Robert Berton Cooley

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Bert

Notes:

Robert Berton Cooley (Bert) and his twin brother, Herbert Merton (Mert), were born 15 Oct 1875 to Robert Reed Cooley (1840-1917) and Stella Alfresine Owen (1850-1920) in McGregor, Iowa "right on the banks of the Mississippi River" as my Grandpa Bert Cooley told me.
The twins grew up in the McGregor area. Some time before 1894[i] the Robert Reed Cooley family consisting of Dad, Mom, Bert, and Mert came to Pierce County, Nebraska, where they settled in Plainview.
Some time before 1896[ii] Samuel Jasper Miller and his wife Mary Ellen Nickerson and his eight children moved from Iowa to Plainview. Amongst the children was Carrie Louella Miller b. 27 May 1883 in Beaman, Iowa, future wife of Robert Berton Cooley.
Bert and Carrie Louella (Lou) were wed 3 Jan 1903 in Plainview. Later in that same year, their first child, Orville Dale was born. Two other children, Carlyle Berton (b. 1905) and Leo (b. 1907), were born in Plainview but did not survive childhood.
At some point before 1906[iii] Mert acquired the Crofton Journal newspaper at Crofton, Knox County, Nebraska. Meanwhile, Bert and his wife, Carrie Louella Miller, had moved to McLean Nebraska where both taught school.
Ronald Delos Cooley was born to Herbert Merton and Elizabeth Holliday in Crofton 28 Jan 1906 and their second child, Merton Beth Cooley, was born 7 Dec 1907. Unfortunately, their mother, Elizabeth Holliday, died shortly after Beth was born. Because of the tragic loss of their mother, Ronald went to live with his grandparents, RR Cooley and Stella Owen in Plainview, Nebraska, and Beth went to live with his uncle RB Cooley in McLean, Nebraska.
In 1910 the Robert Reed Cooley family consisting of RR, Stella, Glenn, and grandchild Ronald Delos, and the Robert Berton Cooley family consisting of RB, wife CL Miller, first child Dale, and nephew Merton Beth, migrated to Kit Carson County Colorado. The RR Cooleys purchased a relinquishment just at the west edge of Flagler and the RB Cooleys purchased 158 acres about four miles west and five miles north of Flagler.
At the same time, the Samuel Jasper Miller family also migrated to Colorado but they landed in Washington County. All of the Miller children, with the exception of eldest son Odes Bert (Carrie Louella, wife of RB Cooley migrated with the Cooleys) came to Colorado and all filed on homesteads in the Anton area of Washington County.
The RB Cooley family "...was on a homestead nine miles northwest of Flagler and we had three years to prove up the claim," said his nephew, Beth Cooley. Bert began in Colorado as a teacher, earning $40 per month at the Huntley school about seven miles due north of Flagler while Lou taught at the Van Patten school at $35 per month. In the summer of 1910 when school was out he joined his Grandpa SJ Miller's threshing crew to run the engine. Since the crops near Flagler had failed in 1910, Grandpa Miller had decided to head north where the crops fared better that year. One day Bert was working about 30 miles north of Flagler near Otis Colo., when he observed the town didn't have a newspaper. That fall Bert began planning for a newspaper in Otis.
"The big reason [for starting a newspaper] was that almost all of the settlers were homesteading, and the law required that anyone who "proved up" on a homestead had to make a publication in a newspaper in the area. These publications were published for a period of six weeks and the homesteader had to pay a publication fee of $5.[iv]
Bert was fortunate enough to find an empty, one and a half story building on the main street (Washington Avenue). It was located on the east side of the street just south of the yard part of the Akron-Otis Lumber Company. The front part was used as a printing office with a rear part partitioned off as a bedroom. At the back of the building was a sort of lean-to about 15 feet square. This was the kitchen and dining area. In order to get to the two bedrooms upstairs, it was necessary to go outside, climb a flight of steps and then walk on two two-by-eight planks laid across the semi-flat roof of the lean-to to get into the upstairs apartment. [Our biggest] concern was water for domestic use. There was no municipal water system and those who lived in town had cisterns which were kept full by a man named Fred Bowen who owned a wooden tank on a wagon. It had a hand pump on it and he would deliver you a supply of water for 50 cents."
"Dad started in the newspaper business from scratch," remembered his son, Coyne Cooley. "He started the Independent on a $250 loan [from his brother-in-law, Odes Bert Miller of Iowa]...that was in 1911, and I was born the next year. We had quarters above the newspaper office, so that's what you call being born into the business." He bought some used equipment and "hired a bum printer to start the paper in Otis just to print legals", said Beth. The first edition (v1#1) of the Otis Independent was published on 5 Jan 1911.[v]
When the Independent was started there were less than 100 people living in Otis. The newspaper consisted of four pages, the front and back was "home print"; that is, the type was set in the shop and printed there. The two inside pages were called "patent" which were supplied by the Western Newspaper Union (out of business by 1982).
During the early years of the newspaper in Otis, the RB Cooley Flagler property was occupied by Lou, Dale, and Beth during the winter months, putting in the time necessary to prove up. Lou taught school, Dale went with her, and Beth was "farmed out" to a neighbor lady (in today's parlance, sent to childcare). Lou and Dale traveled in an open buggy drawn by a single mare who sometimes engaged in the capricious practice known as "balking". That is, a situation where the horse refuses to move when asked to do so. It is very exasperating."
