SOURCE: Bowen, B.F. Biographical memoirs of St. Clair County, Michigan to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography; memoirs of eminent men and women in the United States. Logansport, Ind. 1903; accessed through the University of Michigan Library (2005), Ann Arbor, Michigan.
John Cogley (1835 – 1916)
A dispute often arises in this country, especially during political campaigns, as to the relative prosperity of the farming communities of Canada and the United States. People may talk and discuss the matter, looking at it from different standpoints, and adducing statistics to strengthen their various positions, but it is doubtful if the real truth can ever be established. As an indication, however, it might be well to take the condition of a number of families living in the United States for forty or fifty years and the same number of families living in Canada for that period, and see which have made the greatest advancement. This, of course, is open to the objection that too much depends upon the families and not enough upon the opportunities. Admitted, and yet, a very fair illustration of the possibilities of the two countries is furnished in the case of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Cogley, who came from Canada to St. Clair county, Michigan, in 1855.
John Cogley was born in Kilmore, in the county of Wexford, Ireland, in the year of 1836, and was the son of Patrick and Mary (Murphy) Cogley, who emigrated from Ireland in 1847, with their ten children, six sons and four daughters, and located on a farm near Belleville, Canada, where they resided for a period of eight years. In 1855 they came to St. Clair county, Michigan, where they resided until the death of the parents, some years ago, and where several of the younger members of the family still reside.
John Cogley, who was about ten years of age when he came to America, received some education in the primary branches before leaving his native land, which was added to and enlarged upon during the eight years of his residence in Canada. His good health and vigorous constitution, coupled with his activity and industry, made him a valuable assistant to his father and brother in the work of clearing and farming their land, both in Canada and in Michigan. The family secured five hundred acres of heavy timber in St. Clair county, and with the sturdy energy of the father and sons they were not many years in converting the tract into a large and fertile farm.
In February, 1865, John Cogley was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Kelly, daughter of John A. Kelly, who came to the United States many years ago and settled at Conner Creek, near Detroit. They were the parents of nine children. Mr. Kelly was a life-long Democrat, but never an aspirant for office. Mr. and Mrs. Cogley began housekeeping in a log house erected by him on a piece of land which he had purchased in the woods of Kenockee township, and with characteristic energy he proceeded to clear this land, and within a short time had a well-improved, productive farm.
To him and his wife nine children were born, viz : John is a carpenter and farmer; James lives in this township; Margaret is the wife of William Cameron, a farmer of Kenockee township: William is a farmer, and married Lillie Mackey; Frank married Rosie Elair, is a moulder and lives in Detroit; Charles, Edward, George and Thomas are still at home. Each has received a good school education, is intelligent and capable and gives fair promise of being able to accomplish much in life.
In his time William Cogley has cleared not less than two hundred acres of land, much of this for himself. In the farm which he owns and occupies there are one hundred and sixty acres, and it is nearly all under cultivation. He raises grain, hay, vegetables and some fruit, and breeds and feeds cattle, horses and hogs, of the latter Chester White being his favorite. He also devotes some time to dealing it;t stock, buying, shipping and selling. In all that he has undertaken he has been very successful, and while by no means rich, or anxious to be considered so, he is possessed of an enviable financial standing. In politics he is a Democrat, but never could be prevailed upon to aspire for or hold office outside of a membership in the school board. In local affairs he always considers the man, and not the party.
He is a member of the Catholic church, and all of his children have been brought up in that creed, and are substantial contributors to the support and propagation of the faith. With the equipment supplied him by nature in the way of brain, muscle and energy, he has accomplished much for himself, his family and the community. His ready intelligence, genial disposition and unselfish nature have won for him the admiration and respect of all. [ref]Transcribed from pages 654-655.[/ref]
William Cogley Sr (1842 – 1924)
Few of us who enjoy the blessings of free institutions here in America consider what our lot might have been had not some worthy, hard-working old ancestor conceived the idea of abandoning home, kindred and all that was dear to him in some country over in Europe in order that he might create in this country a home and fortune for his posterity. We are all accustomed to lavish much praise on the fortitude of Columbus. and justly so, but our progenitors – the men and women who years ago crossed the water – had in each of them something of the fortitude of Columbus, and are therefore entitled to a very large share of our gratitude. They had an end in view that was not wholly selfish; it was to benefit their children. They had fortitude, and it was of the right sort, for they risked all in the perilous voyage.
