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Lansing, Michigan, Saturday, April 16, 1938 THE STATE JOURNAL
Pioneer Dies
EUGENE COOLEY TAKEN BY DEATH
Founder of Lansing's First Gas Works Dies Saturday At Age of 88
Eugene F. Cooley, 88, pioneer Lansing business man and banker and founder of the city's first gas works, died early Saturday morning at his home, 225 West Main street, where he had lived for nearly 60 years.
Mr. Cooley, who came to Lansing in 1872, took an active part in the city's early industrial history. He helped to finance the first Oldsmobile and was one of the founders of the old City National bank.
Born in Adrian in 1849, he moved to Ann Arbor with his father, Thomas McIntyre Cooley, when the latter was made dean of the law department of the University of Michigan in 1859. He was graduated from the university with the class of 1870, and played on the University's first baseball team.
His vacation in 1869 and the summer after his graduation was spent with the United States lakes survey on Lake Superior, as assistant astronomer. In the fall of 1870 he went to Port Huron with James Clements of Ann Arbor to build a gas works there. In 1871 he married Kate Taylor of Ann Arbor and they lived in Port Huron until June, 1872, when he came to Lansing and built the gas works here. He was superintendent of the works for many years, until it was sold to the Dawes Brothers of Chicago. He started a business of his own in connection with the gas works, carrying a stock of gas fixtures and pipe, and had a plumber and his helper who made all gas installations. He also did a plumbing and heating business, carrying all those supplies. Later Mr. Cooley bought the mill supply department of the Lansing Iron and Engine Works, moving into the building on Cedar street until the completion of a building which his father built for him at the corner of Ottawa street and Grand avenue. By this time the business was known as the Michigan Supply company.
When electricity came into use for lighting, Piatt Brothers of Lansing purchased a dynamo and established an electric light plant in a small building back of the Hotel Downey and began to light a few of the streets of the city with arc lights. These were also installed in the senate and house of representatives at the capitol. Seeing that electricity was sure to come into general use the gas company bought the Piatt plant and moved it into a building on Grand avenue, and soon put in a new and modern plant which they installed in a new building at the corner of Grand avenue and Ionia street. Mr. Cooley continued to manage both plants until the city of Lansing purchased the electric company.
Thomas M. Cooley, Arthur Bement, O. M. Barnes, Fred Thoman, M. L. Coleman, and Eugene Cooley formed the Lansing Wagon Works, of which the latter was manager. This company had a long and successful career until automobiles and trucks came to end the "horse and buggy age." For many years the company was the second largest manufacturing establishment in Lansing and its products went all over the country.
Eugene Cooley was one of the founders of the City National bank and for many years served as its vice president.
He purchased a $10,000 interest in the P. F. Olds and Sons in order to help finance the first Oldsmobile. He was one of the organizers of the first Oldsmobile company--manufacturers of the curved dash model.
Mr. Cooley was always among those who subscribed in order to bring new concerns to Lansing, and was one of the organizers of the Lansing Sugar company and the Michigan Butter and Egg company.
He leaves seven children, Mrs. Arthur Baker, Edgar L. Cooley, and Mrs. Carl McAlvay of Lansing; Mrs. George M. Chandler of San Francisco, Cal.; Mrs. Frank B. McKibbin of Indianapolis, Ind.; Frank E. Cooley of Fort Worth, Texas; Mrs. Adaline C. Kessler of Coronado, Cal.; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. G. W. King, and a brother, Dr. Thomas B. Cooley, both of Detroit.
Funeral services for Mr. Cooley will be held at the Estes-Leadley funeral home Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock with Dr. Edwin W. Bishop of the Plymouth Congregational church officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Hope cemetery.
Honoring the memory of Mr. Cooley, the office and warehouse of the Michigan Supply company will be closed Monday afternoon.
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