They proved up the [Flagler] claim in March of 1913 and moved to Otis for good.
Tragically, a year later in 1914 Mert was drowned in an automobile accident on the Yankton (SD) pontoon bridge. With the untimely death of his twin brother Bert, sold the OI and he and the family left Otis and moved to Crofton, Nebraska where they continued the operation of Mert's newspaper, the Crofton Journal.
As time went on in that northeast corner of Nebraska near the Missouri River, Bert began to have problems with severe allergies (hay fever). With the climate adversely affecting him he disposed of the Crofton newspaper in 1916 and the family returned to Otis arriving on Election Day, Nov 14, 1916. Bert bought the Independent back and resumed operation of the paper he had founded. Those were the only two years the Cooleys were not involved in a Colorado paper.
"In 1917 we built our new house in Otis and we took the high school principal as a roomer. He was 22 year of age and just out of the University of Denver."[vi] Dale speculates that the principal probably influenced his choice of university as DU from which he graduated.
At some point after their return from Nebraska, the newspaper office was moved "to a make-shift shop adjoining William Whiterhurst's store [on the north]. This had been used as a place to grind and mix feed." At this new location Bert bought a typesetting machine that "was better than doing it by hand, but not much". But a clothing store located in the old grocery store adjoining the Independent office on the south caught fire and was destroyed (no date given). "The Independent was saved by the fact that the north wall of the store [and south wall of the office] was of solid concrete and the fire failed to penetrate."
Not long after that, the chance arose to get a building that had been built out as a drugstore for Justin Hay on the east side of the street across from "the hotel". Shortly, the shop was moved there, the third location for the Otis Independent since RB Cooley started the newspaper.
With the assistance of his wife and sons, he continued to operate the Otis newspaper until 1928 when they traded the paper to J.S. "Stat" Tohill for the Monte Vista Tribune. Tohill came to Otis to operate the Independent but shortly, he sold the newspaper to John W. Graves in 1929. Graves operated it until his death, Feb 22, 1982, and was closely associated with the Cooleys for over 50 years.
Meantime, in Monte Vista, Bert assumed operation of the Tribune but a few months later a better opportunity arose in Akron Colo., county seat of Washington County, whose economy was bustling in the prosperity of the pre-depression years. R.B. sold the Monte Vista Tribune and came to Akron in February of 1929 with his wife Lou, three sons, Dale, Coyne, and Bob, and two nephews, Ronald and Beth.
Akron was a little railroad town and farming community of only a few more than 1200 residents yet it boasted two newspapers, the Akron News and the Akron Reporter. Bert purchased both newspapers which were quickly consolidated resulting in the single newspaper, the Akron News-Reporter the first edition of which was published March 7, 1929. It reported details of a coroner's inquest into death of an Akron man and his son in a train accident, a fire at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Akron, and carried a front page picture of the inauguration of President Calvin Coolidge and Vice President Charles G. Dawes.
Since having five sons working on a small weekly newspaper was overkill, in 1937 Bert purchased the Eastern Colorado Leader in Limon and Dale and Ronald were sent down there to assume operation of the newspaper. Soon they acquired the Genoa Sentinel, the two papers were consolidated, and the Limon Leader was born.
Youngest son, Bob exited the Akron News-Reporter in 1943, went to his wife Eleanor Newcomb's hometown, Mountain Home Idaho, where he started the Mountain Home News. Soon Bob began to feel the ill-effects of arthritis so he moved down to the drier climate of Arizona where he eventually became a Professor of Journalism at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff in 1976.
R.B. and Lou owned the Akron News-Reporter until 1955 when they retired and turned the operation over to Coyne and Beth who formed a partnership shortly thereafter.
In 1972 the Limon Leader was sold and Dale and Ronald went into retirement. When the Akron News-Reporter was sold in 1979 it marked the end of the Cooley family newspaper dynasty "since none of the children was interested in getting into the business", Coyne said. That was mostly true until Jim, son of Ronald, took over the Oxford (Nebraska) News and is still publishing the newspaper in 2013.
After a brief illness, Robert Berton Cooley died in the Washington County Hospital in Akron, Colo. On 12 Dec 1962. He was buried in the Otis Cemetery.
His wife, Carrie Louella Miller died in the Nursing Wing on the south side of Washington County Hospital 10 Aug 1973 and she also was buried in the Otis Cemetery.
------------------------------------------------------i Their fourth child, Glenn Syren Cooley, was born in Plainview 14 Jul 1894. ii His youngest child, Letta May Miller was born in Plainview 18 Mar 1896. iii Mert's first child, Ronald Delos Cooley was born in Crofton 28 Jan 1906 when Mert had control of the Crofton Journal. iv "Otis, the People, the Places, and the Newspaper" by Dale Cooley, The Otis Independent, vol 70 no 14 v *From some later edition numbers (e.g. vol 30, no 51 dated 18 Dec 1941) I have determined that v1#1 of the OI lay in the range Dec 25, 1910 to Jan 5, 1911. Since most accounts say the OI began publication in 1911 I will summarily establish 5 Jan 1911 (a Thursday) as the date of the first edition, v1#1.
vi Dale

