Elisha Cooley.

ELISHA COOLEY, dealer in sewing machine, pianos, organs and musical merchandise, Cottonwood Falls, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., April 15, 1838. He received an academic education, but before entering upon a contemplated college course entered the volunteer service fore the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in October, 1861, as a private in Company H, Ninth Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry; was assigned to the army under Gen. Burnside, and participated in the expedition into North Carolina, which resulted in the capture of Roanoke Island, Newberne and Fort Macon, N. C. in all of which battles Mr. Cooley took an active part. He was also in the battles of Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro.

He then remained on garrison duty, with occasional expeditions into the enemy's country, until the spring of 1864. He then joined the army of the James, and took part in the battles of Bermuda Hundred, Drury's Bluff, Arrowfield Church, Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg. His regiment then returned to Newberne, N. C., to recruit, and was not engaged in any heavy fighting until the army of Gen. Schofield entered North Carolina, March, 1865; the regiment was then ordered to Raleigh, and had some hot engagements on the old battlegrounds at Kingston and Goldsboro. The regiment traveled by land and water, over 7,600 miles, during its term of service.

Mr. Cooley was mustered out of service July 12, 1865. He then returned home, and in the following winter attended a course of four months at Bryant and Stratton's Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In the spring of 1866 he removed to Bushnell, Ill. and started in business, but was soon after elected Constable and City Marshal. After holding these offices a few months he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of McDonough County. The duties of these three offices occupied his time until he came to Kansas in July, 1871.

He located in Cottonwood Falls, where he has since resided with the exception of two years of this time, when he was engaged in farming. He has the only store in his line in the city, carries a stock of sewing machines and machine supplies, pianos, organs and musical merchandise. He has also in the same store a millinery department containing a good stock, which is operated by Mrs. Cooley. Mr. Cooley is a member of J. W. Geary Post, No. 15, G. A. R. He married Miss Cynthia A. Drake, of Bushnell, Ill., December 24, 1868.