MEREDITH COOPER, Superintendent of Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield. While the beautiful city of Springfield has much to be proud of and many places of exceeding beauty, besides being the capital of one of the finest States in the Union, there are few places so dear to the mass of citizens as is Oak Ridge Cemetery, the home of the dead. That is a pretty old custom of calling the cemetery "God's acre," and it is somehow a comfort to feel the assurance that this small phrase conveys the fact that God watches particularly over the shaded and beautiful ground where rest the sleepers. How more than deserving of honor must be the man to whom the care of this sacred spot is intrusted, and how greatly must he be respected before such a charge is put into his hands. Mr. Cooper has held the office of Superintendent of this beautiful cemetery since 1886, and during that time has grown more and more in favor with those to whom he owes his appointment.

Our subject was born September 11, 1836, in what is now known as Williams Township. His father made a home from new land that he took up, and upon this estate our subject passed his youth, attending the country schools. Being the youngest child born to his parents, he remained at home with them, and when death had robbed him of his father, November 1, 1872, he took charge of the home farm and continued to live with his mother up to the time of her death, in August, 1877. After settling up his father's estate, Mr. Cooper was elected Superintendent of the Sangamon County County House at the election held in 1877, and took charge of his new responsibilities, January 1, 1878. For eight years he was re-elected and finally resigned to accept the position that he now holds. He was elected Tax Collector at one time, and was many times called upon to fill offices of trust.

The subject of our sketch married Miss Mary Emma Watson, of Springfield, March 18, 1875. She is a daughter of William Watson, who came from England many years ago and settled near Springfield. Miss Watson's birth took place in 1850, and she received an excellent education in her native State, continuing to reside there up to the date of her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper has been born one child, Anna L.

Socially, Mr. Cooper is a member of the secret order of Modern Woodmen of America, and stands high throughout the community in which he resides. Oak Ridge Cemetery, of which he has entire control, was first purchased in the month of June, 1855, and in May, 1856, a second purchase was made in all, twenty eight and one-half acres. The land at the time of purchase was rough and heavily wooded. The City Council deemed it advisable to obtain such charter amendments to duly incorporate and set aside Oak Ridge Cemetery as a burial place for all time to come, and its management was vested in a Board of Managers, which are appointed by the council from time to time. The first burial was made in 1858, and a record kept, and on May 24, 1860, the grounds were with solemn and impressive ceremonies dedicated to the dead as Oak Ridge Cemetery. More land has been added from time to time, the enclosure now embracing one hundred and ten acres in all. The number of dead resting there January 1, 1889, was eighty thousand six hundred and sixty-one, including removals from Hutchinson Cemetery and elsewhere. Mr. Cooper was appointed Superintendent by the Board of Managers in 1886, and much credit is due him for his faithful and honest efforts to make this place a fitting spot for the dead, the pride of the city.