(Medical):I attended the deceased from November 11, 1962 to December 12, 1962 and last saw him alive on December 12, 1962. Death occurred at 5:25 A.M. on the date stated above. Attendant: Park D. Keller, MD, Akron, Colo. Dec. 13, 1962

Robert married Carrie Louella Miller on 3 Jan 1903 in Plainview, Pierce Co, Nebraska. Carrie (daughter of Samuel Jasper Miller and Mary Ellen Nickerson) was born on 27 May 1883 in Beaman, Grundy Co, Iowa; died on 10 Aug 1973 in Akron, Washington Co, Colorado; was buried on 13 Aug 1973 in Otis Cemetery, Washington Co, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
MARRIED At Pierce, Saturday afternoon by Judge Williams Bert Cooley and Miss Lou Miller. The contracting parties both reside northwest of Plainview and are will and favorably known by all. They will make their home with Mr. Cooley's parents for the present. Judge: J.A. Williams, Plainview, Nebraska presiding; Present: Herbert Merton Cooley and Alvina Miller. We extend congratulations.

1. Orville Dale Cooley was born on 5 Apr 1903 in Plainview, Pierce Co, Nebraska; died on 12 May 1994 in Riverside, Riverside Co, California; was buried on 17 May 1994 in Pershing Memorial Cemetery, Limon, Lincoln Co, Colorado.
2. Carlyle Berton Cooley was born on 18 May 1905 in Near Plainview, Pierce Co, Nebraska; died on 10 May 1909 in Near Plainview, Pierce Co, Nebraska; was buried about May 1909 in Pleasant View Cemetery, Pierce Co, Nebraska.
3. Leo Cooley was born on 17 Feb 1907 in Savage (Royal), Antelope Co, Nebraska; died on 3 Mar 1907 in Savage (Royal), Antelope Co, Nebraska; was buried in Probably Antelope County, Nebraska.
4. Clifford Coyne Cooley was born on 15 Jul 1912 in Otis, Washington Co, Colorado; died on 5 Dec 1979 in Akron, Washington Co, Colorado; was buried on 8 Dec 1979 in Akron Cemetery, Washington Co, Colorado.
5. Robert Miller Cooley was born on 20 Sep 1914 in Otis, Washington Co, Colorado; died on 4 Nov 1992 in Rawlins, Carbon Co, Wyoming; was buried on 7 Nov 1992 in Cloverdale Memorial Park, Boise, Ada Co, Idaho.
6. Gwen Cooley was born on 23 Jan 1921 in Otis, Washington Co, Colorado; died on 23 Jan 1921 in Otis, Washington Co, Colorado; was buried in Otis, Washington Co, Colorado.

