A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for Harry Clay Cooper
Newspaper clipping (newspaper and date not identified, but another small clipping identifies the wedding date as 16 Feb 1890, which was, indeed, a Sunday) from Katherine Cooper's scrapbook in the John Wilson Papers (BANC MSS C-B 420, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA):
COOPER--DENNIS.
Two Santa Cruz Society People Married in Berkeley Sunday.
On Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Mrs. Katarine M. [sic] Dennis, daughter of Mrs. Mary E. Wakeman, of this city, was married at Peralta Park, North Berkeley, to Harry C. Cooper, third son of William F. Cooper, an old and highly-esteemed citizen of Santa Cruz.
Mrs. Dennis has resided for several years in Santa Cruz, and, during all that time, her social and literary talent, her good taste and her activity and energy have been used in the furtherance of church work, of public-spirited movements and also in the large social circle which she adorns. She has been an active member of Santa Cruz Parlor, N. D. G. W. [Native Daughters of the Golden West] from its inception, and has held the office of District Deputy and other honorable positions.
Harry C. Cooper is well known in Santa Cruz, having been born and brought up in this city. He is a successful merchant, a young man of the highest character whose integrity and uprightness have never yet been questioned. Although quiet and reserved in demeanor he is a social favorite, and there is a wide circle of friends and relatives to wish for Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Cooper all the happiness which springs from a true union. It is pleasant to know that they will live here and that, through them, one more Santa Cruz home will make a charming social center.
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 5 Feb 1943, p. 1 (obtained from Newspapers.com):
H. C. Cooper Of Old S. C. Family Dies
Harry C. Cooper, a native of Santa Cruz and a member of the William Cooper family, closely identified with the early history of the city, passed away in Oakland February fourth, at the age of 80 years.
Harry Cooper was elected recorder of Santa Cruz county in 1898 and held that office for 16 years. He was chief deputy recorder of Alameda county for many years, an office he held up to the time of his death.
He was a member of Santa Cruz lodge, F. & A. M. [Free and Accepted Masons], and served as the treasurer for a number of years.
His father, the late William Cooper, and family lived on Front street, which was then the main street of the town. The property ran through to Pacific avenue, where a large orchard was located.
Father Was First Mayor
Old-timers remember the old Cooper store, which was candle-lighted at first, and then kerosene lamps were installed as a great modern improvement. The father, William Cooper, was the first mayor of Santa Cruz.
For many years, Harry Cooper and his brother, Frank, operated a book and stationery store on Pacific avenue.
Given To City
Part of the present site of the court house was given to the city by the Cooper family, and Cooper street was named in their honor.
Mr. Cooper visited Santa Cruz a few months ago.
He is survived by his widow, Evva M. Cooper, and a daughter, Mrs. Helen Dingwall.
Services, conducted by Santa Cruz lodge, F. & A. M., will be held in the Wessendorf mortuary Monday, February 8, at 1:30 p. m.
Private inurnment will follow.
Harry was married to Evva Marguerite Love in 1934, according to the Bemis Mohr Murray family tree on Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/25909694/person/13894041885/facts). Also, middle name of Clay comes from there (most sources just have middle initial). Evva had previously been married to Ernest Hudson Bemis and had four children with him. Evva donated most of the John Wilson Papers to the Bancroft Library of the University of California at Berkeley.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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