Such a voyage was the one made by Patrick Cogley and his wife Mary, natives of the county of Wexford, Ireland, who, with their six sons and four daughters, emigrated to America in 1847. William Cogley, one of the six sons, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in the county of Wexford, Ireland, September 23, 1842, and hence was but five years old when he came to America. They landed in Canada and wasted little time in making an investment in eighty acres of land. Upon this they erected a home and at once set about the difficult task of clearing the land. For eight years the family abided in a Canadian forest, but by that time Mr. Cogley became aware of the much better opportunities afforded a settler in the United States. He sold his Canadian farm and again moved westward with his family, this time settling in St. Clair county, where he secured five hundred acres of land, built another home and again, with the aid of his six sons, proceeded with the task of clearing the land. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Cogley are Nicholas. Kate, John, Patrick, Clement, James, William, Maggie, Mary and Anna. James is a foundryman and hardware merchant at Emmett; Kate resides in Port Huron, and Nicholas, John, Patrick, Clement and William are all farmers. The members of the family are all Catholics, devout and attentive to the duties of their church and liberal contributors to its support. In politics Mr. Cogley was a Democrat, but never had any taste whatever for the spoils of office. In the early day, when game was plenty, he was something of a sportsman and was famed for good marksmanship. He kept the family larder well supplied the first years of his residence in Canada and Michigan with venison and other wild game. He died in 1880.
After William Cogley grew to manhood and began working for himself he was not long in securing a piece of land and put in his spare time clearing and improving it. On the 25th of May, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Powers, daughter of Nicholas and Mary (McGraw) Powers, natives of Ireland, who immigrated to the United States a number of years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. William Cogley eight children have been born, viz: Nellie married John Kennedy and they are the parents of a son. Leo; Maggie died at the age of twenty-one; Louisa is also dead; Kathleen is at home; William graduated from the Jesuit College of Detroit in 1898 and is now in the University of St. Louis, preparing himself for the priesthood ; James is working on the home farm and Mark is still at home. All of the children have had the benefit of a good education, are possessed of good habits, moral and thrifty.
Mr. Cogley is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of choice land, one hundred of which is clear and under cultivation. He devotes his time to general farming and stock raising. His favorite stock is Durham cattle and Poland China hogs, of which breeds he always keeps a good supply. In connection with the operation of his farm, he buys, ships and sells cattle and hogs, having a preference for the Buffalo market. In politics he is a Democrat. He served four years as school inspector and is at the present time holding the office of justice of the peace. He is a member of the Catholic church and a devout observer of his religious duties. He is a good citizen and a man of integrity and ability, whose many sterling good qualities are appreciated by his neighbors and friends. [ref]Transcribed from pages 655-657.[/ref]
Patrick Cogley Jr (1836 – 1924)
In one of the numerous “risings” of the liberty-loving Irish against British rule a battle was fought in or near the county of Wexford, Ireland, that has found a place in Irish history and is designated as the battle of Vinegar Hill. It did not attain as wide celebrity as the battle of the Boyne, for the reason that as much did not depend upon the result and the slaughter was not nearly so great, but the fighting was sufficiently exciting, while it lasted, to make a lasting impression upon the participants. Within sight of this famous battleground was the home of the Cogleys for many generations. Of course they were ardent patriots and many members of the family and their kinsmen stood shoulder to shoulder, practically without arms, and withstood volley after volley from the English musketry. The battle resulted, as might easily have been anticipated, in the retreat of the Irish, who were without weapons of modern warfare, having to come within reaching distance of the foe before they could inflict any injury whatever. Nevertheless the encounter cost Britain the lives of many of her gallant soldiers.
