Later life Joseph Alexander Cooper

cooper, photographed in 1906

in october 1867, cooper among candidates considered soon-to-be-vacant u.s. senate seat of david t. patterson, legislature elected brownlow. in may 1869, cooper attended contentious state republican party convention, wrought consistent infighting between supporters of senter , supporters of william b. stokes. when alfred cate, roderick r. butler, , thomas h. pearne scuffled on chairman s gavel, frustrated cooper restored control , convinced delegates adjourn day in order cool off. told delegates, go, , drink less bad whiskey , more capable of doing business. later year, president ulysses s. grant appointed cooper internal revenue collector knoxville district. held position until 1879, when removed following intraparty power struggle.

in 1880, cooper moved stafford county, kansas, became involved in farming, , supported local republican party candidates. shortly after arrival in stafford county, appointed moderator of south central baptist association of kansas, position held until 1909. on april 3, 1891, injured in city of larned in pawnee county when struck railroad car, though recovered. died @ home near st. john on may 20, 1910. body returned knoxville, tennessee, interred in knoxville national cemetery.