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Mark A. Cooper letters to Emily Branham
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Mark A. Cooper letters to Emily Branham | |
| Creator: Cooper, Mark A. (Mark Anthony), 1800-1885 | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1854-1855 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 1 folder(s) (3 letters) | |
| Collection Number: ms1446 | |
| Repository: Hargrett Library | |
Collection Description
Historical Note
Mark Anthony Cooper - a soldier, lawyer, politician, farmer, and entrepreneur - is best remembered as an industrialist whose ironworks was one of the leading businesses in antebellum northwest Georgia. He founded the town of Etowah in Bartow County. (...) Cooper was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1838 as a states rights Whig and in 1842 as a Democrat. In 1840 he lost his bid for reelection but was chosen to fill the unexpired term of William C. Dawson, who had resigned. Six months into his last term, Cooper himself resigned to run unsuccessfully for governor. Moving to Bartow County in 1842, Cooper embarked on his most ambitious enterprise. Believing the area's mineral resources could bring in more wealth than "King Cotton," he partnered with the pioneer ironmaster Moses Stroup to establish the Etowah Manufacturing and Mining Company and the town of Etowah and undertook a lifelong campaign to promote the economic development of northwest Georgia.
"Mark Anthony Cooper (1800-1885)" from the New Georgia Encyclopedia (Accessed March 5, 2009)
For more information, see the article Mark Anthony Cooper (1800-1885) in the New Georgia Encyclopedia and his congressional biography.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of three letters and one envelope from Mark A. Cooper (1800-1885) of Etowah, Georgia, to his sister Mrs. Emily Branham of Eatonton, Georgia. The letters, dated December 27, 1854, March 3, 1855, and July 18, 1855, discuss family matters, problems, and business transactions as Cooper seeks to straighten out some family difficulties. The envelope bears a fine embossment advertising Cooper's manufactory.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Mark A. Cooper letters to Emily Branham, ms 1446. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
Finding Aid Publication
Finding aid prepared on: 2014.