At the home of the Cogleys, in the county of Wexford, within the shadow of Vinegar Hill, on the 16th day of September, 1836, Patrick Cogley, the subject of this sketch, was born, the son of Patrick and Mary (Murphy) Cogley, both of whom were the descendants of good Irish stock. They were the parents of six sons and four daughters, all strong, healthy children. In 1847 the parents decided to take their children and come to America, the political conditions prevailing in Ireland at that time being the chief incentive to Mr. and Mrs. Cogley to get out of the country. They landed in Canada and took up their residence near Belleville, Ontario. Here they cleared land and farmed for about 8 years, but having aspirations for true liberty, which could not be found elsewhere but under the aegis of the American flag, they determined to move where such freedom could be obtained, consequently they disposed of their possessions in Canada and in 1855 the family moved to St. Clair county, Michigan. Here they purchased land, having at one time 500 acres, and after building a home in Kenockee township went to clearing up their land. Within a few years they had a large, well improved and productive farm and were among the most prosperous people of the county.
The parents died many years ago. When the family moved to Michigan, Patrick Cogley was about 19 years old, and was a youth of fair education, bright intellect, strong constitution and vigorous health. His life of eight years in the Canadian woods, most of the time swinging an ax, had hardened his muscles and inured him to hard labor. It is told of him that some time after coming to Michigan he cleared up with his ax ten acres of timber in five weeks. In the early days it was said of him that he was one of the best men with an ax in St. Clair county. The first two months of his residence in Michigan were spent in Port Huron and from there he went to Kenockee township and has been one of its active residents ever since. He helped to lay out and make some of the first roads constructed in the township.
On the 30th day of October, 1865, Mr. Cogley was united in marriage to Miss Bridget McFarland, a lady of good education and attainments, and the daughter of John and Mary (McHugh) McFarland, who had emigrated from Ireland and settled in Essex county, Canada, where Bridget was born. Mr. McFarland was a thrifty and enterprising farmer, and never left Canada after locating there. In politics he was a Conservative and quite active. He was township treasurer several times, assessor and member of the school board. He owned two hundred acres of well improved land and was eminently successful in his business of farming. He died in 1873; his widow survived him 17 years, going to her reward in 1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Cogley 5 children have been born, viz: Jennie resides with her parents; Edward married Stella Ramsey, is a farmer in Kenockee township and owns a choice piece of land; Clarence helps in the management of the home farm and resides at home; Nellie and Irene, the 2 younger girls, are also at home.
The home farm consists of 80 acres, is highly improved and under a splendid state of cultivation. It is a valuable piece of property and handsomely serves the purpose for which it is used. The subject and his son carry on general farming and stock raising, preferring Durham cattle and Poland China hogs to other breeds. Buying, shipping and selling stock enters largely into the business of Mr. Cogley and his experience has made him an excellent judge of stock. The modern method of farming, viz: Keeping enough stock to eat up the crops, meets with favor in his sight and is practiced by him with profit. In politics Mr. Cogley is a Democrat, but at all local elections he prefers to be independent. In state and national elections he is always interested and often is the means of rendering his party effective service. For eight years he served as justice of the peace, has been a member of the school board and in educational work is always active. He is a member of the Catholic church and strict in the observance of his religious duties. Few men wield greater influence in a community than does he in matters which he considers of sufficient moment. [ref]Transcribed from pages 664-666.[/ref]
James Cogley (1840 – 1910)
The man who native worth and ability in his composition always grows and develops with his surrounding. He is in the forefront of every enterprise, the herald of every worthy improvement, the intimate friend of local development, the boon companion of municipal thrift. Such a man, no matter how old he gets, never becomes a back number, nor can he ever be truthfully accused of being a “has been.” With him life is real and earnest. He may begin in a log cabin, but keeps pace with the advancement of the community stands eventually the peer of his neighbors. This trait of character distinguishes the American from the inhabitant of any other nation. It is not confined to any race or class of people on this continent, but seems to be in the very atmosphere itself. The fever for growth development permeates every being and everything. The German, the Irishman, the Scandinavian, all catch the contagion once they set foot on the shores of America. Though James Cogley, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland and lived there until he was seven years old, his subsequent residence in this country has made him a typical American. In habit, thrift, enterprise and bent of mind is a true son of the soil of his adopted country. It is America that is now dominating the world that domination does not come from any one race or stock, but from the entire American people collectively.
