R. Cooper, Jr., Inc.

R. Cooper, Jr., Inc. Soundex Code C160

R. Cooper, Jr., Inc. was said to be the world's largest distributor of General Electric appliances.

The firm was organized in 1927 by Richard Cooper, Jr. to handle General Electric products in Northern Illinois and parts of Wisconsin and Indiana. Cooper was selected by General Electric because of his record as sales agent of the Pacific Boiler Company.

The Cooper firm had an unusual growth during the Great Depression years and it's president was recognized as one of the Midwest's leading sales executive.

Richard Cooper, Jr. came to Chicago from Seattle, Washington in 1913 as an employee of the American Radiator Company. He later was a salesman for a plumbing supplies firm, and in 1920, he became the local sales agent for the Pacific Boiler Company. He was also a Ford dealer for several years.

His wife was Helen Cooper, nee: Helen Michals. Children were: son R. Douglas Cooper of Winnetka, Illinois, daughter, Mrs. Maxine Frank of North Hollywood, California. His sister was Mrs. Jessie Weston of Seattle, Washington and he had four grandchildren.

His obituary ran in the Chicago Tribune, February 4, 1953, page B5.