BRETHREN HISTORICAL LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES

Title: Rev. H. Austin Cooper Collection

Series: 18/

Boxes: 4 record center cartons, 3 regular Hollinger boxes

History:

Herbert Austin Cooper was born April 20, 1911, in Brunswick, MD, to Herbert E. and Lillie Mae Orrison Cooper. He was married to Virginia A. Younkins Cooper, and had two sons, Lynn A. Cooper and Larry C. Cooper.

He graduated valedictorian from Brunswick High School in Brunswick, MD. Cooper earned a bachelor’s of sacred literature from Bethany Biblical Seminary, Chicago, IL, and a bachelor’s from Bridgewater College. He conducted his post-graduate studies at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.

During his long and distinguished career, Rev. Cooper was pastor of the Hastings Church of the Brethren, Chicago, IL; Stoney Creek Church of the Brethren in OH; Pleasantview and the Sharpsburg Churches of the Brethren in MD; Brothersvalley Church of the Brethren, Brotherton, PA.; Salem Church of the Brethren and Reiman Church of the Brethren, both of Sommerset, PA; Barren Ridge Church of the Brethren, Staunton, VA; Pipe Creek Church of the Brethren, New Windsor, MD; Bush Creek Church of the Brethren, Monrovia, MD; and returned again to Pleasantview Church of the Brethren, Burkittsville, MD, from where he retired.

He was a founding member of Camp Woodbrook, near Mount Airy, and Camp Peniel, Thurmont, both in Maryland, and served as camp director for Camp Harmony at Johnstown, PA; and Camp Bethel, near Natural Chimney, VA, for many years.

Cooper was a member of Frederick (MD) Church of the Brethren and served as secretary of the three districts of the Eastern, Middle and Mid-Atlantic Regions of the Church of the Brethren, and for many years, conducted evangelist services for the Church of the Brethren at large. He served 11 years as chairman for the General Historical Society committee for the Church of the Brethren, Elgin, IL. Cooper helped to organize the reconstruction of Antietam’s Dunker Church in 1962, and also assisted with the Sharpsburg-Antietam Observance of the Battles of South Mountain and Antietam during the 1960s.

H. Austin Cooper was on the Western District Historical Committee, which penned Two Centuries of the Church of the Brethren in Western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950. On his own he wrote four books: The Church of the Singing Hills: A History of the Locust Grove Church of the Brethren, at Linganore Creek, Mt. Airy, Maryland, 1760-1988; Two centuries of Brothersvalley Church of the Brethren, 1762-1962: An Account of the Old Colonial Church, the Stony Creek German Baptist Church; The Church in the Valley: Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1760-1993, Brownsville Heights, Maryland; A Pleasant View: Pleasant View Church of the Brethren, Burkittsville, Maryland.

Rev. H. Austin Cooper passed away on Jan. 22, 1999, at the age of 87. At the time of his death he was a resident at College View Nursing Center, Frederick, MD.

Description of the Records: Research on the history of the Brethren and related topics and localities, and a collection of books of varying topics and dates.

Provenance: Larry C. Cooper (son of Rev. Cooper), of Landenberg, PA, donated these materials to BHLA on April 23, 2011.

Restrictions: All original research in the collection was done by the late Rev. H. Austin Cooper.

Separations: Books relevant to the Church of the Brethren will be added to the library, or sold if two copies are already present in the library. Non-relevant books were discarded.

Processors: Terry Barkley and Virginia Harness

Container List:

Box 1 Folder 1 Ephrata and Snow Hill Cloisters (PA)

