John Obadiah Cooper (1755-1838)
Methodist Hatter, Storekeeper, Brewer & Brick-maker of Newburgh, New York
He was born at Fishkill, New York, and served as a Lieutenant in the Continental Army. After the war he went into business, first in New York then in Peekskill and then in Newburgh. He was successively a hatter, store-keeper, brewer, storekeeper and brick-maker. In all those trades he was aided by his son who founded the Cooper Union.
