BIOGRAPHY: Joshua M. COOPER, A.M., M.D., Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 158-9
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JOSHUA M. COOPER, A.M., M.D., a surgeon and physician of large experience and 
extensive practice, now resident of Johnstown, is a son of James and Elizabeth 
A. (Boyd) Cooper, and was born in Jenner township, Somerset county, 
Pennsylvania, April 29, 1844. His father, James Cooper, was a son of Joshua 
Cooper, who was born in County Tyrone, North Ireland, in which country their 
family was well connected and respectable. Joshua Cooper, Sr., came from Ireland 
to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, at the age of eight years. He married Jane 
Boyd, and died when their son, James, was but seventeen years of age. James 
Cooper took care of his father's family, and after teaching school for a time, 
went to Ben's Creek furnace, contracting for the delivery of the ore. He 
afterwards managed Washington furnace and then served as manager of Cambria 
furnace until it went out of blast in 1860. In that year the Cambria Iron 
company made him heir farm and stable superintendent, which position he held 
until his death, June 8, 1887. He owned the site of Coopersdale, which was named 
after him, and was a very energetic and active business man. He was a republican 
and a methodist, and took and active part in the interest of his party and his 
church. His life was such as to command respect and win friendship. Just, honest 
and fearless, he was a born leader and exercised a controlling influence in his 
community. At his death he left a priceless heritage to his children, that of a 
spotless reputation. He married Elizabeth A. Boyd, who died September 8,1894, 
and their surviving children are: Dr. Joshua M.; Maggie J., wife of D. A. 
Harris; Kizzie E., married to N. B. Griffith; Emma L., wife of C. H. Loughery; 
and Anson B., now holding his father's position as superintendent of farms and 
stables for the Cambria Iron company.
     Dr. Joshua M. Cooper received his early education in the common schools of 
the county and the public schools of Johnstown, attended Latrobe academy, at 
Westmoreland county, and took the full course of Duff's Commercial college of 
Pittsburgh. He then taught a term of school at what is now Coopersdale, and in 
the ensuing summer entered Allegheny college, of Meadville, this State, from 
which he received the degree of A M. Leaving college he read medicine with Dr. 
John Lowman, of Johnstown, and in the fall of 1866 entered Jefferson Medical 
college of Philadelphia. From which time-honored institution he was graduated in 
the class of 1868. Immediately after graduation he opened an office at Canton, 
Ohio, which he left two years later to locate at Erie, where he remained six 
years and was surgeon at that place, and during that time, of the Erie and 
Pittsburg Railroad company. Leaving Erie, in 1876, on account of the rigorous 
climate, Dr. Cooper resided for two years at Braddock, Allegheny county, as 
physician and surgeon of the Edgar Thompson Steel company, and then removed to 
Meadville, this State, where he practiced eighteen months. At the end of that 
time, in 1879, he came to Johnstown, where he built up a fine practice and 
secured quite a valuable property, which was nearly all swept away in the great 
flood. After the flood he returned to Meadville and practiced there up to 
January, 1895, when he located in Pittsburg, remaining in that city till June, 
1896. He then returned to Johnstown, where he is now engaged in active practice.
     On December 15, 1869, Dr. Cooper married Salome McFarland, a daughter of 
John McFarland, a prominent merchant of Meadville, Crawford county. To their 
union were born three children: Lizzie McFarland, who passed away at eleven 
years of age; John Bertram, who died at eight years of age; and James deceased 
in infancy.
     Dr. Cooper is a republican in politics, and a member of Council, No. 401, 
Royal Arcanum. He has made a specialty for some years of throat and lung 
diseases, having completed a course in the Philadelphia Polyclinic, and is a 
surgeon of high standing for coolness and skill. Dr. Cooper has devoted his 
active life strictly to the duties of his profession. He is a member of the 
Cambria County Medical society, the Pennsylvania State Medical society, and the 
American Medical association.