Dear Participants in the COOPER Surname Discussion Group, I am searching for more information regarding COOPERs who were tobacconists, cigar-makers, tobacco manufacturers or tobacco growers. Indeed, COOPERs in any tobacco-related occupation would be of interest in my research. My third-great grandfather William COOPER was listed in the 1850 Census of Greenup County, Kentucky as a tobacconist. A John M. COOPER was enumerated in the 1860 Census of Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky as a tobacconist. A Charles COOPER, tobacconist, was included in the 1836/37 edition of the Cincinnati, Ohio City Directory. A Thomas COOPER was described as the owner of a "segar factory" (cigar-making establishment) in Baltimore, Maryland, also in 1836/37. Finally, Judah Paddock COOPER and Jacob COOPER were farmers in Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut from the early 1820's until their deaths: Jacob COOPER in 1842 and Judah COOPER in 1862. The Suffield area of the Connecticut River Valley was such a major tobacco-growing region that very few Suffield farmers were NOT growing tobacco. Therefore, it is highly probable that Jacob COOPER and Judah Paddock COOPER were tobacco-growers. The first cigar-making factory in the United States was located at Suffield, Connecticut, beginning its operations in 1810. Thank you for any comments or information! I am earnestly trying to learn more about the COOPERs mentioned in this post. Thanks! Randal W. Cooper in Ohio