2 “Beginnings of the Menno. Church in Mid. and E. MD” by H. A. Cooper

3 Photographs: Churches of the Brethren in Maryland and Pennsylvania

4 Images: Defunct Brethren Congregations in Maryland and Pennsylvania

5 Early Brethren History to 1860

6 “The Importance of Youth in the Early Church” by H. Austin Cooper

7 The Brethren and the Outbreak of the Civil War

8 Brethren Doctrines and Practices during the Civil War

9 “A Brief Outline of the History of the CoB” by H. A. Cooper

10 “A House Divided” by H. Austin Cooper

11 The Church of the Brethren in Maryland

12 History of the Brethren in Frederick County, Maryland

13 The Brethren in Frederick Country, Maryland

14 The Brethren in Washington County, Maryland

15 The Brethren in Hagerstown – Washington County, Maryland

16 Map of Washington County, Maryland (Civil War Sites)

17 Maryland Civil War Newspaper Clippings

18 “The Invasion of Maryland” (Antietam Dunker Church) by H. A. Cooper

19 Images: Lee’s Invasion of Maryland, 1862 (Harper’s Ferry – Antietam)

20 Lee’s 1862 Invasion of Maryland

21 “A Brief Resume of the Battle of South Mountain” by H. A. Cooper

22 Battles of South Mountain and Crampton’s Gap

23 The Mumma Church, Sharpsburg, MD (Dunker Church of Antietam)

24 “Thunder on the Mountain or Antietam Dunker Church” by H. A. Cooper

25 Dunker Church Images: Carlisle Barracks (PA) and the Library of Congress

26 Photographs/Images: Dunker Church of Antietam Battlefield (MD)

27 Photographs: Dunker Church and Antietam Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD

28 Images: Dunker Church, Dunker Church Bible

29 “Stonewall Jackson’s Map, 1862” - Found: Piper Barn, September 19, 1862

30 The Dunker Church of Antietam Battlefield, 1862-1863

31 “Antietam Dunkard Church, 1851-1923”

32 Misc. Articles: Dunker Church of Antietam Battlefield

33 Misc. Papers: Dunker Church of Antietam Battlefield

34 “Antietam Dunkard Church” by H. Austin Cooper

35 “By Antietam Creek” by David Biles

36 The Battle of Antietam, Sharpsburg, MD, Sept. 17, 1862

37 Burning of the Samuel Mumma Buildings, Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862

38 Capt. John A. Tompkins, Co. A, 1^st RI Artillery, Antietam

39 Capt. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (wounded at Antietam, 9/17/1862)

40 Pvt. Thomas J. Sanders, Co. H, 17^th MS Inf. (wounded at Antietam)

41 Maj. Frank Holsinger (1836-1916) – “Woodbury Kid”

42 Chaplain Richard Eddy, 60^th Regiment, NY Volunteers

43 Mrs. George B. McClellan – Garret House, Pleasant Valley, MD, Oct. 1862

44 Daniel Miller House/Meetinghouse (Brethren), Antietam Battlefield

45 Henry Neikirk House, Antietam Battlefield

46 Samuel Poffenberger House, Antietam Battlefield

47 Antietam Battlefield Hospitals

48 Pipe Creek Church, September 19, 1862 (Elder D.P. Snyder)

49 Abraham Lincoln’s visit to Antietam Battlefield, Oct. 1862

50 Lincoln’s Antietam Battlefield visit, Oct. 1862

51 Abraham Lincoln’s Virginia Ancestors

52 “Was Lincoln a Dunker?” by Floyd Mallott

53 The Lincoln Library and Museum, Fort Wayne, IN

54 John Lewis, Mark Twain, and the Antietam Dunker Church Bible

55 President William McKinley’s visit to Antietam Battlefield, c. 1900

56 Antietam National Cemetery and Monuments

57 “Report on the Old Dunker Church…at Antietam Natl. Battlefield…” 1951

58 Mumma Dunker Church Restoration, 1961-1962

59 Dunker Church of Antietam Battlefield Restoration Project, c. 1951-1964

60 The Dunker Church: NPS Historic Structure Report, Part 1

61 Dedication of the Reconstructed Dunker Church, Sept. 2, 1962

62 Memorial Day Ceremonies, Antietam Natl. Cemetery, May 27, 1974

63 Dunker Church Commemorative Worship Services, c. 1971-1984

64 The Battle of Piedmont Virginia, June 5, 1964

Box 2 Folder 1 Photographs: Misc. Maryland and Pennsylvania scenes

2 Photographs/Images: Miscellaneous

3 “An Historical Sketch of the State of MD, 1632-1741” by H.A. Cooper

4 350^th Anniversary of Maryland

5 “Our Earliest Roads” by H.A. Cooper

6 Items taken from a 1776 Bible

7 “Elder George Adam Martin-Frontier Preacher” by H.A. Cooper

8 “Important Frontier Migrations from Frederick Co., MD” H.A. Cooper

9 “The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal” by H.A. Cooper

10 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (Smithsonian Institution)

11 Washington County – Hagerstown, MD

12 “Erection of Frederick County, MD” by H.A. Cooper

13 Post Offices of Frederick Co., MD, for 1887

14 Maps: Frederick, MD (2), and the State of Maryland

15 Frederick, Maryland

16 Stone Barracks, Frederick, Maryland

17 The Reconstruction of Fort Frederick, Washington Co., Maryland

18 Bedford and Somerset Court Records (PA), 1782-1818

19 Somerset County, PA (Kentucky migration, etc.)

20 Iowa migrations from Orange Township, Somerset Co., PA, c. 1855-1908

21 “Laurel Messenger” (Historical and Genealogical Soc. of Somerset Co., PA)

