Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 329 - 330

ISAAC COOLEY, deceased, was an extensive farmer, owning a large farm in Sedgwick and Butler Counties, and was a valued citizen of Kechi Township, with a pleasant home on section 34. He was born in Indiana in 1805, and was the eldest of five children born to Thaddeus and Jane Cooley, natives of Ireland and Germany respectively. His father came to this country when quite a young man, and settled in Indiana in the very early days of its settlement, when it formed a part of the great Northwest Territory, before it became a separate Territory, and long before it was admitted into the Union as a State. There he toiled to clear a farm from the wilderness, that he might gain subsistence for his family and make a home for them. In that primitive pioneer dwelling of his parents our subject was reared to manhood, sharing its trials and hardships, assisting in the farm labors, and gleaning an education in the rude log school-house. When he became a man he commenced farming for himself in his native State, and to assist him in making a home, he wooed and won Miss Frances Ally, to whom he was married in 1825. Only a few years of wedded life were granted to them, however, as she died leaving five children - Sarah, William Strange, John Wesley, David Carey and Isaac Newton. Sarah is now Mrs. Ally, and lives in her native State; David and Isaac are both married and live in Kansas; William S. and John W. are deceased.

     Our subject was a second time married, Miss Sarah Evans becoming his wife; after the birth of five children, she too passed away. In 1859 our subject was again married, in his native State, he having previously become a resident of Illinois in 1857. Caroline Lounsbury was the maiden name of his third wife, who was born in New York in 1835, and was the third child in the family of six children born to Daniel and Phebe (Niffin) Lounsbury. Her paternal grandparents, Stephen and Sarah Lounsbury, and her maternal grandparents, Roger and Elizabeth (Bacon) Niffin, were all natives of New York. Her grandmother Niffin died at the extreme old age of ninety-five; she helped to scatter flowers after the battle of Bunker Hill; she and Roger Bacon were descendants of a common ancestor.

     While a resident of Indiana Mr. Cooley took an active part, in political and public matters, and was Deputy Sheriff for some time. On the formation of the Republican party he became a prominent and trusted member of that organization. After marriage Mr. Cooley returned with his bride to his home in Arcola, Douglas Co., Ill, and there they continued to live until their removal to Kansas. Mr. Cooley became very prosperous in his business, and as the years went by five children were born to him and his wife in their pleasant home; their record is as follows: Phebe Jane, now Mrs. Miller, of Pratt County, Kan.; the second child died in infancy; Charles died at the age of six months; Adaline and Etta Emma live with their mother.

     In 1876 our subject came with his family to Kansas and located in Wichita Township, where he bought 160 acres of land, forty acres of which were improved. Prior to that he had bought 900 acres of land in Butler County, near Augusta, so that he owned in all 1,060 acres of valuable land. He and his family made their home on the farm near Wichita for some years, improving the place and building a good house and barn; it is still in possession of the family. Subsequently Mr. Cooley bought 160 acres of land on section 34, Kechi Township, moved onto it in 1884, and made his home there the few remaining years of his life, dying Feb. 23, 1886, thus closing a long and useful career. His record had been an honorable one, and his memory will long be cherished by the many who had the pleasure of his friendship, for his sturdy worth, and for his countless acts of benevolence and kindness. He was an influential man, and contributed liberally to all good enterprises. He always manifested a great interest in his adopted township, and cheerfully aided all schemes for its advancement. Mrs. Cooley continues to reside in the home where her husband's last days were spent. She is held in high respect as a good woman and a true Christian. She is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

     A portrait of Mr. Cooley graces an adjoining page.

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