Notes:

ROBERT REED COOLEY ANSWERS LAST CALLThe Flagler (Colorado) News Vol. V, No. 50, 3 Jan 1918, p. 4., col. 3 Will A. Borland, ed This community was grieved last Friday when the word was spread about town that Robert Cooley had passed away on 28 Dec 1917. Mr. Cooley was a man who was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and while the writer had known him but two years, still I had learned to love and respect him. His genial disposition and hearty greeting had endeared him to our people and he will be greatly missed in the community. Robert Reed Cooley was born to Andrew Sutherland Cooley and Salome Warren Cooley in Garnavillo, Iowa 14 May 1847 and died at his home near Flagler, Colo., December 28, 1917, at the age of 70 years, 7 months and 14 days, death being due to apoplexy [a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain]. Funeral services were held at the Congregational church in Flagler on Monday morning, December 31st [1918], at 11 o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. A. W. Moore. His text was found in Phil. 1-21: "To me, to live is Christ, to die is gain." Businesses of Flagler were closed during services. He lived with his parents in Garnavillo [Clayton County, Iowa] until young manhood, when he and his father, A. S. Cooley, disposed of his [?] property near that place and purchased a farm near McGregor, Iowa, where he was in the lumber business several years. He was united in marriage with Stella A. Owen on December 10, 1874 in McGregor, Clayton County, Iowa. To this union were born four children: Twins Herbert Merton (Mert) and Robert Berton (Bert) on 20 Oct 1875 in McGregor, Clayton County, Iowa; Verne Alton on 8 May 1880 in McGregor, and Glenn Syren on 14 Jul 1894 in Plainview, Pierce County, Nebraska. Herbert Merton was drowned in the Missouri River near Yankton, S.D., 4 Nov 1914 and Verne Alton died at McGregor Iowa, 5 Aug 1881, at the age of 15 months. In the spring of 1886 Robert Reed and his family consisting of himself, wife Stella, and twin sons Mert and Bert moved to Plainview, Nebr., where he resided until the spring of 1910 when he migrated to Kit Carson County Colorado where he bought a relinquishment northwest of Flagler. Robert Cooley was a true man; a man who gave almost his entire life to the service of others. For three years he took care of a helpless brother who was wounded in the Civil War [Peter S. Cooley]. This ordeal practically undermined his health, but he never complained. Mr. Cooley is survived by his wife, Stella, and two sons, Robert Berton of Otis, Colo., and Glenn Syren of Flagler. He is also survived by six grand-children, one of whom, Ronald Cooley, has lived with his grandparents since the death of his mother, Elizabeth Holliday Cooley, in December of 1907. A large number of sympathizing friends and associates assembled to pay their last respects to one whom they loved, and the business houses of Flagler were closed during the services. The floral offerings were abundant and beautiful. The last remains were laid to their final rest in the Flagler cemetery. The News joins with the large circle of friend and acquaintances in extending sympathy to the bereaved wife and children in their time of sorrow.

Card of Thanks, col 3, same edition "We desire to extend our sincere thanks to the neighbors and friends who so kindly gave of their assistance and sympathy during the late illness, death and burial of our loved one, Robert Cooley. We especially wish to thank the business men of Flagler and other, for the beautiful floral offerings." /s/ Mrs. Robert Cooley, Glenn Cooley, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Cooley, Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Owen, Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Groves, Mrs. L. A. Shaffer, Mrs. Mary I. Hicks

(Medical):I hereby certify that I attended deceased from Dec 22, 1917 to Dec 28, 1917, (signed) H.L. Williams MD, 12/28/1917, Flagler Colorado

Robert married Stella Alfresine Owen on 10 Dec 1874 in McGregor, Clayton Co, Iowa. Stella (daughter of Ambrose Owen and Miranda L. Diggins) was born on 21 May 1850 in Alden Twp, McHenry Co, Illinois; died on 10 Jun 1920 in Flagler, Kit Carson Co, Colorado; was buried on 11 Jun 1920 in Flagler Cemetery, Kit Carson Co, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Stella Alfresine Owen Obituary Mrs. Cooley was one of the really estimable old ladies of Flagler, always quiet and greatly devoted to her home and children. In early childhood she came with her parents to West Union, Fayette County, Iowa, later moving to McGregor, Iowa, where she was married to Robert Reed Cooley on 10 Dec 1874. In 1886 she came with her husband and children to Plainview, Nebraska, where they resided until 1910 when they disposed of their property and came to Flagler, Kit Carson County, Colorado where they lived on a farm just west of town until a short time ago when the deceased and her son, Glenn, moved to town to property he recently purchased. She also leaves a brother, Ernest M. Owen of Flagler, and a sister, Mrs. Lucy Shaffer who makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Groves just south of Flagler. She is mentioned in "Descendants of John Owen" as 7th generation. Spelling of name there is E-s-t-e-l-l-a. Source was Helen E. Healy, Mesa AZ, in 1935. - The Flagler News, V 8, No. 22, June 17, 1920 (front page story, also on front page: Harding and Coolidge nominated at the Republican National Convention).

