COOPER, Peter, American manufacturer, inventor and philanthropist : b. New York, 12 Feb. 1791; d. there, 4 April 1883. His early education was of the scantiest description, and in boyhood he assisted his father in making hats, at 17 learning the trade of coachmaking. He subsequently invented a cloth-shearing machine and engaged in various occupations, finally settling upon the manufacture of glue, which he carried on for half a century. About 1830 he became interested in iron manufacture and in 1845 removed his iron business from New York to Trenton, N. J., and was the first to roll wrought iron beams for fire-proof structures. In 1830 he built from his own designs the first locomotive engine ever constructed in America. He was also interested in the canal system of his native State, and, at a later date, in tele graphic communications, being president of sev eral telegraph companies. He took an active share in the enterprise which resulted in laying the first Atlantic cable. In 1876 he was nom inated for the presidency of the United States by the independent party, receiving nearly 100,000 votes at the autumn elections. In 1854
he established in New York the well-known Cooper Union (q.v.). He published