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Edgar Arthur & Adeline (Seymour) Cooley Family
Prominent family of Bay City during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

By Marvin Kusmierz (January 2003)

"I would like to extend special acknowledgement and thanks to Sylvia (Seymour) Akin for the important materials she contributed to the history of the Cooley family."

I first came upon Edgar Cooley in researching the history of the Industrial Works (former Industrial Brownhoist.) that was established on March 4, 1873. Edgar is mentioned among a select group of investors that purchased the MacDowell Foundry Company from which sprang up the Industrial Works. Other investors included George Kimball, James Clements, Ebenezer Wells, Esra Seaman and Phillip Bach. Edger's name appeared in many other history references as well. So, with the help of Sylvia Akins, a descendant of the Seymour family, I was able to gather enough data to present the Cooley family's history.

Adeline "Ada" Louisa (Seymour) (1854-1886) (Photograph by Harman Verner, 914 N. Water Street, Bay City, MI.)

Edgar A. Cooley (1852-??) (Photograph by Scholten Nos. 920 & 922 Olive Street, Cor. 10th Street, St. Louis, MO.)

Edgar Cooley:

Edgar was the son of Thomas McIntyre and Mary Elizabeth (Horton) Cooley of Adrian, Michigan.

Thomas Cooley (1824-1898)

His known siblings were: Eugene of Lansing, MI; Fanny Angell; Charles, a professor at the University of Michigan; Thomas, medical department at University of Michigan; and Mary Cooley.

Edgar's father was a Michigan Supreme Court Justice (1857-1885). As a member of the the Michigan bar, he published many papers of significance and in 1857 he compiled the general statues of Michigan.

Specifics about Edgar's early years are unknown at this time.

Adeline Louisa Seymour:

Addie was born in Ithaca, New York to Theron and Adaline (Cole) Seymour on September 17, 1854. Her father was a direct descendant of Richard and Mercy (Ruscoe) Seymour.. Richard has the distinction of being one the early settlers of Hartford, Connecticut. Her mother's ancestors Azor Cole and Capt. Josiah Locker were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Addie was the youngest of seven children. Preceding her in birth were Cornelia E., Feb 1, 1837, who married Edward C. Turner; Ellen Agusta, born Nov. 2, 1840, died Apr. 17, 1847; George Pratt, born Jun. 10, 1845, Flint, MI, died Sep. 26, 1941 in Ferguson, MO.; Clara Rowland, born Oct. 31, 1848, died Oct. 17, 1854, Ithac, NY; William Jay, born Oct. 26, 1850, died Jun. 1, 1854. Adeline was only 33 years old when she died on Feb. 1, 1888.

Their Marriage.

Edgar and Addie were married in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan on December 14, 1876. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Marcus Lane, pastor of the St. Paul church. Witnesses to the marriage were F. W. Judd and H. C. Spencer.

Adeline's mother married twice after Theron's death, the last being to E.C. McQuigg, and is when she moved from Ithaca, N.Y. to Flint.

Above (L-R): Unknown girl, elderly lady may be Egar's mother Mary (Horton) Cooley, Walter and Mary H. (Photograph by Harman Verner, 4th st. & Washington Ave., Bay City.) Left: Addie and children.

Research on Edgar turned up only one significant account of him in the book, "Historic Michigan, Vol. II," edited by George E. Butterfield. In addition to Edgar, his prominent father Thomas is also mention and so is his son, Walter. The following information is from pages 182 and 183 of this book:

Edgar was most likely born in Adrian, Michigan as the book mentions he moved to Ann Arbor as a younster with his parents.

He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1872 at the age of twenty.

He came to Bay City shortly thereafter, where he became a partner in the law firm of (Isaac) Marston, (Hershel H.) Hatch and Cooley. Issac Marston left the law firm to take a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court in 1875, and the firm's name reverted to "Hatch & Cooley." (See internet links in right-column).

Edgar's next law partnership of Cooley and Hewitt endured for 10 years.

Edgar was active in local politics, became President of the Bay County Bar Association and worked as an attorney for the Michigan Central railroad for many years.

Old city directories on micro-flim provided the following data:

1873-74: Edgar is boarding at Campbell House (Marston, Hatch & Cooley).

1875-76: Edgar is boarding at S.N. Henion (Hatch & Cooley).

1881-82: Edgar is residing at 508 VanBuren, between 7th & 8th streets (Smith Manor is now on this property.).

Walter J.Cooley, son:

Further information from this book regarding Edgar's son, Walter:

Walter was born on November 2, 1878. He attended local elementary schools, but went to high school in Ann Arbor. There is no explanation of why -- but, with his mother passing at the age of 33, he may have been sent to lived with his grandparents during this period.

He returned to Bay City where he found employment with the E.J. Vance Box Co.

Two years later he took a position with the J.W. McGrow Co., at the chicory millsand remained threre one year.

New he was hired by the Michigan Sugar Co., which gave up to become a fireman on the Michigan Central railroad.

His next job he held for 20 years with the Bradstreet Co..

Subsequently, he held positions with the Roller Foundry and the Cooley Casting Co., of which he was the head officer.

At the time of this book was written (about 1924), Walter was manager of the Loetz Foundry Co. and president of the Garber Machine Co..

Also, mentioned is his community service as an alderman and supervisor, member of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club.

Walter married in September, 1905 to Mary Fenton daughter of Henry and Isabella Fenton. The marriage was performed by Rev. Thomas S. Anderson, of Auburn. Witnesses to their marriage were Mrs. Isabella Fenton and Chester(?) Fenton. Walter is listed as a manager of a coal mine, of which there was one located near Auburn. Family records mention they had a son.

Mary Horton (Cooley) Eddy (Photo courtesy of Mary's grand-daugher, Charlotte Lamp.)

Mary Horton, Daughter:

Mary born in September, 1880, was the oldest daughter of Edgar and Addie. She married James G. Eddy, Sr. on April 28, 1904. James parents were James Franklin and Charlotte (Whittemore) Eddy. James, along with his brothers, ran the Eddy Investment Company in Bay City which they inherited from their father. The company was later moved to Seattle, WA and is where Mary and James spent most of the lives. They had three daughters and one son: Adeline Seymore, Charlotte Wittemore, Many Ann Cooley and James Garfield, Jr.

The date of Mary's photo is unknown. However, what is known is that it was taken to mark the occasion of her being named the "Belle of Bay City."

Anna L., Second Daughter:

Anna was born in September, 1883, and was married Ocotober 26, 1908, to Robert Ryan. The ceremoney was performed by Rev. Amos Watkins. Witnesses to the marriage were Anna's father, Edgard A. and Alice Brown. The groom, was born in 1879, in Penn Township, Cass, Michigan, and was the son John W. and Mary E. (Dougherty) Ryan.

Vaughn, Second Son:

Their last child, Vaughn, was born on Nov 10, 1883. No addition information was found on him. Anna and Vaughn apparently were twins considering their birth dates.

Edgar's Second Marriage:

After Adeline's death 1888, Edgar met and married Louisa Fitzhugh, daughter of Frank and Annie Fitzhugh, of Bay City. The marriage took place on October 13, 1890, at the Trinity Church, with the service being performed by pastor F. W. McLean. Witnesses for the wedding were Frank Fitzhugh of Bay City and W. A. Vaughan from Knoxville.

Edgar was close friends with Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Jr., a brother to Frank Fitzhugh, Edgar's father-in-law, The two regularly enjoyed fishing and hunting. (see Daniel's history page for more about this relationship).

This marriage was short lived as Louisa died a six months later, on March 28, 1891.

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