(Medical):I hereby certify that I attended deceased from May 27, 1920 to June 10, 1920, that I last saw her alive on June 9, 1920 and that death occurred on the date stated above. (Signed) E.W. Reis MD, Flagler, Colo.

Notes:

Andrew S Cooley, Samuel T Cooley, and probably Caleb C Cooley were signers of an 1833 petition to the U.S. Government to re-route the Detroit-Grand River plank road to a more northerly bearing of higher elevation (roughly, present highway 24). It never happened and the former plank road is now US Interstate 96. - Carter, Clarence Edwin, "The Territorial Papers of the United States: Vol. XII, The Territory of Michigan 1829-1837"
Died at the home of Fred Cook, Garnavillo, on Tuesday, October 28, 1890, Andrew S. Cooley, at the advanced age of [86] years, 3 months and 17 days. Thus another of the pioneers of Clayton county has been called from the scene of his labors, to mingle with the silent majority beyond the tomb. Their labors here are ended, but their memories will be cherished. The best monument that can be erected to them, is this beautiful county, inhabited by the happiest people on earth. With its organization, A.S. Cooley was intimately connected. He was one of the earliest inhabitants and for nearly 60 years, his home was on its soil. Few of us are destined to witness the changes of life that he has witnessed during his long career. This sacred soil which he helped to wrest from the savages has become the home of thousands. He has witnessed the gradual advancement from the rude slow pioneer life, with its manifold trials and dangers, to the rush and rant of our modern civilization, and with the realization of a well spent life, he finds eternal rest among the scenes of his labors. Andrew Sutherland Cooley was born in the Pittsford, Rutland county, Vermont July 11, 1804. When eight years old his parents removed to Niagara county, New York, where he was raised on a farm. March 10, 1825, he married Miss Salome Warren, of Cambria, N.Y., a descendant of Jos. Warren of Revolutionary fame. In 1830 they emigrated west, and located in Franklin, Oakland county, Mich., where they resided until 1834. But that spirit of the typical New Englander, which compels him to seek new scenes, drove him further west. He left his wife and five children in Michigan and sought a new home in Iowa. He landed at Dubuque where he found employment with Dr. McCraney, on a farm. In the spring of 1835 he returned to Michigan by team, intending to bring his family to Dubuque. In the meantime his wife and family, not hearing from him had returned to New York, as they supposed him to have been killed by Indians. He at once started on this tedious journey, found his family and brought them to Dubuque, where they arrived November 20th, 1835. After remaining in Dubuque two years they came in company with Dr. Andros to Clayton county. There was at that time not a town, church or school house in this county. They broke up some prairie and raised a small crop about one mile south of Garnavillo, what is now called the old Beckman farm. In the fall of 1837 they located on the banks of the Turkey river in Millville township. They remained here until 1839 when they again returned to the prairie near Garnavillo and in 1840 took up and improved some government land three miles south of the town. There they made their home until 1872, when the old homestead was sold and another farm purchased in Mendon township near McGregor, which was their home until 1883, since which time they have resided with their daughter, Mrs. Fred Cook.
Of the 17 children born to them 11 survive. His remains were buried at the old cemetery on Thursday. Rev. R. W. Wilcox of Clayton officiated.

(Research):David Coomer-AS Cooley land description comparison, Oakland County, Michigan

David Coomer 3 Dec 1830 W

Andrew married Salome Warren on 10 Mar 1825 in Lockport Township, Niagara Co, New York. Salome was born about Aug 1809 in Massachusetts; died on 2 Nov 1895 in Elkader, Clayton Co, Iowa; was buried about Nov 1895 in Old Garnavillo Cemetery, Clayton Co, Iowa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Finalized spelling of her given name is "Salome" (spelled Saloma in some places); obtained from gravestone in Old Garnavillo Cemetery observed by DBC 7/19/98.

Elkader Iowa
Friday Morning, Nov. 8, 1895
Mrs A. S. Cooley
At Elkader on Saturday, Nov. 2nd 1895, occurred the death of Salome Warren, wife of A. S. Cooley, deceased. She was born at Ashfield, Mass., July 26th, 1809. Shortly after her birth, her parents moved to Niagara county, N.Y. where she grew up and spent her girlhood days. She was married to A. S. Cooley March 19th, 1825, at Cambridge, N. Y. In 1830, with her husband emigrated west and located in Michigan, from there came to Dubuque in 1834, and in 1837 settled In Clayton county, where they have since lived. Her husband died in Garnavillo, Oct. 28, 1890, at the age of 86 years. Seventeen children were born to them, eleven of which are still alive and are residents of different states in the Union. Mrs. Cooley is the mother of the first white child born in Garnavillo twp., namely, Noah Cooley, now a resident of Leavenworth, Kansas. [Error: Storrs Andros was the first] For the last twelve years Mrs. Cooley has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Fred Cook. The funeral took place on Monday Nov. 4th, 1895. Her remains were taken to Garnavillo, and laid at rest beside her husband, Rev. Fisk, of Elkader, officiating.

