George Henry Cooley

b. 15 November 1885, d. 28 January 1958
  • George Henry Cooley was born on 15 November 1885 in Caledonia, Elk County, Pennsylvania.
  • Albert Lord and Elizabeth Ann Richey appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Lumber Township, Cameron County, Pennsylvania, and also children Albert E, Rebeck and Rosaner, and nearby with his family, likely son Robert A. Lord, not yet recorded.. Other members of the household included George Henry Cooley.
  • He was a civil engineer, according to the 1910 census.
  • The following appeared on 4 June 1912 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Invitations are being issued for the coming wedding of Miss Christie Eimer and Mr. George Henry Cooley, which will take place at 6:30 o'clock Tuesday, June 18th, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Eimer of 433? Fifth Street.
  • He married Christiana Franziska Eimer, daughter of Louis Eimer and Katrina Franziska Kammerer, on 18 June 1912 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at Zion Lutheran Church The marriage was witnessed by Albert Edward Cooley and Marie Katherine Kammerer.
  • The following appeared on 19 June 1912 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: A very pretty wedding was solemnized last evening at six thirty o'clock when Miss Christie Eimer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Eimer of Fourth street, was united in marriage to Mr. George Henry Cooley of this city. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Herman Brezing of the Zion Lutheran church at the home of the bride's parents. The house was artistically decorated with iris, marguerites, and peonies and the mantle before which the young couple were married was banked with palms and ferns. The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, looked charming in a white crepe de chene robe enriched with lace. She wore a bridal veil caught with lace and carried a shower bouquet of brides roses. The bridesmaid, Miss Marcia Kammerer of Toronto, wore a white embroidered gown over pink satin and a juliet cap and carried pink roses. The groom was attended by his brother, Mr. Albert Cooley and Mr. George Barnett, of Buffalo, played the wedding march. After the ceremony a reception was given, covers being laid for twelve at the bride's table, which was centered with her wedding cake. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley left last evening for an extended trip through Pennsylvania. The bride going away in a blue broad cloth suit and large black hat laden with roses. On their return Mr. and Mrs. Cooley will reside on Third street.
  • George Henry Cooley and Christiana Franziska Eimer appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 446 Twelfth Street living next to Christie's cousin John B. Kammerer.. Other members of the household included George Henry Cooley Jr. and Robert Louis Cooley.
  • He was a civil engineer with an architectural firm, according to the 1920 census.
  • The following appeared on 20 May 1926 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Albert E. Cooley, former member of the Gazette editorial staff and a brother of George H. Cooley, engineer of this city, is a candidate for mayor of Elizabeth, N. J., at the primaries to be held there June 15. The prospective candidate is well known in this city where he spent a large part of his younger years. He is still a stripling in years but is a powerful influence in business, because of the early training he acquired while in the news gathering profession. He is a president of the El Mora Association in his home city and also president of the Board of Adjustment in the official life of Elizabeth. He is seeking the mayoralty on the G. O. P. platform. He is 42 years old, having been born in Winterburn, Pa., June 2, 1884. He is identified with the engineering department of the Standard Oil company of New Jersey. He is a graduate of New York University where he took courses in industrial engineering. He is a veteran of the world war.
  • George Henry Cooley and Christiana Franziska Eimer appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, New York, at 446 Twelfth Street living at the same address as Christie's cousin John B. Kammerer.. Other members of the household included George Henry Cooley Jr. and Robert Louis Cooley.
  • He was secretary of the chamber of commerce, according to the 1930 census.
  • The following appeared on 26 August 1932 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. George H. Cooley and sons, George H., Jr. and Robert L. of Twelfth street, have left for Linden, N. J., where they will join Mr. Cooley's brother, Albert E. Cooley, and his family, for a two-weeks' fishing trip. Mr. Albert Cooley, now city engineer in Linden, was formerly a resident of this city and has many friends here.
  • George Henry Cooley died on 28 January 1958 at age 72 in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida.
  • Christiana Franziska Eimer became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
  • The following appeared on 29 January 1958 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: George H. Cooley, 72, prominent in civic and industrial affairs here for many years and a founder of the First Unitarian Church, died suddenly Tuesday (Jan. 28, 1958) in Daytona Beach, Fla.
         Mr. Cooley never fully recovered from a heart attack suffered here for than a year ago shortly after his retirement as industrial secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. He left for Florida in October with his wife for their first winter there and was well enough to get in some fishing. Death came suddenly at his residence there.
          Burial of the ashes will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D. C.
         A memorial service at First Unitarian Church will be held here later.
         Mrs. Cooley is the former Christie Eimer, daughter of a pioneer Niagara Falls family. Surviving also are two sons, George Cooley Jr., Buffalo, and Robert L. Cooley, Kenosha, Wis; a brother, Fred Cooley, Brookville, Pa. and six grandchildren. A nephew, William Cooley, resides in Lewiston.
         Mr. Cooley was born in Caledonia, Pa. He came to this city with his family some 55 years ago. His father, Moses E. Cooley, a former lumber mill operator, built the family home at 446 12th St. when the section was still wooded. The son continued residence in the home until he sold it less than a year ago.
         Mr. Cooley was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School and Ohio State University, where he received a degree in civil engineering. He also attended George Washington University Law School for a year.
         He was licensed in New York State as a professional engineer and land surveyor.
         He was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in World War I and served overseas. After the war he was named commanding officer of the 8th Division, 3rd Battalion of the Naval Militia stationed here.
         For several years he was construction engineer for the Niagara Falls Power Co. and had wide knowledge of the early engineering feats of the company and the structure of its tunnels. He later was maintenance engineer for Niagara Junction Railway and general manager and chief engineer for Brass Bros. Co., a construction firm. He was in construction business for himself for several years and built a number of buildings in Western New York.
         He was interested in Chamber of Commerce affairs and was named chairman of the illumination committee before he joined its staff. Within two years on the committee he made arrangements to have Navy-type searchlights illuminate the falls at a cost of $70.000.
         He was general chairman for the first Festival of Lights and served on the committee for the five years the festival ran.
         He joined the Chamber of Commerce in 1927.
         As industrial secretary he spearheaded much of its work in safety, health, training and development. He compiled its monthly business conditions report throughout his years as secretary. Its series of six pamphlets, "Facts, Facilities and Industries of Niagara Falls," were written and revised by Mr. Cooley.
         During the early days of the United Nations, he drew up a pamphlet urging permanent U.N. location on Navy Island.
         He served on many civic committees and commissions during his active years.
         He was one of the small group of men who organized the First Unitarian Church in 1920 and was co-building committee which erected the church in Main St. He served on its board of trustees for many years and in other official capacities and was a president of its Unitarian Laymen's League.
  • The following appeared on 30 January 1958 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: George H. Cooley watched the year-by-year bustling growth of industrial Niagara with a warm, lively interest. His early engineering-construction experience and his long service as industrial secretary of the Chamber of Commerce gage him a wide knowledge of the city.
         To his public side of his life he brought considerable wisdom and forbearance-- learned from a way of life in which his family, fishing and books were important.
         He openly enjoyed his achievements, yet was without unseemly pride. It was typical that he took pleasure in declaring he had helped organize First Unitarian as a church dedicated to hold together men of many beliefs in a religious tolerance in which even conservatism had a place.
         A raconteur of genial wit has been silenced by death. His many friends will keep on telling his stories. As they do they will remember with affection the gentleman who told them.
  • Last Edited: 17 Apr 2015

Family: Christiana Franziska Eimer b. 10 January 1888, d. 8 September 1982