WI BIO - Dane Co - COOLEY, Charles F.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II, pp 441-442

Colonel Charles F. COOLEY was born in Utica, Oneida County, NY, 19 Jul 1847. 
His father, Warren COOLEY, was born in Livingston County, NY, 16 May 1823. 
His father, the grandfather of our subject, Alexander COOLEY, Jr., was born 
in the CT River valley, and the great grandfather of our subject, as far as 
known, was also born in CT. He [Alexander COOLEY, Sr.] removed from CT to NY 
previous to the War of 1812, was a volunteer in that war, and was severely 
wounded in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. Warren COOLEY's father, Alexander 
COOLEY, Jr., was also in the battle of Sackett's Harbor with his father, 
Alexander COOLEY, Sr. He [Alexander COOLEY, Sr.] was a farmer, and in 
addition to agricultural pursuits, engaged in the lumber business. He first 
settled in Lewis County, NY, and from there removed to York, Livingston 
County, NY, and in 1822 moved to Villenova [Chautauqua County], NY, where he 
bought land, engaged in farming, and resided there until his death.

The grandfather of our subject, Alexander COOLEY, Jr., was a young man when 
his parents removed to NY and was engaged in farming and the lumber business 
with his father and brothers, Robert and Harry, in Lewis County, NY. The 
family all removed to Livingston County, NY, at the same time, and from there 
to Chautauqua County, NY. He [Alexander COOLEY, Jr.] bought a tract of land 
in the town of Villenova, at once erected a log house, and commenced to clear 
a farm. There were no railroads or canals in the county for years, 
consequently no convenient markets. The people lived principally off of the 
products of their land and the wild game that abounded. The grandmother of 
our subject used to card, weave and spin, and dressed her children in 
homespun made by her own hands. Standing timber had no value, and large 
trees were cut and the logs rolled together and burned. From the ashes they 
used to manufacture black salts, which would always sell for cash. Farm 
products were readily exchanged for goods at the store. Our subject's 
grandfather lived on his place five years, when the log house was burned, and 
he bought another tract of land two miles distant, and there improved a farm 
and resided until his death. The maiden name of his [Alexander COOLEY, 
Jr.'s] wife was Lydia Soloman, born in Lewis County, NY, and died at the home 
of a son in Chautauqua County, NY. She reared three daughters and five sons.

The father of our subject [Warren COOLEY] received his primary education in 
the pioneer schools of Chautauqua County, NY. He was 14 years old when his 
father [Alexander COOLEY, Jr.] died, and went to live with a Quaker family, 
who two years later moved to Utica, [Oneida County], NY, and he received his 
education in the city schools there. At the age of 19 he commenced clerking 
in a general store in Utica, and remained in that position a few months, and 
then entered into business in a [p 442] lumber yard for a time. He finally 
engaged in mercantile business in Utica in 1855, then came to WI and located 
in the town of Fort Winnebago [Columbia County], and bought a farm, and 
farmed for a short time, and then sold out and bought land near Lodi 
[Columbia County], WI, and farmed there until 1885, and then came to Madison, 
Dane County, WI, where he has since resided.

On 05 Nov 1844 Warren COOLEY married Miss Harriet Isabella MARTIN, who was 
born in England, the daughter of Andrew and May (WILKINS) MARTIN, who were 
natives of England, and who came to America in 1830. The mother of our 
subject, Harriet Isabella (MARTIN) COOLEY, died in Aug 1877. She reared five 
children: Charles F., Antoinette, Edward, Oscar, and Minerva H. Our subject 
received his early education in the public schools of Utica [Oneida County, 
NY], and advanced in the public schools of Portage and Fort Winnebago [both 
in Columbia County, WI]. He assisted his father on the farm until his 16th 
year, and then he enlisted in Company C, 23rd WI Volunteer Infantry, and 
served one year, when he was discharged on account of ill health, and 
returned home. He soon regained his health and returned to the army and 
re-enlisted in Company A, 37th WI Volunteer Infantry, and served until after 
the close of the war. He was in the Army of the Potomac, and participated in 
the battle before Petersburg in Jun 1864, and was present at the mine 
explosion in Jul 1864. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged 
but with impaired health. After a time he went to ND and was employed by the 
North Pacific Railroad in the construction department for two years. In Jun 
1872 he made his advent into Madison, Dane County, WI, and was at that time 
the fortunate possessor of a pair of horses and a wagon and $150 in cash. He 
established a wood yard and commenced business in a small way, and from that 
beginning has developed his present business. His yards now occupy four 
lots, with shed room for 6,000 tons of coal and 2,000 cords of wood.

On 12 May 1872, Charles F. COOLEY was married to Miss Julia FREDERICKSON, who 
was born near Madison, Dane County, WI, a daughter of Peter and Julia 
FREDERICKSON. Charles F. and Julia (FREDERICKSON) COOLEY have five children: 
Harry, Alexander, Fanny, Ida, and Sarah. Our subject served as a member of 
the staff of General RUSK, and he is a member of the G. A. R., and a 
Republican in his political belief.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly