St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-07
Yes, twill soon be over,
This sickly dream of life.
DEWITT CLINTON COOLEY.


Yes twill soon be over,
This sickly dream of life.
DEWITT CLINTON COOLEY.
Judge Cooley, by which name he is more
generally known, is one of the familiar per-
sonages Of the past in the city of st. Paul, a
sort of index board marking the years long
since gone; and although the younger por-
ton of the community may not know him,
the old settlers can soon pick him out of
the iostling crowds that swarm our side
walks Born in the state of New York in
1924, he received a thorough education, and
after the study of law for five years, at the
age of twenty-one lie passed q searching ex-
animation by the late Charles o. Connor, OF
New York city, and was admitted to the bar
of the supreme court of that state. He sub
sequcntly removed south, and in 1851 came
10 st. Paul for the benefit of his health.
OFFICES HELD.
Soon after his arrival here he was made
town attorney there was then no city,, and
became city attorney when the town assumed
that dignity. He was also elected attorney
for Ramsey county, and held both offices sim
ultaneously. He was sole commissioner
to draft and revise the first ordinances
adopted by the new city; was also the
FIRST PENSION AGENT
In Minnesota.
After practicng law in this city up to 1864,
he removed to Wilkesbarre, Penn, but at
the expiration of ten years returned to st.
Paul, where he has remained almost unin-
terruptedly ever since.
AS WRITER.
Judge Cooley possesses peculiar talents as
writer, his principal forte being fun and sar-
casm, and yet he prepared q most
useful index digest of the tax laws
Of Minnesota, which not only received the
sanction of the state, but elected high COM
mendation from the bench and the bar. He
is well known as the originator and promoter
of the Third house of representatives of the
state; that is, many citizens came together
voluntarily and went through the formality
Of organizing the Third house, and then list
ening to the reading of the governors mes.
sage, which was usually written by Cooley,
many times ridiculing men and measures
and parties, but more generally take off on
the genuine legislature then in session at the
capitol. In these papers Judge Cooley
showed point, fun, sarcasm, sense and non.
sense. He also later delivered lecture on
"Old Settlers,' in which he endeavored
to bring out their weak points, and
yet in a manner not to offend. He has also
written some dramatic composition, as vel
as verse: and quite recently has compiled
public are not yet advised. He dealt but
little in real estate, but at one time owned 8
fine piece of property on the old st. Anthony
road, but after the death of his wife, sold it.
His domestic Affections have been very sad
AS HE Is.
Judge Cooley is a short, thick-set man
with strong features and hair silvered with
gray, with well poised head and firm step
His nature runs to fun as naturally as the
duck seeks the water, and in conversation he
usually brings out the amusing part of life
He is always good natured, and when inter
ested in conversation, picks his
left hand with his right, and thi,
motion is intensified as the conversation
grows more earnest. He is quite unassum-
ing; is not in love with the law sufficient,
Il
his time to literary pursuits, and when he
gets into the proper groove-if he ever doe:
the public will stop and examine hi
merits.
wM. TAYLOR DONALDSON.
Mr.. Donaldson was born of English par
ents, in Ohio in 1925; lived on his father
farm until eighteen years old, when he wen
to Cincinnati to become acquainted with the
practical working of business; came to st
Paul in 1851 and formed partnership with
J. d. Pollock, and this firm has existed
from that day to this, or
THRTY-THREE YEARS,
being the oldest firm in the city, although
VIM. Constance individually has been tn,
longest continuously in business here.
AN OLD FIREMAN.
Mr.. Donaldson early identified himself wit
the fire departmental this city; indeed
he was among the very first, and remained wit
1t as an active member until it passed out o
the hands of the volunteer members int
the control of the city While performin:
his duties as a fireman he was injured, ant
was disabled for some time. Although Mr.
Donaldson did not enter the army, he con
tri5uted toward the support of the govern
ment during the wsr, and by strict attention
to business has secured 4 comfortable prop
erty. Married a Miss Thorne in 1873; ha
two children.
REAL ESTATE.
In 1851, in connection with Mr. Pollock
his partner, Mr.. Donaldson purchased fou
lots on the corner of Broadway and Fiftl
streets, for 800. He sold some of them TO
S1,700 and the balance for 1000. HI
bought thirty acres on the shores of LAX
Phelan for S125, worth now $1,000; secures
two five-acre lots in Hoyt's addition for 800
sold for So, 200; worth now 1000.
HIS PERSONALITY.
Mr.. Donaldson is "a tall, slender gentle
man, unpretentious, cool, cautious, method
ical, and honest. He and his partner hav
worked tremendously in the same harnes
together for thirty three years, and durin
that period have passed through som
very depressing times, and yet the
have withstood the financial storm
and have the honor-and it is a
enviable one-of being the oldest firm i
the city. Mr.. Donaldson was about twenty