22 “The Town of Brunswick” by Carroll Ayres

23 “A Chron. Hist. of Berlin-Brunswick, MD” by R.G. Barger & H.A. Cooper

24 History of Brunswick, Maryland

25 History of Brunswick, Maryland: various H.A. Cooper writings

26 “A Brief History of Berlin – Brunswick, MD, 1634-1976” by H.A. Cooper

27 Old Methodist Church, Brunswick, MD (First United Methodist Church)

28 “The Berlin Ferry” by H.A. Cooper

29 Dedication Ceremonies: Brunswick Bridge, July 30, 1955

30 History of Boy Scouting in Brunswick, MD

31 Auction: Wm. L. Gross, Gen. Merch./Gross Bros., Brunswick, MD, 1987

32 Brunswick, MD – Commission on History and Distinguished Citizens

33 Distinguished Citizens of Brunswick, MD, 1981, 1983

34 Burkittsville, MD: Historic Documents

35 Burkittsville, MD – 1839 Court Docket

36 Western Pennsylvania Surveys

37 Kentucky Petition, 1780

38 Migrations – Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky

39 Hancock Historical Society, Hancock, Maryland

40 140^th Anniv., Keedysville Charge, Church of the UBC, 1780-1920

41 Salem United Methodist Church, Keedysville, Maryland

42 “Historical Sketch: People and Geography, Lovettsville, VA” - H.A. Cooper

43 St. James Reformed Church, Lovettsville, Virginia

44 Evangelical Lutheran Church Zion, Middletown, Maryland

45 Trinity Lutheran Church, Knoxville, MD

46 “A Brief Hist. Sketch of Knoxville Trinity Luth. Church” by H.A. Cooper

47 “The 47 Charter Members of the Wolfsville Lutheran Church”

48 The Rip Raps at Solomon’s Gap

49 Arnold Family (Samuel)

50 Arnold Family: John George and Daniel Arnold

51 Cable Family (Abraham, Benjamin and Joseph)

52 Carter and Holder Families: Isaac Carter, Jr., and Mary Ann Holder

53 Dick-Faw-Lowe Families

54 “A Farmer’s Answered Prayer” (Roger M. Geisbert) by Paul G. Geisbert

55 Harshbarger Family (Jacob and Maria Eva)

56 Hunsacker Family

57 Kimmel, Philip

58 Knepper Family

59 Lehman, Christian and Elizabeth Venda

60 Miller Family (Peter)

61 Newcomer-Weber Families

62 Peterman, Fred (Sharpsburg, MD)

63 Rhoads (Rhoades), Daniel and Henry

64 Rhoades Family: Henry Rhoades Bible, 1763

65 Rhoades, Joseph & Family (files of Wilma Hetrick Koelling)

66 “A History of the Sayler Family” by James Lanning Sayler

67 Rinehart, William Henry (Maryland sculptor)

68 Roth, Henry, Sr. and Jr.

69 Smith, Conrad (Smith Family)

70 Suman, Peter B., Trial and Execution, 1781

Box 3 Folder 1 Personal Items: H. Austin Cooper

2 Personal Correspondence, c. 1964-1995

3 Bible Lands Tour (H. Austin Cooper and Virginia Cooper), 1977

4 Scouters Training Camp, Laurel Hill State Park, PA

5 Congregational obituaries – Rev. H.A. Cooper

6 “Brethren History Lives in My Heart” by H.A. Cooper

7 Brethren Historical Committee (1)

8 Brethren Historical Committee (2)

9 “A Brief Outline of the History of the CoB,” 1959, by H.A. Cooper

10 Beginnings of the Church of the Brethren – H.A. Cooper

11 “A Roving Reporter Writes about Hist. of the CoB”-Susan K. Thomas, 1955

12 Excerpts of Brethren History compiled by H. Austin Cooper

13 Rev. Cooper, Chp. preacher, Fahrney-Keedy Home, Boonsboro, MD, 1984

14 Church hist. class - H.A. Cooper, New Windsor, MD, BVS Summer Unit

15 Church Choral Music

16 “Does the Bible Sanction War?” by M. Guy West (img. H.A. Cooper), 1958

17 German hymns and choruses (Herrite Meeting House)

18 “Below the Mason-Dixon Line” by H.A. Cooper

19 Photograph: Chorus pres., Blue Rdg. College, New Windsor, MD, 1924

20 The Gospel Visitor fragments, c. 1862-1865

21 Mural History of the CoB, Camp Alexander Mack, Milford, IN

22 The Kentucky Churches (Brethren)

23 Barren Ridge CoB, Rt. 3, Staunton, VA

24 “A Century of Light and Life,” Barren Ridge CoB, VA, 1865-1965

25 Beaver Creek CoB, MD – materials by H.A. Cooper

26 Beaver Dam CoB, Frederick Co., MD

27 Beaver Run CoB, oldest Brethren church in WV

28 Broad Run CoB, MD, earliest list of members, 1776

29 Brothersvalley CoB, Berlin, PA

30 “A History of the Brothersvalley CoB” by H.A. Cooper, 1951

31 “Two Centuries of Brothersvalley” by H.A. Cooper (partial & related writ.)