(Research):Salome: A Hebrew name taken from Solomon ("peace"). Selima is another variant.

Notes:

AMBROSE OWEN(6) [Julius Augustus(5), Elijah(4), Joshua(3), Joseph(2), John(1)], son of Julius Augustus and Rebecca (Murray) Owen was born (probably) at Milton Vt. He married Miranda Diggins, daughter of William, who was a brother of Joseph, Wesley, and Franklin Diggins who all married daughters of Julius Augustus Owen. Ambrose lived at Harvard, Ill. and West Union, Iowa. Children (7th gen): i. Siron; ii. Estella; iii. Lucia; iv. Julietta - Auth Mrs. Helen R Healy, Mesa Arizona 1935. - Owen Descendants

Obituary Mr. Ambrose Owen died last Friday at his home six miles southeast of town, aged 87 years, 9 months and two days. He was born in Chittenden County, Vermont in 1814 and was married to Miranda L. Diggins, March 23, 1844 in McHenry County, Illinois and enjoyed 58 years of married life. He was the father of five children, three daughters and two sons, all of whom with the wife survive him. He joined the Christian church 35 years ago and has since lived a consistent Christian life. He was an honorable upright citizen, a good neighbor and respected by all who knew him. About three years ago, he suffered a severe sickness from which he never fully recovered. Funeral services were held at the family home by Rev. F.J. Kennedy Monday and burial made in the Creighton cemetery. - The Creighton Courier 6 March 1902

(Research):Harvard IL is about five miles west of Alden on Highway 173 in McHenry county, IL. West Union IA is in north cental Fayette county Iowa on Highway 18.

Note: Ambrose Owen-1 is Ambrose-2's grand-uncle.

Ambrose married Miranda L. DigginsProbably McHenry Co, Illinois. Miranda (daughter of William S. Diggins and Lucinda Skinner) was born on 28 May 1827 in Waitsfield, Washington Co, Vermont; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _TODO: Open

Notes:

Grandma Carrie Louella Miller-Cooley's anecdote: "They" lived 13 miles from Niagara Falls but never saw them. (This would be Robert Reed's grandfather's family, Noah Cooley and Jane Sutherland who lived on Holland Land Purchase property in Niagara County New York about 13 miles direct line distance east from the Falls). Another anecdote (Dale Cooley): They could sometimes see a rainbow caused by water spray from the Falls.
Noah Cooley, son of Col Benjamin, married Jane daughter of Peter Sutherland, January 24, 1804, and located on the west side of Otter Creek, upon land now owned by Ransom Burdett. The house he occupied, built by him, stood on the east side of the old road leading from the residence of Tilly Walker to that of Peter Rice--now R. Burdett's. The cellar of the house can still be seen in the pasture about thirty rods west of the railroad. Mr. Cooley resided there a few years, and then removed to 'Western Country' where he died, Jan 11, 1856. Mrs. Cooley died July 4, 1854. [These death dates are apocryphal. They come from p320 in Caverly's The History of Pittsford but cannot be verified because the original letter to Caverly has been lost].

