Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
COOLEY, D. N.
Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caflory&id=I031771
COOLEY, Dennis N. (Lisbon, Grafton Co, NH, Nov. 7, 1825-New York, Nov. 12, 1892). At the age of fifteen, Cooley left home, and after studying in the Newbury Seminary of Vermont, prepared for college. In 1850 he entered the office of Hon. H. F. Stoughton, and after studying law three years, was admitted to the Bar in 1854. Coming to Dubuque in 1854, Cooley during his career was a member of several law firms including Samuels and Cooley; Cooley, Blatchley and Adams; and Cooley and Eighmey.
Cooley served as Secretary of the National Republican Congressional Committee during Lincoln's presidential campaign. In 1864 President Lincoln appointed him to become the Commissioner of South Carolina where he sold land within Union lines during the CIVIL WAR.
Appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs by President Johnson in 1865, Cooley resigned in September 1866, and returned to his Dubuque law practice. He was elected president of FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE, a position he held for twenty-one years. In 1873 he was appointed Commissioner of the Vienna Exposition. Cooley ran successfully for the Iowa Senate and served from January 1, 1874 through January 9, 1876.
In addition to his bank position, Cooley served many years as President of the Board of Trustees for Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. In 1872 he endowed the D. N. Cooley chair of civil engineering. (1) He was also President of the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Association. In September 1850, he married Miss Clara Aldrich; they had four children.
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Source:
1. "Endowed by a Dubuquer," Dubuque Herald, July 11, 1872, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18720711&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 223
The Iowa Legislature. Dennis N. Cooley. Online: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator/legislatorAllYears?personID=4726