Cool, John

COOL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 16:15:54

John Cool

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.344)
JOHN COOL, one of the pioneer settlers of Avoca, was born in Coburg, Province of Ontario, April 2, 1824, son of Benjamin Cool, who was born in 1795 on the Mohawk River and was of Holland Dutch descent. His ancestors were among the old pioneer settlers of New York state and were called the Mohawk Dutch. Benjamin Cool participated in the War of 1812 on the American side and fought at the battle of Sackett's Harbor. He was a tanner, currier, and shoemaker by trade, and after emigrating to Canada was engaged at his trade in Coburg. He was married there to Phoenix, daughter of Adolphus HILLENBOLDT, who was from the same locality on the Mohawk. Mr. Hillenboldt was a farmer by occupation and cleared his place from the heavy timber. Mr and Mrs Cool were the parents of nine children: Lucinda, John, Richard, William, Ellizabeth, Albert, Charles, Seymour and one who died in infancy. The parents lived in Coburg about ten years, and then in 1833 or 1834, moved to New York state, settling near Buffalo on the canal at Shelby Basin, where he followed the business of shoemaking for some years. In 1844 he removed to Illinois and settled on a farm in Kane County, Hampshire Township. In 1868 he came to Avoca, Iowa, where he died in 1878 at the age of 83 years. Mrs. Cool is still living, at the age of 90 years, with her son Albert in Nebraska. Mr. Cool was an industrious, honorable and upright man.

John Cool, a son of the above and subject of this sketch, received a common-school education, and learned blacksmithing in early life. He was nine years of age when his father returned to New York state and at the age of 21, in 1845, he went to Elgin, Illinois, where he was engaged at his trade a short time. In 1846 he opened a shop in Hampshire Township, Kane County, which he conducted until the breaking out of the War. He enlisted in Company J, 8th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, being mustered in at St. Charles, Illinois, September 18, 1861. He was immediately promoted to be 2nd Lieutenant, was in the Army of the Potomac, and was in the battle of Mechanicsville, Virginia, the seven days' fight before Richmond, White Oak Swamp, Harrison's Landing, and at the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, and in several skirmishes. He was badly ruptured at Harrison's Landing by the fall of his horse. After the battle of Antietam, he returned home and resided at Hampshire, where he was Collector of the township, and Constable for 12 years, his time expiring while he was in the Army. In 1869 he came by wagon to Avoca, Iowa, in company with his brother-in-law, Isaac VANDEBORGART, and his family, and Thomas E. FOWLER and family. Mr. Cool is the pioneer blacksmith of this city, having built the first stop and struck the first blow as a blacksmith. He also started the first livery business, using a straw shed for his stable. He also began carrying the mail and express the same winter to Harlan.

Mr. Cool was a charter member of the first Masonic Lodge, Mount Nebo, the rooms of which was over his blacksmith shop, which was built for that purposes, being one of the first buildings of Avoca. He has held all the offices of this lodge. He has served as Deputy Sheriff three times, and is a member of the U.S. Post, of which he has held offices of Deputy Grand Master and Quarantine Master. Mr. Cool has erected seven dwelling houses, two shops, and a livery stable, the latter being destroyed by fire in 1880. He was married in 1847 to Sarah Carleton, daughter of James and Julia CARLETON, and by this marriage, there was one child, Mary, now the wife of Malcolm Howe, of Hampshire, Illinois. The mother died in 1865, and in 1867, Mr. Cool married Margaret FOWLER, daughter of Dr. Thomas E. and Marilla Fowler, and by this marriage there were two sons, Benton and Daniel.

Dr. Thomas Fowler was one of the pioneers of Hampshire, Illinois, settling there in 1846, where he was engaged in the practice of medicine many years. In 1869 he came to Avoca, where he became a well-known physician. He was one of the charter members of the Mount Nebo Lodge, No. 297. He died and was buried with Masonic honors. His wife died in 1889.