Finley Cooley

Finley F. Cooley (1846 -1919) – Finley F. Cooley was born on August 19, 1846 in Georgetown, PA, the son of John M. and Mary (Hutchinson) Cooley.[1] He was a Civil war veteran. Finley’s occupation was a farmer at the time of his enlistment. He enlisted as a Private in Company C, 104^th Infantry Regiment, Ohio, on August 25, 1863, and transferred to Company I, 183^rd Infantry Regiment, Ohio, on June 15, 1865. He mustered out on July 17, 1865, in Salisbury, NC.[2] While with the 104^th Regiment, Finley’s Company participated in battles at Knoxville, TN; Resaca, GA; Cartersville, GA; Dallas, GA; and Pine Mountain, GA. On June 14, 1864, at Pine Mountain, Finley was sent to the rear because he was ill with bronchitis and pneumonia. Finley was later transferred to a hospital in Cleveland, OH, because of the severity of his illness. He returned to duty on August 30, 1864. After returning to the 104^th, he was involved in fighting at Columbia, TN; Franklin, TN; Fort Anderson, NC and Town Creek, NC.[3]

Finley married Mary Clementine Doak, the daughter of Isaac and Rachel (Beal) Doak on May 20, 1869. Finley and Mary had ten children.[4] They lived in Georgetown, Beaver County, PA. Mary died on January 21, 1890. By 1891, Finley is a potter living in East Liverpool, Ohio.[5] Before his second marriage, the children were split up and sent to live with whoever would take them in. Orin Cooley was adopted by Isaac Oliver Doak, Mary (Doak) Cooley’s brother, and his surname changed to Doak. Velva and Fred Cooley went to live with a family who owned a store.[6] They had to work at the store for their room and board. Finley married Linnie Allison on May 11, 1893 in Monaca, PA, and had two more children.[7] Finley Cooley died on September 30, 1919 in East Liverpool.[8] Linnie Cooley died on August 3, 1940.

[1] Death Certificate, Finley Cooley

[2] Military and Pension records for Finley Cooley, National Archives

[3] Military and Pension records for Finley Cooley, National Archives

[4] Military and Pension records for Finley Cooley, National Archives

[5] City Directory East Liverpool, Ohio, 1891 & 1892

[6] Letter of personal remembrances written by Nellie (Flesher) Goode, daughter of Velva Cooley Flesher

[7] Military and Pension records for Finley Cooley, National Archives

[8] Death Certificate, Finley Cooley

Finley Cooley, aged 74, of Erie street, died at his home at 10:15 Tuesday night. Mr. Cooley had been in poor health for the past two years. He was a veteran of the Civil war, being a member of Company O, 104th regiment, and Company I, 183d Ohio volunteer infantry. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Avenue M. E. church. Besides his wife he is survived by two sons, Prof. M. F. Cooley of Ashtabula and Floyd at home, and four children of a former marriage, Mrs. George Hunt of East End, Mrs. William Flesher of New Brighton, Miss Lulu Cooley of Louisville, Ky., and Fred Cooley of New Brighton. One brother and sister also survive.

Marriage* 20 May 1869 Mary Clementine Doak (b. 25 May 1852, d. 21 Jan 1890); Beaver County, PA; Married by Rev. George A. Sheets.

Son: __ ___ 1871 Charles Gledhill Cooley (b. 1871, d. before 1898); Beaver County, PA.

Daughter: 16 Dec 1875 Effie Adela Cooley (b. 16 Dec 1875, ); Beaver County, PA.; married George H. Hunt

Son: 06 Nov 1884 Orin Cooley (b. 06 Nov 1884, ); Beaver County, PA. (Note: Orrin was adopted by Isaac Oliver Doak, his mother's brother, following the death of his mother. His last name was changed to Doak. The Doak's lived in East Liverpool, Ohio)

Marriage* 11 May 1893 Linnie Allison (b. 11 Feb 1863, d. 03 Aug 1940); Monaca, Beaver County, PA; Married by Rev. A. H. Davis.

Son: 30 Aug 1894 Merrill Finley Cooley (b. 30 Aug 1894, d. May 1968); East Liverpool, Columbiana, OH.