Thomas B. Cooper, the son of Peter and Susanna Cooper, was born Dec. 29, 1823, at. Coopersburg, Lehigh Co., Pa, He, after a preliminary course study, received a thorough scholastic training at the Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, and, choosing medicine as a profession, entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated on the 1st of March, 1843. He was, on the 14th of October, 1845, Married to Miss Elmina C. Shamtz, whose children are Alice Blanche, Oscar F., Tilghman S., Llewellyn H., Thomas E. and Elmina.

Dr. Cooper began his professional career at Coopersburg, and very speedily achieved both reputation and an extended practice. His love for his profession was strong, and his ability to respond to the demands of a great umber of patients so remarkable that his field of labor was supplied on his death by four physicians, with practice sufficient for each.

The doctor, as a relaxation from the arduous duties of his profession, devoted much attention to the political issues of the day. As a Democrat, he was in 1860 elected to Congress from the Sixth Congressional District, composed of Lehigh and Bucks Counties, the canvass being a very closely contested one, and success the result or his untiring energy and personal popularity.

Dr. Cooper, in his business methods, was thorough and upright, and in all his professional career keenly alive to the important interests entrusted to his skill and judgment. He possessed a vigorous mind, acute perceptions, and great energy. In his religious preferences he was a Lutheran, having connected himself with that church while a student at Gettysburg. His death occurred April 4,1862, at his home in Cooperburg.