Biography - Zelotes Cooley
Hon. ZELOTES COOLEY sought his fortune in the West at a very early period,
when Knox County contained here and there only a few hamlets and the virgin soil
was almost unbroken. He was a large factor in its development and growth from
the day he set foot on her soil to the moment of his death. In his manner of
living, he was plain and simple and was never guilty of ostentatious display. In
honesty and moral rectitude, the true dignity of his character was shown. His
suave disposition and his inborn gentility fitted him especially to deal with
men, and to these qualities his great success in business and in life is
principally due. He had keen perceptions and a sound judgment, and could unravel
the machinations and evil designs of men as by intuition. The frivolous was no
part of his nature, and consequently, he took life as a serious business. He was
always known for his strict honesty and his fair dealings with his fellowmen.
His unyielding firmness in justice and right begat confidence, and as a result,
place and honor were bestowed upon him. He honored every office that he was
called to fill, because he regarded himself as a true servant of the people.
Judge Cooley came from a long line of Puritan ancestors. He was born November
10, 1808, in East Windsor CT. He removed to Glastonbury with his parents in
1816. At sixteen he went to Hartford to learn the carpenter's trade and
afterwards to Westfield MA, and later to Poughkeepsie NY, where he engaged in
the grocery business until 1837. He next went to Philadelphia, then down the
Ohio River, up the Mississippi, through Illinois to LaGrange. He then went to
Quincy, then to Macomb and Carthage. At Carthage, he was employed to build the
Court House. In 1838, he came to Knox County. With a partner, Mr. Alvah Wheeler,
he built the Court House at Knoxville, drawing the plans himself. He was engaged
as a contractor and builder until 1846, when he was appointed County Assessor.
He was elected County Clerk in 1847 and held the office for ten years, when he
commenced the practice of law.
In politics, Judge Cooley was a democrat. In religion, he was not connected with
any order, but believed in the Golden Rule and in loving and serving his
fellowman. He was charitable, always bestowing his means judiciously whenever a
worthy object was presented. His several bequests to St. Mary's at Knoxville,
and to the hospital, Knox College, and the Universalist Church at Galesburg
sufficiently attest the character of his benevolence and charities.
He married Miss Julia A. Hanks, of Connecticut in 1833. Of this union, two
daughters are still living - Mrs. David W. Bradshaw and Mrs. Samuel L. Charles.
Extracted from the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County,
Munsell Publishing Company.
