Rev. John W. Cooley

1852 - Yes, date unknown

• Name	John W. Cooley
  Prefix	Rev.
  Born	7 Nov 1852	, Peel Co., Ontario, Canada
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	1878	Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Minister Elmira Methodist church
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-167197
  Died	Yes, date unknown
  Person ID	I167197	Generations
  Last Modified	19 Aug 2024

  
  

• Notes

  Cooley, Rev. John W., Minister of Zion Tabernacle, Methodist Church, Hamilton, was born in Toronto township, county of Peel, Ontario, on the 7th November, 1852. His parents were Thomas and Ann Cooley. The former was born on one of the Channel islands, where his father, a British soldier, was stationed about the date of the battle of Waterloo. He was brought up near Belfast. His mother was a native of Fermanagh, Ireland, and the family emigrated to Canada early in life. Mr. Cooley, senior, was for many years a missionary agent of the American Tract Society among the sailors on the Welland Canal, and was one of the most active agents in securing the closing of the canal against Sunday traffic. Rev. Mr. Cooley, the subject of our sketch, received his education chiefly in the public and high schools in Thorold, under the Rev. John McNeely, M. A. ; Brampton High School, under John Seath, B. A. , now High School inspector ; and in the Galt Collegiate Institute, under the principalship of the late William Tassie, LL.D. In 1869 he became a public school teacher in the Central School, Owen Sound. For five years he continued in the profession, in different places, meanwhile prosecuting his studies privately, and taking an examination for teacher's certificate each year. In the year 1873 he was appointed teacher of the Senior Boys' School, Guelph. During this year his religious conversion took place, and he became active in the work of the Methodist church and the Guelph Young Men's Christian Association, of which he was secretary. At the beginning of the year 1874, at the request of the chairman of the district, coupled with his own convictions, he accepted an appointment as junior preacher on the Elora circuit of the Methodist church. His subsequent appointments were, 1874-75, Listowel; 1876, Hamilton, Hannah street Church ; and in 1877, Stratford. In 1878 he was ordained and stationed at Elmira, county Waterloo. Toward the end of his three years' term a throat affection compelled his temporary retirement from the work of the ministry. The greater part of the next two years (1881-82) was spent in newspaper work, as a member of the editorial staff of the Winnipeg Free Press. In October, 1882, on his complete restoration to health, he resumed his ministerial work, being appointed to Jerseyville circuit, near Brantford. Three years were spent thereon. In 1885 he was appointed to Dunnville, and in 1887 to the pastorate of Zion Tabernacle, Hamilton, where he now is. In August, 1878. he was married to Emily H. Keeling, of Guelph, daughter of the late George M. Keeling, the founder of the Guelph Mercury, who died in 1861. This lady was a highly gifted musician, organist for many years, and subsequently choir leader as well, of the Norfolk street Methodist Church, Guelph. She was a very popular vocalist and was widely esteemed for her amiability, good judgment and energy in social and church work. She died in April, 1885, leaving two children, one of whom alone is now living. Rev. Mr. Cooley is a very active and pronounced temperance advocate and prohibitionist, and takes a deep interest in all other social movements. Geo. MacLean Rose, A Cyclopaepdia of Canadian Biography being chiefly men of the time. Rose Publishing Co., Toronto 1888

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 7 Nov 1852 - , Peel Co., Ontario, Canada Occupation - Minister Elmira Methodist church - 1878 - Elmira, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth