Biography of Peter V. H. COOL, DeWitt County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Earliene Kaelin Source: The People in History 1882 History P. V. H. COOL Peter Cool, the grandfather of the present Cool family, was a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He emigrated to Ohio, and in 1853 came to Illinois, and settled in Bloomington, where he died. He married Sophia Harris, and one of the offspring of that union was Noah H. Cool, the father of Peter. He was born near Zanesville, in Muskingum county, Ohio, and came to Bloomington, Illinois, in 1855; he died in 1880. He married Mary Van Horn, who was born in Virginia, but was a resident of Ohio at the time of her marriage. By that marriage there were eight children, three sons and five daughters; Peter Van Horn Cool is the eldest of the family. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, March 8, 1840. He came with his parents to Bloomington in 1855, and at the age of seventeen commenced learning the trade of baker which he continued until 1862, when he was appointed on police force of Bloomington, and remained on the force for nine years. In 1871 he went back to baking, and continued in Bloomington until January, 1874, when he came to Farmer City, and worked at his trade for J. S. Baltzell, with whom he continued for three years, then worked for David Kelly for two years, then went into business for himself, and started a bakery, restaurant and dealer in fancy groceries, and in that business he has continued to the present. He has suffered some serious losses since he has been in business. On the 22d of August, 1880, his stock was burned, entailing a loss of nearly fifteen hundred dollars. His only capital with which to start up again was grit, knowledge of business and a determination to succeed. On the 7th of May, 1862, he married Miss S. A. Doonan, a native of New York, but resident of Bloomington. There are ten children by that marriage, seven of whom are living, three sons and four daughters. Their names, in the order of their birth, are: Adah, Maffett, Elmer, Mary, Fanny, Courtney, Nellie and Joseph Cool. Mr. Cool is a member of the K. of P., and belongs to Kenilwot Lodge, Farmer City. Politically, he supports the men and measures of the Republican party. At present he is a member of the board of aldermen of the city, and represents the 3rd ward in that body. He is an advocate of temperance, and was elected upon the Prohibition ticket. He was for six months acting mayor of the city. Mr. Cool is one of the enterprising business men of Farmer City. He has by industry, and close attention, to his business, built up a good trade, which is constantly increasing; he is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, and has many friends in Farmer City. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Earliene Kaelin