Colorado
Gov. Job Adams Cooper
- January 8, 1889 - January 13, 1891
- Republican
- November 6, 1843
- January 20, 1899
- Illinois
- Knox College
- Married Jane O. Barnes; four children
- Army
About
JOB ADAMS COOPER, Colorado’s sixth governor was born in Greenville, Illinois, on November 6, 1843. He attended Knox College, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree. His education was interrupted by the Civil War, and Cooper enlisted and served in Company C of the 137th Illinois Infantry. After his military service, he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. Cooper entered politics in 1868, when he was elected clerk and recorder of Bond County. He served in that position for four years. Moving to Denver in 1872, Cooper practiced law, was the vice president of the German National Bank, and became a success in the cattle industry. Cooper won the 1888 Republican gubernatorial nomination and was elected Governor of Colorado. During his tenure, an orphan’s home in Denver was founded, a reformatory school in Chaffee County was established, and 13 new counties were created. Cooper did not seek reelection and left office in January 1891. He returned to his law practice and entered into the construction business. He built the Cooper Building in Denver, which is considered an architectural gem today. Cooper also served as president of the chamber of commerce from 1893 until his retirement in 1897. Governor Job Cooper died at the young age of 55, on January 20, 1899 and is buried at the Riverside Cemetery, in Denver.
Source
Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 1, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.