Fourth Child discrepancy A large discrepancy cropped up in 2010 concerning Noah and Jane's children. Sally Merryman produced a document written by Jennie Lincoln a cousin of James Watson Cooley. The reason I latched onto that document so quickly was the way it was written including the time of day the children were born. Noah's father, Col. Benjamin Cooley as Town Clerk of Pittsford entered the births of his children into the official records of Pittsford use this same method and language. For instance, "Andrew Sutherland Cooley was born July 11th 1804 Wednesday about one o'clock in the morning". The discrepancy concerns the fourth child. Caverly in the History of Pittsford names a James G Cooley born about 1810* whereas the document written by Jennie Lincoln** has no James G. but Jane Eliza Cooley-Coomer as the fourth child, b. 11 Oct 1811, d. 10 Oct 1871. The latter is well documented and a centaph has been built by Coomer descendants in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Morenci, Seneca Twp, Lenawee Co, Michigan. Consequently, I felt "James G" was an error for many years until I visited Pittsford Vermont in 2016. I went through many land records in the Town Office and found several references to a James G Cooley in the year range 1840-1860. Those references showed James G. involved in land transactions with Lydia Huntley, wife of Azariah Cooley, elder brother of Noah Cooley. This knowledge and the fact that Lydia aged 76 is found in the household of James Cooley in Leicester, Addison County, Vermont in the 1860 US Census leads to the conclusion that James G Cooley was the son of Azariah Cooley and Lydia Huntley.
* Here is the list of Noah and Jane's children from the History of Pittsford page 697: COOLEY, NOAH s of Col. Benjamin, m 1802, Jane Sutherland, b August 24, 1787. Children-- 1, Andrew s. b 1804; 2, Samuel b 1806; 3, Caleb C. b 1808; 4, James G. b 1810; 5, Milton b 1815; 6, Mary b 1823, d 1851; 7, Benjamlin F. b 1825. The father d January 11, 1852; the mother d July 4, 1854.
**Here is Jennie Lincoln's list of Noah and Jane's children (courtesy of Sally Merryman): Benjamin and Ruth's son Noah, B 2 Jul 1782 Pittsford, VT, d. 11 Jan 1852 New York State or MI, M. 24 Jan 1804 Jane Sutherland B. 24 Aug 1787 prob Greenwich, CT, D. 4 Jul 1854.

Their children were:1. Andrew Sutherland B. 11 Jul 1804 d. 30 Oct 1890. I believe their children were: Peter, Clara married Fred Cook, Eliza, Thomas, Lewis, Robert, and Hersey. This is where Dan Cooley's (danbcooley) family comes in.
2. Samuel Thurman, B. 30 Mar 1806 Pittsford, VT, d. 4 Jan 1892 Jonesville, MI, M. 3 Feb 1831, Oakland Co., MI Harriet Electa Woodruff. Their children were: A. Byron, b. 1837 M. Sarah Collins. The only other thing I have besides the names of their children that I posted on your was on his son George. I have two pictures only. One was of Byron, George and his wife (name unknown)and their twin daughters (names unknown). The other picture is of the twin daughters only. B. Rebecca, b. 3 Mar 1839 married George Coffin. Their children were Fred and Jean. C. William, b. 1841 married Melissa Hyde. He was in Co. D", 11th Mich. Vol. Cav.
Their children:
1) Byron
2) Ralph d. 6 Feb 1961 3) Celia married Norton (first name unknown). Their children:
a. Ruth b. Grace married Charles Machin. Their child: Norene, Born 1906 Died 1922
D. Woodruff, b. 1843? d. 1848? E. James Watson, b. 12 Mar 1843 Pittsford, MI, D. 20 Jul 1924 Grand Rapids, MI, M. 30 Jun 1870 Pittsford, MI Armilla Howell. Their child: 1) Justin Winthrop, b. 5 Nov 1877 Ottawa Lake, MI, M. 3 Oct 1899 Pittsford, MI, Hazel Gwendolyn Sturdevant. Their children: a) Clifford Winthrop, bB. 2 Sep 1900 d. 27 Apr 1901
b) Madeline Evelyn, b. 11 Jun 1902 d. 15 Apr 1969
c) Thurman Woodruff, b. 30 Aug 1904 d. 5 Oct 1936
d) Marjorie, b. 17 Oct 1907 d. 25 Apr 1989 e) Katherine Armilla, b. 28 May 1909 d. 18 May 1988 f) James Louis, b. 22 Feb 1912 d. 21 May 1960. He played high school football with the late President Gerald R Ford.
g) Richard Harold, b. 2 Oct 1916 d. 14 Nov 1992 h) Audrey Janet, b. 21 Aug 1919. She is my mother-in-law.

3. Caleb Carroll, b. 25 Mar 18084. Jane Eliza, b. 11 Oct 1811, M. Arnold Coomber (brother to Ben Coomber)
5. Milton Potter, b. 6 Apr 1818
6. Noah Beach, b. 14 Nov 1819 D. 7 Sep 18207. Mary Isabel, b. 21 Feb 1823, M. Ben Coomber (brother to Arnold Coomber)
8. Frank

Noah Cooley's death date discrepancy From pp46-47 of John William Sutherland and Allied Families by Millie A. Owings "Noah Cooley was born 2 July 1782...and died 11 Jan 1852 in Lockport, New York This presents a fairly large discrepancy between the History of Pittsford year of 1856 (which the Cooley Genealogy uses) and the John William Sutherland Genealogy (1852); the day and month agree but there is a four-year difference. Also, Owings states a death place of Lockport NY whereas the Cooley Genealogy ducks the death place by saying "Western Country".
Although there is a death date discrepancy, the larger problem is that neither Noah Cooley's nor Jane Sutherland's death dates and places have any documentation whatever. Whether Lockport New York or Michigan or 1852 or 1856, it makes little difference since their death information remains an undocumented mystery.

