Obituary

Ruth Schoonover was born in Shemonng County, New York, July 17, 1840, moved with her parents to Cass county, Illinois in 1851, where she was married March 22, 1860 to George L. Cooper, residing there until August 1870, when they came to Kansas.

She was welll known to the older citizens as she came to this country when little had been done in the way of subduing the wild conditions in which the early settlers flund it, consequently she, with her husband, endured all the privations and hardships of pioneer life. They located near the present town of Halstead, only three white women in the neighborhood and Salina, the nearest trading point, until March 1871, when Newton was located. For more than 30 years sharing alike the joys and sorrows of frontier life, of which so many old settlers have experienced. They lived near Halstead about 53 years, when a change of climate was advised by physicians and friends. An overland trip was taken to Colorado and New Mexico, covering eight months which seemed to give the relief she sought. About two years after their return they sold the farm near Halstead and purchased a home near Patterson where they lived until March 1885. Her health failed and and they went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, then in 1896 they went to Friends Woods, Texas. The returned to Halstead and she passed away in about September 3, 1901.

She leaves a husband and one sister. Services were held from the house with Rev. Gray of Burrton presiding. Remains were laid to rest in the Star Cemetery, three miles southwest of Patterson.