Herbert Merton Cooley

Herbert married Donna Lee Mountain in 1960. Donna was born on 16 Feb 1934 in Washington County, Colorado; died on 31 Jan 2016 in Longmont, Boulder Co, Colorado; was buried about Feb 2016 in Akron Cemetery, Washington Co, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living
3. Living
4. Dale Leroy Cooley was born on 24 May 1961 in Akron, Washington Co, Colorado; died on 19 Feb 2015 in Longmont, Boulder Co, Colorado.

Notes:

Merton Beth Cooley was born to Herbert Merton (Mert) and Elizabeth Holliday Cooley on Dec 7, 1907, in Crofton, Neb. His mother died in 1908 from complications of childbirth. His father was editor and publisher of the Crofton Journal so Beth and his elder brother, Ronald literally grew up in the newspaper business. On 14 Nov 1914, a car in which Herbert Merton was a passenger plunged off the Yankton pontoon bridge over the Missouri River drowning him and another passenger in the car. His body was never recovered. Robert Berton Cooley (a twin brother of Herbert Merton) and his wife Carrie Louella Miller had homesteaded to a farm near Flagler Colorado in 1910 and in 1912 Bert had started the Otis Independent in Otis, Colo., 59 miles north of Flagler. Upon learning of his brother's death, Bert sold the Independent and he and his wife and two sons moved back to Crofton to take over the newspaper. They immediately took in and raised Beth and his elder brother Ronald as members of the family. Beth was still just a small boy at this time but he was already working in the family business. "I could read upside down when I was about four or five, and I was hand-setting type before I went to school. To get the paper out, we were hand-setting type day and night. Us kids never knew anything else." In 1916, because of a worsening allergy condition, Bert sold the Crofton Journal and the family returned to Colorado to resume operation of the Otis Independent, this time with two more "sons" in tow. Beth attended school in Otis, graduating from Otis High School in 1927. He also proved to be a fine football player. In his younger years, Beth played trumpet in a local dance band called "The Night Hawks" and became an excellent performer. After graduation, Beth attended the University of Colorado for a short time, later moving back to Otis to help Bert with the newspaper. Beth married Viola Myfanwy Kyffin on May 25, 1929, in Otis and they had one son, Herbert Merton. His Uncle Bert continued to operate the Independent until the fall of 1928 when, in a trade, he swapped the Otis Independent for ownership in the Monte Vista Tribune, Monte Vista, Colorado. Within a few months, Bert disposed of the Tribune and the family moved to Akron, Colo., where he bought the Akron Semi-Weekly News and the Akron Reporter combining the two papers on February 28, 1929 into the Akron News-Reporter. Its first edition was published on 7 Mar 1929. Beth was an adept Linotype operator and he had a natural bent for mechanics of all kinds. Through the years he became known as one of the best repairmen on all printing machinery and was sought after by other newspapers in northeastern Colorado for repair work. On the retirement of the original owners of the Akron News-Reporter, his Uncle Bert and Aunt Lou, Beth and his cousin, Coyne Cooley, became the sole owners of the Akron News-Reporter, which they continued to operate until 1979. All in all, Beth had worked in the weekly newspaper business almost 68 years: from a four-year-old kid folding newspapers at the Crofton Journal to the sale of the Akron News-Reporter in 1979. In keeping with his interest in mechanics, he had a life-long love affair with the automobile (his favorite, Buick). Beth was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a charter member of the Akron Rotary Club. He was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. Merton Beth Cooley died at Sterling Regional MedCenter on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1992 ae 84. Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. from the First Presbyterian Church in Akron with Rev. Kyle Weir officiating. Interment followed in the Akron Cemetery with Yeamans & Gordon Memorial Chapel in charge of arrangements.