32 Images: Two Centuries of Brothersvalley CoB, 1762-1962, by H.A. Cooper

33 Brethren ministers and elders, Brothersvalley, 1762-1962

34 Brownsville CoB, MD (1)

35 Brownsville CoB, MD (2)

36 Brownsville CoB, MD (3)

37 Church programs, Brownsville CoB (MD), c. 1920s

38 Member lists: Brownsville, Broad Run, and Pleasant View CoB, 1879-1896

39 Congregational lists: Brownsville, Broad Run and Pleasant View CoB

40 Chapters from The Church of the Singing Hills, Part 1, by H.A. Cooper

41 Chapters from The Church of the Singing Hills, Part 2, by H.A. Cooper

42 “Church of the Singing Hills” by H.A. Cooper, newspaper article, 1989

43 Bush Creek CoB: Plans for 150^th Anniversary (1992)

44 The Glades Meetinghouse (Brethren)

45 Grove Church (Brethren), 1860

46 Kimmel Church (Stony Creek), summer of 1858 (Brethren)

47 Longmeadow CoB, Hagerstown, MD (1)

48 Longmeadow CoB, Hagerstown, MD (2)

49 “Manor CoB – Historical Sketch” by H.A. Cooper

50 Meadow Branch CoB, Westminster, MD

51 “The Middle River Congregation” (CoB) by John S. Flory (VA)

52 Monocacy Congregation (MD) Council Meeting Books, 1862-1865, 1880s

53 Monocacy Congregation (MD) Council Meeting Book, 1882-1883

54 Piney Creek CoB, Taneytown, MD, 1989

55 Conclusion of the Great Meeting at Pipe Creek (MD), May 25-26, 1787

56 Germ. Bapt. Brethren Annual Meeting, Pipe Creek (MD), June 11-13, 1867

57 Maps of Pleasant Valley – Rohrersville, MD

58 Images: Pleasant View CoB (Rev. John Bowlus/Guyton Family)

59 Pleasant View CoB, Burkittsville, MD

60 Pleasant View CoB Homecoming, November 13-14, 1993

61 Pricetown Meeting House (1777), oldest unaltered CoB in America

62 Stone Bridge CoB (100^th Anniversary, Sept. 12, 1971)

Box 4 Item 1 Calendars, diaries and “The Brethren Reminder” – H.A. Cooper, c. 1944-85

2 Small New Testament belonging to Rev. Cooper, 1922

Box 5 Folder 1 Brethren almanacs and magazines

2 Civil War – related publications

3 Maryland – Antietam Battlefield booklets

4 Prather, Benjamin F., Co. K, 16^th Reg., GA Volunteers, CSA (d. 10/9/1862)

5 “Illustrated Atlas of Washington Co., Maryland” (1877), photocopy excerpts

Box 6 Item 1 Unidentified group photograph, camp scene, c. 1930s or 1940s

2 Gathland St. Park, 1926: Vesper Service-Rev. H. Erdman, Burkittsville, MD

3 Unidentified CoB AC group photo, c. 1920s or 1930s (Hershey Park, PA?)

4 Unidentified CoB Annual Conf. group photograph, n.d., c. 1930s

5 CoB Annual Conf. group photo, N. Manchester, IN, June 12-19, 1926

6 J. Miller Ledger, c.1851-61, Antiet. Crk., Boonsboro-Williamsport Rd., MD

Box 7 Item 1 Pleasant View CoB Minutes/Records (Burkittsville, MD)

2 “Death Book”, Sharpsburg, MD (1831-1901) – Fred Peterman

3 “Daily Register of P.S. 13, 3^rd Dist., Frederick Co., MD,” c. 1864-1868

4 “A History of Flat Rock CoB” by Jacob David Wine (1962)

5 “A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs…,” BPH 1898

6 “A Coll. of Psalms, Hymns…,” James Quinter, Covington, OH, 1869

7 W. G. Schroek’s Diary, 1877 (purchased at Meyers Dale)

8 Personal diary/journal of Rev. H.A. Cooper, R.F.D. 2, Berlin, PA c. 1960-68

9 “Minister’s Manual,” Brethren Publishing House, Elgin, IL, 1946

10 “Berlin, PA, 1837-1937,” Centen. Gen. Comm., July 1937, Souvenir Book

11 “A Textbook History of Frederick Co.” by Paul P. & Rita S. Gordon

12 “Brunswick Diamond Jubilee Celeb., 1890-1965,” Brunswick, MD (1965)

13 “The History of Brunswick, 1834-1982” by Ricky Heffner, c. 1982

14 “Brunswick: 100 Years of Memories,” Brunswick Hist. Commission, 1990

15 Bush Crk.-Pleasant Hill CoB, Monrovia, MD-Record 12/3/1855-11/19/1892