My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL COOLEY, farmer, post office Castle Shannon, was born July 16, 1807, on the old homestead in Baldwin township, where his father, Francis Cooley, settled in 1805. His grandfather, William Cooley, a native of England, settled in New York state before the revolutionary war, and took an active part in the struggles for liberty. He was aid-de-camp under Gen. Wayne; participated in many battles and minor engagements, and was a noted man in his day. His home was ransacked by the British at various times. He reared a family of three sons: William, Rev. Joseph and Francis. The last named was born in New York, where he learned to be a silversmith. He married Eleanor Vandivoit, who became the mother of eight children: Robert, John, William, Francis, Samuel, Harrison, Elizabeth and Mary. Francis Cooley was a prosperous farmer; took a lively interest in church-work, hauling the timber for the first church built in his neighborhood. In politics he was a democrat. For many years he conducted a still house. He died at the home of our subject, May 21, 1842. and there his widow also died, Feb. 19, 1853. Samuel is also a prosperous farmer, owning 130 acres. He married, in this county, Mrs. Nancy Kennedy, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Bell) Beltzhoover, old settlers. Her grandfather, John Bell, was the first civilized settler on Chartiers creek. Mrs. Cooley died Sept. 29, 1883, aged eighty-one years, the mother of two children, Mrs. Eleanor Crouch and Sam B. She was a member of the Seceders’ Church, of which her husband is also a member. He is a democrat, and was one of the grand jurors who voted for the erection of the new courthouse. His son, Samuel B., married Jane Hultz, daughter of Preston and Jane (Williams) Hultz, and they have five children: Etta M., Mary E., Francis, James J. and William B.