Merton married Viola Myfanwy Kyffin on 25 May 1929 in Golden, Jefferson Co, Colorado. Viola (daughter of Seth James Kyffin and Julia S. Oram) was born on 20 Jan 1908 in Denver, Denver Co, Colorado; died on 1 May 1995 in Brush (Sunset Manor), Ft Morgan Co, Colorado; was buried on 4 May 1995 in Akron Cemetery, Washington Co, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Viola Myfanwy Cooley, 87, of Akron died Monday, May 1, 1995 at Sunset Manor Nursing Home in Brush. Funeral services were Thursday, May 4, [1995] at 10:30 a.m. from the First Presbyterian Church of Akron with Rev. Kyle Weir officiating. Interment followed in the Akron Cemetery with Yeamans & Gordon Memorial Chapel of Akron in charge of arrangements. Viola Myfanwy [Kyffin] Cooley was born Jan. 20, 1908 in Denver, Colo. to Seth J. and Judith (Oram) Kyffin. She was united in marriage to Merton Beth Cooley on May 25, 1929, and to this union was born one son, Herbert. Viola attended her first year of college at Colorado School of Music, transferring to Colorado State Teacher's College in Greeley, Colo, where she earnd her degree in elementary education. In addition to teaching school in the Akron School District, she served as principal in the elementary school for 14 years and was the elementary school librarian for 13 years.*
She had been a resident of Washington County since 1929. Viola held membership in many organizations, including Martha Washington No. 47; Order of the Eastern Star in Akron, Colo, of which she was a member for 51 years; Akron Book Chatter Club, Delta Delta Delta Sorority, AARP, ETA Bridge Club, and the First Presbyterian Church of Akron, Colo, where she played piano and organ for 60 years. Hobbies she enjoyed were playing the organ and piano, caring for her rose garden, and playing bridge with her friends. Those preceding her in death were her husband, Merton Beth, her son, Herbert, and one brother, Al Kyffin; four brothers-in-law, and two sisters-in-law. Survivors inclued her daughter-in-law, Donna Cooley of Akron; one brother, Maurice Kyffin of Lakewood, Colo, Mildred Cooley of Riverside, Calif., and Eleanor Cooley of Mountain Home, Iowa [error, should be Boise, Idaho]; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. - Akron News-Reporter, v. 85 no. 11, Thursday May 11, 1995, Akron, Colo.
_________________*From the Denver Post, Monday, April 9. 1973 - COLORADO SPRINGS - Mrs. Viola K. Cooley of Akron, Colo., a teacher in schools for 41 years, was honored by the Colorado Education Association (CEA) at the 47th annual CEA Delegate Assembly at the Broadmoor Hotel. She is a native of Delta, Colo., and began her teaching career in Johnstown, Colo., after graduation from Colorado State Teachers College, now the University of Northern Colorado. For the past 12 years [since 1961] she has been a school librarian in Akron after serving as a classroom teacher and principal at Akron [Grade] School.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mert
• Occupation: Crofton, Knox Co, Nebraska; newspaperman

Notes:

From Yankton Press and Dakotan, 4 Nov 1914
TRAGEDY AT MISSOURI RIVER
Two Men from Crofton lose lives at river early this morning
THE CAR PLUNGED INTO STREAM
TWO IN CAR ESCAPE AND TELL THRILLING STORY OF ACCIDENT O.W. Cass, a druggist of Crotfton Neb, and H.M. Cooley, editor of the Crofton Journal were drowned in the Missouri River at 2 o'clock this morning when Mr. Cass' auto, a Ford, plunged over the side of the pontoon bridge into 12 to 14 feet of water. O.D. Salley, barber, and L.S. Ross, jeweler, also of Crofton, were members of the party but although both experienced the terrible plunge into the river and hit the sandbar at the bottom, both managed to rise clear of the car and get to shore but hardly able to relate how; Salley especially, who was nearly drowned, is in a state of collapse over the loss of his intimate friend, Mr. Cooley.
[The bodies of Cass and Cooley were never found]

(Medical):Car plunged from the Yankton Pontoon Bridge into the Missouri River, body never recovered.

Occupation:
until his death in 1914

Herbert married Jane Elizabeth Holliday on 26 Apr 1905 in Holliday Farm, Knox Co, Nebraska. Jane (daughter of Hugh Sutton Holliday and Jane Dufton) was born on 20 Mar 1884 in Castle Sowerby, Cumberland, England; died on 1 Jan 1908 in Crofton, Knox Co, Nebraska; was buried about Jan 1908 in Pleasant View Cemetery, Pierce Co, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The following is from a newspaper clipping, just the story; no source, no dates. I will make an educated guess it was from the Plainview News, Plainview, Pierce Co, Nebraska, in January 1908.
Death of Mrs. Merton Cooley The sad intelligence was received in our city yesterday, announcing the sudden death of Mrs. Merton Cooley [Jane Elizabeth Holliday] at her home in Crofton [Knox County, Nebraska]. The remains will arrive here [probably Plainview] this afternoon and the funeral services will be conducted from the M.E. Church Friday. The deceased was the daughter of H.S. Holliday, and was well and favorably known by all in Plainview and vicinity. On April 26th, 1905, she was united in marriage to Merton Cooley, to which union were born two children, one son [now] twenty-one months of age [Ronald Delos Cooley] and another but two weeks old [Merton Beth Cooley]. Her death was caused from contracting a severe cold shortly after giving birth to their little son. The bereaved husband and other relatives have the heartfelt sympatthy of all in ths their sad hour of tribulation.

