Cooper, Peter

Peter (1791-1883), an American inventor, manufacturer, capitalist, and philanthropist. He was a native of New York. He had a very meager common school education. His father was a hat-maker, and he himself learned the trade of coachmaking. Among his inventions were a cloth-shearing machine and various mechanical devices. He manufactured glue for many years. He constructed the first locomotive engine built in America. He took interest in the Erie canal, in the first Atlantic cable, and was the first to roll wrought iron beams for fireproof structures. In 1876 he received 100,000 votes as the presidential candidate of the Independent party. He will be remembered as the founder of Cooper Union, which see.