CLARK A. COOLEY

CLARK A. COOLEY is the efficient Clerk of Elk Grove Township, Cook County.  He resides on section 16, and is numbered among the prominent farmers of the community.  His entire life has been spent in this locality, and an honorable, upright career has gained him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.  He was born in Elk Grove Township, this county, September 21, 1847, and comes of an old New England family.   His father, Charles Cooley was a native of Vermont, and emigrated to Illinois in 1845, locating in Elk Grove Township, where he took up a claim from the Government and began the development of a farm, transforming the raw prairie into rich and fertile fields.  There he carried on agricultural pursuits and made his home until his death, which occurred in 1884, in his sixty-fourth year.  In politics, he was a Democrat, and served as School Director.  Mrs. Cooley, who bore the maiden name of Clara Green, is a native of Massachusetts, and is yet living, at the age of seventy-two.  Both families were of English origin.

In the Cooley family were seven children, our subject, who is the eldest, being the only son.  The daughters were: Kittie, wife of William Higgins, of Elk Grove Township; Mary, who died at the age of six years; Sarah, widow of John B. Weeks, and a resident of Beadle County, S. Dak.; Addie, who died at the age of a year and  a-half; Clara, wife of John Carson, a resident of Iowa; and Mary, who is engaged in teaching school, and makes her home in Arlington Heights.

C. A. Cooley spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farmer lads, and in the schools of Elk Grove Township acquired a good English education.  From an early age he has been familiar with all the details of farming, for as soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields, and to agricultural pursuits has since devoted his energies.  In his dealing, he has been quite successful.  His farm comprises one hundred and fifty-six acres of valuable land, and is considered one of the best in the township, for the fields are well tilled, and it is supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences.  In connection with general farming, the owner also carries on stock-raising and dealing, and has met with success in this line.

In 1871, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cooley and Miss Rosa J. Crego, a native of New York, who, when a maiden of twelve summers, removed with her parents to Arlington Heights, Ill.  There her girlhood days were passed.  Two children grace this union, a son and daughter, Frank A. and Anna E., both of whom are still at home.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Cooley is a Republican, and in 1893 was elected Clerk of his township, which position he is now creditably filling.  He has also served as School Director, and has filled other offices.  Having spent his entire life in this community, Mr. Cooley has witnessed the many changes which have taken place in the county, has seen its growth and upbuilding, and has aided in its development.  He has ever been a progressive and public-spirited man, and is recognized as a valued citizen.

                                -- Submitted on February 9, 2000 by Sherri Hessick ( [email protected] )