John was born in Marylebone, the son of John and Sophia. He was baptised at St Mary's Church, Paddington Green on 9th May 1851. His father was an oilman.
John grew up in the Kensington area where he worked as a draper's assistant. However by the time he married, he had followed his father into the oil business and ran a shop in Hammersmith. On 18th March 1873, John married Eleanor Mary Cowderoy at Kensington.
Their first son John William was born in 1874, followed by Ernest Alfred in 1875, Arthur in 1877 and Harold in 1880. After Harold, came three daughters, Eleanor, Edith and Frances.
By 1891, the family were living and working in Margate. When John retired, he and his family moved to Hornsey where his second son ran the business aided by his brothers. The family had moved again by 1911, living in Leatherhead.
At the beginning of the war, Arthur the third son, enlisted in 16th London Regiment and was sent to France. Here, he joined 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. In 1916, he was wounded on 1st July during the battle to take Montaubon, on the first day of The Somme. He died of his wounds on 10th July. Arthur was buried in Daours Cemetery (1A 27). Probate was granted to his brother Ernest Alfred Cooper, rifleman Queen's Westminster Rifles. He is remembered on his parents grave at Heene.
By the time of Arthur's death, his parents were living in Bexhill at 29 Linden Road. John's wife Eleanor died in a nursing home in Worthing on 29th March 1929. At the time, the couple were living at 102 Rowlands Road. John died on 15th July 1929.
Probate was granted on 30th September to Ernest Alfred Cooper fruit grower. Effects £200 6s 3d (approx £9K in 2020). John's last address was given as The Old Posting House, Lancing.
The Old Posting House, Lancing