Orleans

COOPER, Alanson Lawrence

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 80-81 
(portrait p 81)

Alanson Lawrence COOPER, of Newport [Orleans County, Vermont], was born 14 
March 1824 in Rochester [Windsor County, Vermont], son of Silas and Rosalinda 
(HUBBARD) COOPER, and is a lineal descendant of the seventh generation of 
John COOPER, who came from England previous to 1636, and settled at Cambridge 
[Middlesex County], Massachusetts. His elementary training was received in 
the common and select schools of Rochester, and he also studied for a short 
time at Newbury Seminary. He taught several terms in Pomfret and Rochester 
[both in Windsor County, Vermont], also in Cayuga and Wayne Counties, New 
York.

Entering the Vermont Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1846, 
Mr. COOPER was stationed in several towns in Vermont, but in 1856 was obliged 
from ill health to retire from the work. In 1857 he entered Garrett Biblical 
Institution, Evanston [Cook County], Illinois, where he graduated in 1859, 
after devoting himself especially to theological and biblical branches of 
study. Previous to his graduation he joined the Wisconsin Conference, but 
later he was transferred to that of Vermont and was stationed at Woodstock 
[Windsor County], where he continued for two years. Since that time he has 
filled many of the first positions in the conference as pastor and presiding 
elder, and by his conscientious ministry has won the approval of all 
associated with him.

In 1863-1864 he was stationed at Montpelier [Washington County], and while 
there Mr. COOPER was elected chaplain of the House of Representatives. 
During the Civil War he was busily engaged in charitable efforts to improve 
the condition of our gallant soldiers in the field, and in the hospital at 
Montpelier. He received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1880, and nine 
years later, that of Doctor of Divinity, from the Garrett Biblical Institute, 
and has been occasional contributor to the Vermont Christian Messenger and 
Zion's Herald. He is also endowed with some talent for poetical composition. 
He represented the Vermont Conference as a delegate to the general 
conference of his church in Chicago in 1868.

On 17 May 1853 he [Alanson Lawrence COOPER] married Lucinda M., daughter of 
Jeremiah and Serepta (HINCHER) ATKINS. Their children were: Mary E., who 
married Rev. C. M. WARD; Emma Louise, who married Rev. Carlos L. ADAMS; Alice 
Etta, who died 12 February 1872; and Rosa May. Mr. COOPER is an adherent of 
the Republican party and a strong Prohibitionist. He has held the office of 
superintendent of schools in Cabot and Springfield, and has been trustee of 
the Vermont Methodist Seminary for many years. He was one of the charter 
members of the State Sunday School Association, and was president of the 
association in 1875-1876.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly