Biography of J.C. Cooley   Massac County, Illinois

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
Vera Burnham    <vburnham@metrocast.net>

Source:
"The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope & Hardin Counties, Illinois"
Published in 1893

Page 138 & 139
                    

J.C. Cooley, Veterinary Surgeon, and Proprietor of the livery, feed, and sale 
stable on 6th St., Metropolis is a son of Edmund C. Cooley, who came to this 
county in 1869 from Tennesse of which State he was a native. He was a slave in 
his native State and while in slavery married Maria Bearfield, who was also a 
slave. She is still living and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. 
Of the family there are but two children now living, Hasker and J.C. the latter 
of whom was born, October 11, 1853 in Tennesse. He had an opportunity of 
attending school to the extent of about ten weeks, all told and did not therefore
acquire much knowledge in school. He however afterward, built upon the little that
he did thus acquire by observation and actual experience in life. His father was a
very generous and liberal man, and was always helping some one by lending money 
and in other ways and for this reason he did not accumulate much property. 
J. C. Cooley was always a determined kind of boy. He lived with his father until
he was twenty yrs. old at which time his father died. He always had a likeing for
horses and for trading, and studied various works on disceases of the horse in 
this way becomming well informed on the subject. Thus equipped but without money
he started in buisness with an old Knock-Kneed, sprained and hide bound mare, put
her in condition and traded her off for a good horse and from this beginning , he
has built a house and continued to follow his profession as a veterinary surgeon  
and accumumulated considerable money until he was able to open his present buisness.
Here he has his full share of trade and keeps a good stock of horses and buggies,
transfer wagons, omnibuses, carriages, etc. He began where he is now located, in 
1881, and at present time he is in a good financial condition. 
In 1880 Mr. Cooley was married to Love Turnbo, a native of Tennesse, whose parents 
removed from that State to Illinois. Her father is still living but her mother is 
dead. Mr. & Mrs. Cooley have one child John L. who was born in 1881. Mrs. Cooley 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Colley has attained his present position of prosperity where by his own 
efforts and deserves great credit for his success.