My Genealogy Hound

Isaac Cooley, farmer, Bingen, Ark. The county of Pike, already one of the best in the State of Arkansas, would indeed be still much better off if it had more citizens with characteristics similar to those possessed by Mr. Cooley. A native of White County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on May 19, 1823, his career from the time of his settlement here, and, indeed, from commencing life, was one of only hard work, strict economy, and an intelligent application to the details of his various branches of business. He is the eldest of eight children born to William and Sarah (Hudson) Cooley, natives of South Carolina. The parents moved to Tennessee in 1815, resided in that State until 1845, and then moved to Hempstead County, Ark., where they made their home until 1855. They then moved to Pike County, and there settled permanently. The father died in 1870 at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother died in 1877 at the age of seventy-nine years. Isaac Cooley was reared in Tennessee, obtained a limited education in the commons schools, and commenced for himself at the age of twenty years. He started out as an agriculturist, and this has since been his principal occupation. He is the owner of 115 acres of land with about fifty acres under cultivation, and this yields an average crop. He was first married in 1848 to Miss Linnie E. D. Rodgers, of Kentucky, and the daughter of John and Sarah W. Rodgers, who moved to this State from Kentucky in 1839. Mr. Rodgers was a farmer, and owned a great amount of land in Pike County. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooley were born nine children, six now living, all married, and all residing in this State. They are named as follows: John R., William T., Jefferson D., Sarah F., Elvira T. and Irene J. Sarah F. was married in 1869 to Mr. E. K. McGloflin, a farmer, who died about 1879. Her second husband was John Duncan, who resides in Pike County. They were married in 1881. Elvira T. married, in 1873, Mr. R. B. Thompson, a farmer residing in Pike County. Irene J. married, in 1885, Mr. Monroe Cox, a farmer residing in Sevier County. Mr. Cooley’s second marriage was in 1887, to Sarah J. Warrin, of Tennessee, and daughter of Felix and Eliza Warrin, who moved to this State from Tennessee in 1861. Mr. Cooley is a member of the Masonic fraternity, which he joined in 1862, and is a Master Mason. He and most of his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In his political views he adheres to the Democratic party, has held the office of magistrate of Brewer Township several terms, and also served one term as county judge of Pike County. He enlisted as a private in the Confederate army in 1864, and served west of the Mississippi River. He was in the Missouri raid and participated in numerous skirmishes, but was in no important battles. He is a liberal supporter of all laudable enterprises, and a worthy citizen in every particular.