Rev. Charles Jacob Cooper, D. D., son of Jacob, was born at Lanark, Upper Saucon township, Lehigh County, April 1, 1847. He received his preliminary schooling in the public schools; attended in 1858, the Allentown Academy, the Bucks County Normal and Classical Institute, 1860-1861; the Allentown Seminary, 1862-1864; Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, 1864-1867, graduating therefrom, and entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1870. From 1870 to 1896, he served as pastor of St. Peters Lutheran church in South Bethlehem, Freemansburg, and Lower Saucon, resigning the latter congregation in 1881. In 1883, he was made the treasurer of Muhlenberg College, removing to Allentown in 1886, where he devoted his time as treasurer and financial agent of Muhlenberg College up to 1905, when he was made treasurer and registrar, serving up to 1907. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Muhlenberg in 1899. On Sept 1. 1907, he assumed the pastorate of the Friedensville Parish. Besides the aforesaid service, he was trustee of Muhlenberg College 1876-1906; secretary of the second conference, ministerium of Pennsylvania; English secretary of the Ministerium, 1884-1885, and president of the Allentown conference from 1911 to April 1914. He also served as school director of the Second Ward, Allentown, for several years, being elected thereto by the Democratic party. October 4, 1870, he married Emma S., daughter of George and Caroline (Jacoby) Knause. Their children are: William H., M. D., married to Harriet Bettis, of Oakmont, Pa.; Rev. Frederick E., married to Rosa M. Richards, of Milwaukee, Wis; Charles J., deceased; Caroline J., married to William H. Pascoe, of Allentown; Emma Malinda, married to Rev. F. King Singiser, of Rangoon, Burmah; Sarah A.; Mary Catharine, deceased; and Anna Rebecca, of Allentown. He resides at 28 South Thirteenth Street, Allentown.