Cooley, John, Farmer and Blacksmith; Sec 6; P. O. Rochelle; born Aug. 10, 1829, in Bradford Co., Pa.; came to his present farm in 1838; owns 120 acres, valued at $50 per acre; married Eliza Austin Oct. 27, 1850; she was born April 5, 1833, in Knox Co., O.; her father, Edward Austin, lives with her; he was born Nov 3, 1799, in the Co. of Kent, England, and came to this country in 1830; her mother died Jan. 23 1854, aged 59 years; had eight children - five are living: Mary E. (now Mrs. Evans), born Sept. 6, 1854; Abigail E. (now Mrs. Crandall), Sept. 6, 1856; John W., Aug. 10, 1864; Cora E. Oct. 1. 1866; Austin M., Oct. 28, 1869; Mr. C., was present at the shooting of the Driscolls; his father, Rufus M., was born June 29, 1785 and died Aug. 25, 1873; his mother, Mary Horton, was born Oct. 1, 1796, and died Aug. 21, 1874.

Above: The History of Ogle County, Illinois, H. F. Kett & Co., Chicago, IL, 1878

John Cooley, owning a good farm of 120 acres of land on section 6, Flagg Township, is a son of Rufus M. and Mary (Horton) Cooley. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of Bradford Co., Pa. Rufus Cooley came to this county in the spring of 1837, with his wife and 11 children, and was consequently one of the early pioneers. He took up his abode in Pine Rock Township where he pre-empted 120 acres of land on which he settled and erected a house, and there lived, engaged in the cultivation and improvement of his land, until the date of his death, August 25, 1873, he at that time having attained the venerable age of 90 years. Just one year later, lacking five days, his good wife followed him home to the land of the heareafter, her demise occuring August 20, 1874. Their children were 11 in number named: Abigail, Elijah, William, Irene, Jackson, John, Lydia, Eliza, Mary, Austin and Joseph.

The gentleman whose name heads this biographical norice was the sixth child of his parent's family and was born in Bradford Co., Pa, August 10, 1829, being but eight years of age when his parents moved to this county, and has here resided until the present time. He received his education in the common schools and at the age of 20 years, "took up" farm labors, he has since followed. On on his fine farm he has erected a good residence, together with necessary out-buildings, good fences, etc., and has one of the most pleasant homes in Ogle County.

Mr. Cooley and Miss Eliza Austin, daughter of Edward and Emily (Ovenden) Austin, natives of England, were united in marriage in Pine Rock Township, October 27, 1850.

The parents of Mrs. Cooley emigrated from the Mother Country to the United States in 1830, first settling in Ohio. There they lived for 20 years, and in 1849 came to this county, locating in Pine Rock Township, and shorlty afterward moved into Flagg Township where the mother died January 23, 1854. The father survived his wife until October 1882, the date of his demise. They had 10 children: Emily, Mary A., Rachel, Margaret, Sarah J., Eliza, Charlotte, George, John and Lenora. Eliza, Mrs. Cooley was born in Knox Co., Ohio, April 5, 1833, and of her union with Mr. Cooley, eight children have been born: Caroline, Mary Emily, Abbie, Eliza, Frances, John W., Cora E. and Austin M. Caroline, Eliza and Frances are now deceased. Emily is the wife of Curtis Evans, who resides in Nebraska, and they have four children: Blanche, Frank, Elmer and Lida M. Abbie Married Daniel B. Crandall who also resides in Nebraska, and to them two children have been born: Lulu I. and Clarence C. John W. Cora and Austin Cooley, the remaining children, reside on the old homestead. Mr. Cooley has been School Director of his township, and in politics votes with the Republican Party.

Above: Ogle Co. Portrait and Biographical Album" by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1886

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