Gilbert Cooley,
son of Elias and Sarah (Alden) Cooley, was born Dec. 25,
1833, in Forrestville, Chautauqua County, N.Y.; was
educated there in common schools. In the fall of 1854 he
removed to Clayton County settling in Strawberry Point;
followed teaching school here two terms, and then engaged
in the lumber business on the Maquoketa River, Cass
Township. In the fall of "58 went to New York State,
and remained two years. Aug. 11, 1862, he enlisted in
Company D. Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer infantry, and was
elected Orderly Sergeant. He served three years, during
which time he was promoted to the rank of Second
Lieutenant. He participated in all the principal battles
of his regiment, and was mustered out with them at the
close of the war. He then engaged in the insurance
business, and has followed this and the sewing machine,
and organ business ever since. He served five years on
the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Cooley was married June 14,
1856, to Miss Martha F. Hammond, a native of East
Granville, Washington County, N.Y. They have had nine
children, five now living-- Edwin G., William P.,
Boardman, Kate and John A. Mrs. Cooley died Oct. 22,
1881. Mr. C. is a member of the Masonic and A. O. U. W.
societies. In politics he is a Republican. P.O.,
Strawberry Point. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 692 |