Peter Cooper was born in New York City to John Cooper, a hatmaker, and his wife. The family moved frequently in search of better economic opportunities.

Cooper received less than a year of formal schooling due to his family's financial struggles and nomadic lifestyle. He was largely self-taught.

At the age of 17, Cooper began an apprenticeship as a coachmaker in New York City. This experience instilled in him a strong work ethic and practical mechanical skills.

Cooper continued his apprenticeship as a cloth-dressing machine maker. This role provided additional technical experience and expanded his mechanical knowledge.

Cooper sold his machine for shearing cloth. This marked his first successfull entrepreneurial venture.

Cooper began working as a cabinet maker and then transitioned to glue manufacturing. This period marked his first independent business venture and laid the foundation for his future industrial endeavors.