Obituary
Plainview Republican, Plainview, Nebraska, 9 Jan 1908
Jane Elizabeth Holliday was born March 20, 1884, in Hallfield, the country home of her parents in Castle Sowerby Parish, Cumberland county, England, and died at Crofton, Neb., Jan. 1, 1908, of acute peritonitis. While yet a child she was baptized in the Church of England. In 1892 she moved with her parents to Canada, remaining there but one year. During this brief stay the mother died. In 1893 she with her father and family came to Plainview, Nebr., where she resided until her marriage to Herbert Merton Cooley, April 26, 1905, when she with her husband moved to Crofton, Neb.; remaining there until her death. Mrs. Cooley was a true and faithful wife, a loving and solicitous mother, a kind and obliging neighbor. She was highly respected by all, for to know her was to love her. She leaves a devoted husband, two little sons, Ronald aged two years and a babe scarcely four weeks old; a father Hugh S. Holliday; three sisters, Martha who resides in California, Mary who lives at home and Hannah now Mrs. Jack Menret, three brothers, Robert, John and Hugh Jr.; other relatives and a host of friends to mourn her departure. All the near relatives were present at the funeral except her father who was confined at home on account of sickness and the sister in California. Impressive funeral services were held at the Plainview Methodist Episcopal church January 3, conducted by Rev. J. P. Yost, pastor, assisted by Rev. DeWeese of the Congregational church and Rev. Grey of the Baptist church. Her remains were laid to rest in the new cemetery north of town, there to await the "Glorious Resurrection Morn".

When some beloved voice that was to you
Both sound and sweetness faileth and deny
And silence, against which you dare not cry
Aches round you like a strong disease and new
What hope? What help? What music will undo
That silence to your sense! Not friendship's sigh
Not reason's subtle count. Nay none of these
Speak Thou availing Christ and fill this pause.
L.

CARD OF THANKSWe desire to express our heartfelt thanks to all who so kindly and tenderly assisted us in laying away our loved one - H. Merton Cooley and Family

(Research):Castle Sowerby, (or Sowerby-Castle), a parish in Leith ward, in the county of Cumberland, 2 miles S.E. of Hesket-Newmarket, 10 S. of Carlisle, and 11 N.W. of Penrith, its post town and railway station, being 295 from London. It lies within the limits of the forest of Inglewood, near the river Caldew, and includes the townships of Bustabeck Bound, How Bound, Row Bound, Southernby Bound, and Stockdalewath Bound. In How Bound formerly stood a castle, of which all traces have disappeared." [Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Cumberland was a historic county of North West England that had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. It bordered Northumberland to the east, County Durham to the southeast, Westmorland and Lancashire to the south, and Dumfriesshire in Scotland to the north. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 (excluding Carlisle from 1914) and now forms, along with Westmorland and parts of historic northern Lancashire, Cumbria.

Notes:

In his petition for naturalization, Seth Kyffin listed his birthplace as Wrexham, Wales which was a Registration District in Denbigshire according to Wales censuses
Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S. Penitentiary, Name Index to Inmate Case Files, 1895-1931
Name: Seth J. Kyffin
Incarceration Date: 29 Apr 1930
Inmate Number: 36372

(Research):Social Security Death Index Seth Kyffin
Name: Seth Kyffin
SSN: 523-09-7442Last Residence: 80215 Lakewood, Jefferson, Colorado, United States of America
Born: 19 Jul 1881
Died: Nov 1967
State (Year) SSN issued: Colorado (Before 1951)
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 about Seth James Kyffin
Name: Seth James Kyffin
County: Delta
State: Colorado
Birth Date: 19 Jul 1881
Race: White
FHL Roll Number: 1544482
DraftBoard: 0
U.S. Citizen:
Native son: No
Naturalized: YesCitizen by father's naturlization before registrant's majority: Yes
Nearest relative: Julia Kyffin, wife
xxx ?odge, Delta, Delta Co, Colorado
England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 about Seth Kyffin
Name: Seth Kyffin
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1881
Registration district: Auckland
Inferred County: Durham
Volume: 10a