James Cogley was born in Ireland, August 5, 1840, the son of Patrick and Mary (Murphy) Cogley, who were the parents of nine children, viz: Nicholas, Catharine, John, Patrick, Clement, James, William, Peter and Michael. They had the good sense to emigrate to America before the famine of 1848 and brought all of their bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked boys and girls with them. The first eight years of their residence in America were spent in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, to which they came in 1847. In 1855 the family came to St. Clair county. Two more babies, Margaret and Mary, were added to the interesting group in Canada and another, Anna, came after the family located in Michigan. A tract of three hundred and twenty acres of land was purchased in Kenockee township and the family built a modest home and set about clearing the land, which was then a dense forest in which wild game of all kinds abounded. Each of the boys cultivated a passion for hunting, but it was not so intense as to cause them to neglect their regular employment of clearing the land. The family larder was always kept well supplied with the choicest wild game the forest afforded and the first year of their residence on the land sixty acres of the virgin forest fell before the sturdy strokes of the young woodmen’s axes. Later one hundred and sixty acres more were added and within a very few years the Cogley farm was one of the model farms of St. Clair county. In religion, Mr. and Mrs. Cogley were Catholics, firm believers and active workers in the faith, and all their children were brought up in the fold of that church. The father of the family passed to his eternal rest, August 15, 1880, conscious of the noble work he had done for his posterity in locating his children in free, independent country, abounding in opportunity, prosperity and happiness for all whose lives are deserving of these blessings. The children each received a good common school education, married well and all have been gratified in seeing their children grow up to be useful men and women.
When he came to choose his life calling, James Cogley decided to become a blacksmith. Accordingly, when still quite young, he went to Memphis, Michigan, and entered the blacksmith shop of S.S. Eaton, where he remained three years. The boy was quick and observing and was not long in familiarizing himself with every phase of the work in the shop. At the end of his three years apprenticeship he went to Detroit and readily secured a position in his trade. In 1863 he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Furlong, a native of Detroit. Soon afterward he decided to go into business for himself and moved to Memphis and entered into partnership with Frank Spencer in wagonmaking and blacksmithing business. They fitted up and equipped a shop with all necessary appliances and did a thriving business for three years, when they dissolved partnership. Mr. Cogley then moved to Kenockee township, purchased eighty acres of land and took up life on a farm. But the life was too slow for a man with the nervous energy, enterprise and knowledge of mechanics possessed by Mr. Cogley and he yearned for the activities of a business life. In 1872 he moved his family to Emmett and invested in a foundry, blacksmith and carriage shop. Here he displayed business ability of a high order and showed such a comprehensive knowledge of the details of the concern that he surprised his friends. The business grew and with it the establishment. Man after man was added to his force, and still the work came in. After conducting his business for a period of twenty years, he, in 1892, opened up a hardware and implement store in connection with it, which from the very beginning prospered. In 1890 he took his son, James P. Cogley, into partnership with him, and since then he has delegated much of the management to him, though he has never relinquished his grasp of the conduct of affairs. Each and every department is as familiar to him now as it ever was. It is an American institution, conducted on American principles, by Americans and course it receives the American measure of success.
To Mr. and Mrs. James Cogley eight children have been born, seven of whom are living: Charles, the first son and third child of the family, is dead; the others are Minnie Emily, Charles, James P., George Francis, Mark, Charles A. and Nellie. The parents have been very particular in seeing that each was equipped with a good education. Charles A., the youngest boy, is a graduated of a commercial college; Nellie attended St. Joseph Academy, at Adrian, Michigan, and George attended Berlin College; Emily is married and living in Calumet. She and all of her sisters are very proficient in music, she having been an organist in a church for a long time. On March 5, 1902, Mrs. Cogley departed this life, it being the first real affliction that the family had ever known. But the good mother passed away with the light of love and contentment transfiguring her care-worn countenance, knowing that those she loved were well provided for, and that their happiness was assured.
In politics Mr. Cogley was Democrat and at the present time presides over the sessions of the village board. As a slight indication of his standing among the voters of his township, it may be mentioned that for eighteen years he was justice of the peace, four years township treasurer and nine years a member of the school board. He is the owner of fifty acres of valuable land adjoining the town of Emmett on the south. The cement sidewalk was first introduced by him in Emmett, has since become quite popular and has added much the appearance of the streets of the place. He is a man who would be looked up to as a leader in almost any community, one of those men who rise equal to every occasion. The more trying and momentous the crisis, the greater the strength and energy to encounter it. Not all communities are blessed with such a personality, but those that are have reason to be grateful.[ref]Transcribed from pages 675-677. [/ref]