Born in Lisbon, Grafton County, N. H., November 7, 1825. When fifteen years of age Judge 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. In Dubuque he practiced as a member of the firm of Samuels & Cooley; Cooley, Samuels & Allison; Cooley, Blatchley & Adams and Cooley & Eighmey. In 1864 President Lincoln Commissioner to South Carolina and at the same time acted as special Commissioner to settle titles and the right to possession of the city of Charleston appointed him. In July 1865, he was appointed by President Johnson Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and in September 1866, resigned, and later practiced law in Washington for eight years. For twenty-one years he was President of the First National Bank of Dubuque, and in 1873 was elected on the Republican ticket in a Democratic district as State Senator. The same year he was appointed Commissioner to the Vienna Exposition. He was President of the Board of Cornell College for many years, and was also President of the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Association. In September 1850, he married Miss Clara Aldrich, a lady of high attainments. They had four children.

Born in Lisbon, Grafton County, N. H., November 7, 1825. When fifteen years of age Judge 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. In Dubuque he practiced as a member of the firm of Samuels & Cooley; Cooley, Samuels & Allison; Cooley, Blatchley & Adams and Cooley & Eighmey. In 1864 President Lincoln Commissioner to South Carolina and at the same time acted as special Commissioner to settle titles and the right to possession of the city of Charleston appointed him. In July 1865, he was appointed by President Johnson Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and in September 1866, resigned, and later practiced law in Washington for eight years. For twenty-one years he was President of the First National Bank of Dubuque, and in 1873 was elected on the Republican ticket in a Democratic district as State Senator. The same year he was appointed Commissioner to the Vienna Exposition. He was President of the Board of Cornell College for many years, and was also President of the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Association. In September 1850, he married Miss Clara Aldrich, a lady of high attainments. They had four children.