Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1043 - 1044

ISAAC N. COOLEY. Among the well-to-do and successful farmers of this county, who have accumulated a competency through their own exertions and economy, and who are carrying on the business of farming and stock-raising in a manner which draws forth praise from everyone, is the subject of this biographical notice, who resides on section 35, in Gypsum Township. He is a native of Indiana, having been born in Bartholomew County, near the city of Columbus, Sept. 30, 1843. He is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Alley) Cooley, who were natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. His father was a farmer by occupation, and followed that line of business until his death, which took place in 1884. He was a stanch and steadfast Republican in his politics, and actively supported the principles and candidates of that party. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were truly good and sincere Christian people.

            The mother of our subject dying while he was still a babe, he was brought up beneath his father's eye, but without a mother's fond and loving care. In the district schools of his native county he was educated, and drew from that source quite a large amount of knowledge and information. Early in his life, his father removed to Franklin County, in the same State, where our subject received the necessary training in the art or science of agriculture, that has been so valuable to him in his later years, and which he has put to so excellent a use in the course of his busy life. He remained at home with his father, assisting him to the extent of his power, until he had reached his majority, at which time he started in life for himself. In 1857 he removed to Douglas County, Ill., where he purchased some eighty acres of land, and followed farming in that portion of the great Prairie State for twenty years. In 1877 our subject removed to Kansas, and settling in Butler County, purchased a quarter-section of land, upon which he was engaged in the pursuit of agriculture for about seven years. In 1884 he removed to Sedgwick County, and located on section 25, Gypsum Township, where he is now living.

            Mr. Cooley was married, Sept. 30, 1858, to Miss Margaret A. Breedu, a native of Virginia, who was born in 1857, and who died in 1881, leaving three children --Joseph, Lillie and Ollie. Our subject was married the second time, May 10, 1887, to Miss Nannie Brown, a native of Meade County, Ky., born Oct. 22, 1862, and the daughter of John and Permelia (Serrill) Brown. Both he and his estimable wife are sincere Christians, and are consistent members, he of the Methodist, and she of the Baptist Church.

            In his politics Mr. Cooley generally supports the principles and candidates of the Republican party, but not being strictly bound by party lines, on all questions of local issues he is generally apt to make up his mind as to which is the best party for the office, and, having a mind of his own, dares to support it. He is extensively engaged in the stock business on his farm, which employs most of his attention, he taking considerable pains in the rearing of Norman and Clydesdale horses, and Short-horn Durham cattle, of which he has a very considerable herd. His sterling integrity, inflexible honesty, and general high principles, have won him the respect of every community in which he has resided, and he is to-day one of the most esteemed and valued citizens of this portion of the county.