New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 about Seth Kyffin
Name: Seth Kyffin
Arrival Date: 6 Apr 1889
Birth Year: abt 1882
Age: 7
Gender: MalePort of Departure: Liverpool, England and Queenstown, Ireland
Destination: United States of America
Port of Arrival: New York
Port Arrival State: New York
Port Arrival Country: United States
Ship Name: AdriaticSearch Ship Database: Search the Adriatic in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database

Name: Seth J Kyffin
Home in 1900: Denver, Arapahoe, Colorado
Age: 19
Birth Date: Jul 1881
Birthplace: Wales
Race: White
Gender: Male
Immigration Year: 1889
Relationship to head-of-house: Son
Father's name: Pierce Kyffin
Father's Birthplace: Wales
Mother's name: Jane Kyffin
Mother's Birthplace: Wales
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: View on Image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Pierce Kyffin 42
Jane Kyffin 44
Seth J Kyffin 19
John H Kyffin 15
Perce L Kyffin 13
Albert Kyffin 12
Frank Kyffin 5

Seth married Julia S. Oram on 8 Nov 1901 in Denver, Denver Co, Colorado. Julia (daughter of Charles D. Oram and Martha J. (Wife of Charles D. Oram) [?]) was born about 1882; died about 1959; was buried in Akron Cemetery, Washington Co, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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:

It is said Hugh S Holliday Sr and at least his son Robert William crossed the US-Canadian border in 1893 however, Canadian National Archives records begin in 1895. They eventually came to Verdigris Twp, Holt County, Nebraska.
The State of Nebraska does not have the exact date of death of Hugh Sutton Holliday, Sr who died in year 1937.

ObituaryThe Orchard News, Orchard, Nebraska, 25 Jun 1937, Page 1
HUGH HOLLIDAY SR. . After several weeks illness, death claimed Hugh S. Holliday, of this city Wednesday night about midnight [23 Jun 1937]. Mr. Holliday has lived in Antelope county for over thirty-six years; and for the past many years has made his home at this nlace with his daughier, Miss Mary. The deceased would have been 92 years of age the 26th of July [1937]. He is survived by three sons, John and Robert of Orchard. Hugh, Jr of Page [Holt County, Nebraska]; three daughters, Miss Mary, Orchard; Mrs. Vollertsen, Battle Creek, Iowa; and another daughter. Miss Martha. Beverly Hills, California. Funeral - services will be held at the home Saturday morning at ten oclock conducted by Rev. Paul H. Riggs. Interment will be made in the Plainview cemetery beside a daughter who passed away a number of years ago.

(Research):Cumberland is a historic county of North West England that had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. It was bordered by Northumberland to the east, County Durham to the southeast, Westmorland and Lancashire to the south, and the Scottish counties of Dumfriesshire and Roxburghshire to the north. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 (excluding Carlisle from 1914) and now forms part of Cumbria.
Cumbria is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county of Cumbria was created in April 1974 through an amalgamation of the administrative counties of Cumberland and Westmorland after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's county town is Carlisle, in the north of the county, and the only other major urban area is Barrow-in-Furness on the southwestern tip of the county.
Carlisle is a cathedral city in Cumbria in North West England as well as the administrative centre for both Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Eden, Caldew and Petteril, 16 km south of the Scottish border. Originally in the historic county of Cumberland, it is now the largest town in the county of Cumbria. The earliest recorded inhabitants were the Carvetii tribe of Britons who made up the main population of ancient Cumbria and North Lancashire. According to Boethius and John of Fordun, Carlisle existed before the arrival of the Romans who built a timber fort at the site of present Carlisle Castle in the winter of 73 BCE.

Hugh married Jane Dufton about 1877 in Penrith, Cumberland, England. Jane was born on 14 Feb 1846 in Middlesceugh, Cumberland, England; died on 30 Mar 1893 in Orchard, Antelope Co, Nebraska; was buried about Mar 1893 in Pleasant View Cemetery, Pierce Co, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Confusing note on Ancestry: Pierce Kyffin mayjesse2added this on 10 Feb 2011 Pierce Kyffin born about 1858 was not a Kyffin but really Pierce Davies. His mother Catherine was a widow who married John Kyffin (also his second marriage). To confuse matters John had a son Price by his first marriage. Pierce is down on the census of 1861 as Pierce Kyffin - stepson. His elder sister was Jane Davies (also known as "Kyffin" during her childhood). Pierce followed his stepbrothers Seth & John to the USA in 1889. I think his wife was Jane Parry, They married in the first quarter of 1881. Had 5 children. My husband is descendant of Jane Davies.

Pierce married Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Charles married Martha J. (Wife of Charles D. Oram) [?]. Martha was born about 1863; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]