_TODO:
Lets expand our view to include Cambria - after all, Andrew Sutherland and wife Naomi Cooley were there, buried there. Then review Holland Purchase locality - forget the 13 miles - it suffices to say they lived close to the Falls

Noah married Jane Sutherland on 24 Jan 1804 in Pittsford, Rutland Co, Vermont. Jane (daughter of Peter Sutherland and Carol Bush) was born on 24 Aug 1787 in Nine Partners, Dutchess Co, New York; died before 1850. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Jane's death is even more mysterious than Noah's because the last record about her I have been able to find is the 1840 U.S. Census, Michigan, Lenawee, Seneca. There is an 1845 Michigan state census but the summary on Ancestry.com lists only head of household, namely, Noah Cooley, MI, Lenawee, Seneca.
On p46 of John William Sutherland and Allied Families by Millie A. Owings we have "Jane [Sutherland](3) (Peter(2), John William(1)] was the first daughter of Peter and Amy [Sutherland] and was born 24 Aug 1787 at Nine Partners, Dutchess county, New York and died 4 July 1854. A footnote in the JW Sutherland genealogy states that "One source says that Jane died in Lockport, Niagara county, New York. Another surce says she died in Seneca township, Lenawee County, Michigan where her children lived. We were unable to find a cemetery record for her either place.
This paragraph is reproduced from Noah Cooley's research notes.: Noah Cooley, son of Col Benjamin, married Jane daughter of Peter Sutherland, January 24, 1804, and located on the west side of Otter Creek, upon land now owned by Ransom Burdett. The house he occupied, built by him, stood on the east side of the old road leading from the residence of Tilly Walker to that of Peter Rice--now R. Burdett's. The cellar of the house can still be seen in the pasture about thirty rods west of the railroad. Mr. Cooley resided there a few years, and then removed to the western country where he died, Jan 11, 1856. Mrs. Cooley died July 4, 1854. [These death dates are wrong; they come from p320 in Caverly's The History of Pittsford which was also wrong about Noah and Jane's children. Mortimer Cooley just copied these erroneous data to his Cooley Genealogy p492 and p547-8].
Amazingly, in the 1850 U.S. Census Noah (aged 68) turns up back in Pittsford VT living with his brother Azariah (70) and his wife Lydia. Alas, Jane is not with him. In 2008 I went to Michigna to investigate a conjecture that she died in Lenawee or Hillsdale counties but turned up nothing in the south-central area (see Owings' footnote above).

Notes:

Married:
Noted that Jane was age 16 when married (Noah was 21)

Notes:

As a child he moved with his parents to Milton, VT. His first marriage in about 1799 was to Mehitable Castle of Milton by whom he had seven children; His second wife was Rebecca Murray whom he married 30 Oct 1811 at Fairfax, VT. (She was the widow of Zadock Clark). He had three children by Rebecca the second of which was Ambrose Owen (and the ninth child overall). Julius Owen is mentioned in the 1810 census of Milton, Chittenden Co, Vermont. He would have been 41 in that year.

Julius married Rebecca Murray on 30 Oct 1811 in Fairfax, Franklin Co, Vermont. Rebecca and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Julius Augustus Owen's] second wife was Rebecca Murray whom he married 30 Oct 1811 at Fairfax, VT. (She was the widow of Zadock Clark). He had three children by Rebecca the second of which was Ambrose Owen (and the ninth child overall).

Notes:

Married:
As a child [Julius Augustus] moved with his parents to Milton, VT. His first marriage in about 1799 was to Mehitable Castle of Milton by whom he had seven children; His second wife was Rebecca Murray whom he married 30 Oct 1811 at Fairfax, VT. (She was the widow of Zadock Clark). He had three children by Rebecca the second of which was Ambrose Owen (and the ninth child overall). Julius Owen is mentioned in the 1810 census of Milton, Chittenden Co, Vermont. He would have been 41 in that year.

Notes:

William Diggins was a brother to Joseph, Wesley, and Franklin Diggins, who all married daughters of Julius Augustus Owen - "Descendants of John Owen of Windsor, Connecticut" p. 196

William married Lucinda Skinner on 1 Dec 1825 in Waitsfield, Washington Co, Vermont. Lucinda (daughter of Eli Skinner and Lucinda Nims) was born on 5 Aug 1797 in Waitsfield, Washington Co, Vermont; died on 1 Dec 1825 in Waitsfield, Washington Co, Vermont. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]