This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: COPELAND, COCHRAN, STRONG, COOPER Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/ikJ.2ACIB/1195 Message Board Post: Lookup done by non related volunteer. History of Jackson Co., MI. 1881 pages 730 and 733. Inter-State Pub. Co., Chicago, USA Mattie C. STRONG, physician and surgeon, was born in Newbern, Armaugh Co., Ireland, Jan. 7, 1845. Her mother emigrated to the United States when Mattie was three years old; her father died in Ireland when she was two years and a half old. Her mother, Mary (COPELAND) COCHRAN was left with a family of 11 children to bring up and educate; and although her husband left means enough to come to this country and give her children an education, it was a trial that few women would have undertaken; but with a Christian spirit and a strong will, she overcame all obstacles, and can be proud of the well-fought battle. In 1848 she took passage in a sailing vessel with her 11 children and landed in Quebec after a voyage of 38 days. From there she went to Toronto; thence to Livingston County, and remained there three years; thence to Watertown, Clinton Co., where they remained 16 years. Mrs. STRONG attended the seminary at Lansing and Ann Arbor several terms, but did not graduate at e! ither. In 1868 she married Reuben E. STRONG, a native of Cattaraugus Co., N.Y., son of Ezra B. STRONG, formerly of Vermont. Previous to her marriage she taught school six consecutive years. Three years after her marriage, she commenced reading medicine with her sister, Mrs. Dr. COOPER, of East Saginaw, who was a graduate of the Woman's College of Philadelphia, Pa., with whom she remained one year, then entered the University at Ann Arbor in 1872, where she atteded a full course, and in the spring came to Jackson, where she pursued her studies under Dr. CHITTOCK's instruction through the summer vacation, and the fall following again attended lectures. The following spring she continued her studies with Dr. CHITTOCK and the following winter attended another course and graduated March 24, 1875. She has a brother who is a physician, Isaac COCHRAN, who was a graduate of Ann Arbor in 1868. She had two brothers in the 23d Mich. Regt. Vol. Samuel entered as a private and was p! romoted to Orderly Sergeant, and Isaac came out as 2d Lieutenant.