Background
Henry Ernest Cooper, of New England ancestry, was born on August 28, 1857 in New Albany, Indiana, United States. He was the son of William Giles Cooper and Harriet A. (Weller) Cooper.
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Henry Ernest Cooper
Edit ProfileEducation
Henry was educated in the schools of Boston and graduated from Boston University in 1878 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In the same year he was admitted to the bar.
Career
Cooper's first professional employment was with a syndicate organized in Boston for the construction of a railroad in the southwestern part of the United States. Through this circumstance he became a resident of San Diego, California, where he was for a time attorney for the Santa Fe Railroad. During the “boom” in that section he organized an abstract and title company and made some real- estate investments.
Cooper first visited Hawaii in 1890, returning there a year later with his family to take up his residence. During the stormy reign of Queen Liliuokalani (1891 - 1893), he became a member of the annexation party. On January 14, 1893, he was chairman of the Citizens' Committee of Safety which organized the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. On the day of the overthow, he read from the steps of the government building the proclamation of the Provisional Government. His services in this movement were rewarded by his appointment as one of the judges of the circuit court for the island of Oahu, a position which he filled with satisfaction.
In November 1895 he was appointed minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Hawaii and entered upon eight years of service in the executive branch of the government, during which period he administered, at one time or another, either regularly or ad interim, most of the important executive offices, including those of acting president of the Republic and acting governor of the territory. He held as many as three positions simultaneously. On one occasion he was minister of foreign affairs, superintendent of public instruction, and acting president; at another time he was secretary of the territory, superintendent of public works, and treasurer ad interim. He clearly demonstrated his capacity for effective administration of public office.
As minister of foreign affairs Cooper had to carry on a diplomatic controversy with Japan, arising mainly from the attempt of the Hawaiian government to limit the immigration of Japanese laborers into Hawaii, and to handle the somewhat delicate relations between Hawaii and the United States during the years 1896-1898. In the Japanese controversy—which was never judicially settled on its merits—he maintained that Hawaii’s position was correct in its entirety and only consented to the payment of an indemnity in order to clear the way for annexation to the United States. He was the first secretary of the Territory of Hawaii (1900 - 1903) and was one of the two men most seriously considered by President Roosevelt for appointment as governor in 1903.
After retirement from public office in that year, he engaged in the practise of law. He was the first chairman of the board of regents at the College (now University) of Hawaii (1907 - 1914). From 1910 to 1914 he was first judge of the first circuit court (Oahu) and then retired permanently to private life. The last years of his life were spent on his walnut ranch in California.
Achievements
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Henry Ernest Cooper became prominent in Hawaiian politics, being about the only important leader in the revolutionary movement who was not born in Hawaii or long resident in the country. He helped to organize the revolution which deposed the queen and set up a republican government. It is believed that he, more than anyone else, was responsible for the decision of the Hawaiian government to disregard neutrality at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War and to place Hawaii squarely on the side of the United States. He also had an important part in the foundation of the College (now University) of Hawaii.
Politics
Cooper was ardently devoted to the policy of annexation and he sought in every proper way to promote American interests.
Membership
Cooper was active in Freemasonry.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
"He is positive and active and as a rule has progressive views on public matters. ”
Connections
On October 2, 1883, Cooper was married to Mary E. Porter; eight children were born to them.
References
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Born
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Died
May 14, 1929 (aged 71) -
Nationality
American