| Dr. W. A. H. Coop was born in Crockett County, formerly part of Gibson County, March 29, 1848, the only child reared by W. C. and Frances H. (Fielder) Coop, born in 1811 and 1824 and died in 1878 and 1852 respectively. W. C. Coop was taken from Bedford to Madison County, Tenn., when twelve years of age and remained there one year, then came to Gibson County. He followed farming, boating, and school teaching for a living and became the father of five children. His son, W. A. H. Coop, was educated in the district schools and the academy at Friendship. In 1866 he entered the office of his uncle, Dr. J. R. Fielder, who resided near Grenada, Miss., and began studying medicine. About 1868 he went to Chicago Ill., and took a course of lectures at the Rush Medical College and the next year went to Mississippi and practiced with his uncle for one year. From that time until the fall of 1883 he practiced his profession near Friendship, and at the latter date came to the town. In 1880 and 1881, he took another course of lectures at the Rush Medical College, graduating in the latter year. January 10, 1870 he married Miss M. M. Agee, daughter of J. B. Agee, born near Trenton in June, 1853. They have the following family of children: William B., Francis E., Hester L., Claudius, Cleopatria Maud, and Aubrey E. The Doctor joined the State Medical Association in 1882 and June of the same year was sent as delegate to the American Medical Association at St. Paul, Minn. In 1884 he was sent to Washington, D. C., for the same purpose, and is now a prominent member of that body. The Doctor has always taken all possible means to further advancement of the medical professional and while in school thoroughly prepared himself for surgery. He has performed many intricate and difficult surgical operations. He is an ardent Democrat and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His elder half-brother, Prof. S. S. Coop, is a school teacher by profession. |
