John Cooney, a well-known pioneer of Greene County, is president of the Coon Rapids Bank. He settled in Kendrick Township, Greene County, in 1856, and removed to Carroll County in 1880. In the fall of 1856 he was appointed deputy county surveyor under A. J. Currance, and at the election held in the autumn of that year he was elected surveyor, a position he held twelve years. When Mr. Cooney went to Jefferson there were but three buildings there. Mr. B. F. Robinson is the only man now living in Jefferson who was there when Mr. Cooney was there. The latter was a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Greene County for many years. In 1880 he removed to Glidden, and engaged in banking under the firm name of Lyon and Cooney. In 1882 he established his present bank, of which he is president, and his son, M. M. Cooney, is cashier. Besides the ordinary banking business, they invest in first mortgage securities, and make farm loans and collections. The bank building is a fine brick structure, erected in 1884. Mr. Cooney was born in Harden County, Ohio, in 1830, where he lived until 1855. His father, Asa Cooney, was born in Virginia, and settled in Ohio at an early day, where he lived until his decease. The parents had four sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. The brothers of Mr. Cooney, James, Squire and William H. H., are residents of Hardin County, and are among the wealthiest and most influential citizens of that county. Mr. Cooney was married in Ohio to Miss Phebe E. Matthews, a daughter of Jonathan Matthews. Their children are—Merrill M., in the bank with his father; Lillian A. and Lovina G. Three children died in infancy. Politically Mr. Cooney was formerly a Whig, voting for General Scott for President in 1852. Later he became an Abolitionist. In 1860 he went to Pike’s Peak, where he remained several years, being absent a greater portion of the time during the war of the Rebellion, but he was heartily in sympathy with the Union. He is now a Republican.

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