Bio of COOLEY, George Washington (b.1845), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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GEORGE WASHINGTON COOLEY - Vol III, pg 608-611
In official and unofficial connections George Washington Cooley contributed in
notable measure to the improvement of the highways of Minnesota and there was no
man who was more enthusiastically a supporter of good roads in the state. His
activity was always a decisive element for progress and he labored just as
earnestly and just as effectively to advance the public welfare as he did to
promote his indi­vidual successes. Mr. Cooley was born in New York city on the
17th of January, 1845, and his parents were Joseph and Sophia (Mason) Cooley,
who were natives of outlying districts of London, England. The son obtained his
educational training in public and private schools and his professional
knowledge was acquired through practical work in the field. In the year 1864 he
became assistant engineer on the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad and was thus
employed until 1866. In that year he began business on his own account at
Minneapolis, where he continued until 1898, after which he confined his
attention exclusively to highway construction. He was assistant engineer of the
Northern Pacific Railroad, assuming the duties of that position in 1870, and in
1883 he became identified with the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad, his
connection therewith covering about two years. In 1873 he was called to the
office of county surveyor of Hennepin county for a two years' term and was again
chosen to the position of county surveyor in 1899, continuing to fill the
posi­tion until the 15th of January, 1906, when he resigned. He had been elected
to the office of state engineer and secretary of the state highway commission,
his long practical experience and important service in engineering capacities
well qualifying him for the responsibilities of these positions. He also filled
public office outside the strict path of his profession, being from 1884 until
1888 an alderman of Minne­apolis, representing the eighth ward.
Mr. Cooley belonged to the American Society of Civil Engineers, was a past
president of the Surveyors Association of Minnesota and a past president of the
Hennepin County Good Roads Association. In 1900 he was elected to the presidency
of the Minnesota Good Roads Association and continued to act in that capacity
until 1906, when he assumed his duties as a state official. He had comprehensive
understanding of all the scientific principles and practical phases of
engineering as represented in the important projects with which he was
associated and the valuable nature of his service was attested by all.
In 1872, in Minneapolis, Mr. Cooley was married to Miss Lida N. Grimshaw, a
daughter of Robert E. and Mary (Nicholson) Grimshaw, who were natives of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and located in Minneapolis in 1857. Her father was
one of the pioneer builders of this city and died July 10, 1900, at the age of
eighty-three years, his birth having occurred in 1817. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooley
were born three sons and three daughters: George Robert, now in Seattle,
Washington; Zoe; Sophia; Francis, also of Seattle; Ralph M., living in St. Paul;
and Lida M. The death of Mr. Cooley occurred September 25, 1921, when he had
reached the age of seventy-six years, and thus was terminated a life of great
usefulness and activity. He had always been a stanch advocate of republican
principles and he was prominent in fraternal circles, being identified with all
of the Masonic bodies, also with the Inde­pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the
Knights of Pythias. He likewise had membership in the Commercial and Automobile
Clubs of Minneapolis and in the Com­mercial Club of St. Paul. He studied closely
the problems vital to the welfare of the city and state and knew the economic
worth of good roads, being able to speak clearly and intelligently upon the
subject and win others to the cause. In this respect Minneapolis and the state
owes him a debt of gratitude.