Genealogical and Family History of the state of Connecticut Vol I - IV
VI) Dr. William (3) Cooley , son of Dr. Samuel Cooley , was born at Bolton , May 10, 1781 , died at East Hartford, Connecticut , Jannary 10, 1839 . He studied medicine under his father, and settled at what is now Manchester, Connecticut , where he was for many years a prominent physician and leading citizen. he married (first) Mary , daughter of Aaron Buckland , of Manchester, Connecticut ; (second) Diantha Spencer , also a native of Manchester ; (third) - Roberts ; (fourth) Jerusha Pitkin , born at East Hartford , a direct descendant of Governor Pitkin , of Connecticut . Children of first wife: William and Mary . Child of second wife: General Horace S. Cooley , who settled in the state of Illinois , was editor of the Quincy Herald, a leading journal of the times, and superintendent of the schools of the state; was secretary of state for six years; his address on the "History, Spirit and Tendency of Freemasonry", delivered before the Grand Lodge of Illinois , October, 1844 , when he was grand orator of the Grand Lodge, at a time when the anti-Masonic feeling was still violent, is one of the most eloquent and vigorous expositions of the virtues of the order ever published; he died in 1850 . Children of fourth wife: Jerusha Pitkin , born 1823 , died 1829 ; Elizabeth Lord , November 28, 1824 , died September, 1840 ; Charles Samuel , June 10, 1826 , married Elizabeth Meacham ; George Pitkin , November 28, 1828 , mentioned below; Jerusha , 1830 , died 1833 . In the death of Dr. William Cooley , the community in which he lived sustained a loss that is and will be long extensively felt. As a physician, he had extensive practice, was eminently successful and universally beloved by those to whom he administered. Possessed of an acute but eccentric mind, he obtained celebrity not only as a physician but as a politician that few enjoy. Elected on repeated occasions to represent Manchester , the place of his nativity and where until a few years past he resided, he was faithful to his trust. His wit, sarcasm and eccentric speeches in the legislature will be long remembered. In all political matters he took an absorbing interest, and was to the last moments of his life an ardent supporter of Democratic principle, an advocate of the present administration, an excellent companion and a sincere friend, with an inexhaustible fund of humor, great originality and genuine benevolence, he was always welcome to every circle. For many years he suffered with a painful disease that finally terminated his existence. His spirit never forsook him; he died with composure and resignation to the Divine Will .