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


IT'S the fate Of all.
Yes, twill soon be over,
This siclly dream Of life.
DEWITT CLINTON COOLEY.
Judge Cooley, by which name he is more
generally known, is one of the familiar per-
sonagcs of the past in the city of st. Paul,
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 jostiing crowds that swarm our side
walks. Born in the state of New York in
1924, he received thorough education, and
after the study of law for five years, at the
age Of twenty-one he passed a searching ex-
animation by the late Charles o. Conner, of
New York city, and was admitted to the bar
of the supreme court Of that state. lie sub
sequcntly removed south, and in 1851 came
to 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
Gitaneously. He was sole commissioner
70 draft and revise the first ordinances
adopted by the new city; was also the
FIRST PENSION AGENT
IN Minnesota.
After practicing law in this city up to 1864,
he removed to Wilkesbarre, Penn, but at
the expiration of ten years returned to st.
u, L.. 1.
tcrruptcdly ever since.
as WRITER.
Judge Cooley possesses peculiar talents as
writer, his principal forte being fun and sar-
easm, and yet he prepared 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 formaity
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
sold 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 well
as verse: and quite recently has compiled
book, but upon what particular subject the
public are not yet advised. He dealt but
little in real estate, but at one time owned a
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 slvered with
gray, with well poised head and a 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
estcd in conversation, picks his
left hand with his right, and this
motion is intensified as the conversation
grows more earnest. He is quite unassum-
ing; is not in love with the law sufficiently
to practice great deal, but devotes most OF
his time to literary pursuits, and when he
gets into the proper groove-if he ever does
the public will stop and examine his
merits.
wM. TAYLOR DONALDSON.
Mr.. Donaldson was born of English par
ents, in Ohio in 1925; lived on his fathers
farm until eighteen years old, when he went
to Cincinnati to become acquainted with the
practical working of business; came to St.
Paul in 1851 and formed a partnership with
j. d. Pollock, and this firm has existed
from that day to this. or
TmRTY-THREE YEARS,
being the Oldest firm in the city, although
VIM. Constance individually has been the
longest continuously in business here
AN OLD FIREMAN.
Mr. Donaldson early identified himself will
the fire department of this city; indeed
he was among the very first, and remained witt
1t ms an active member until it passed out o.
the hands of the volunteer members int
the control of the city. While performing
his duties as q fireman he was injured, and
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 war, and by strict attention
to business has secured comfortable prop
erty. Married Miss Thorne in 1873; has
two children.
REAL ESTATE.
In 1851, in connection with Mr. Pollock,
his partner, Mr.. Donaldson purchased -four
lots on the corner of Broadway and Fifth
streets, for 500. He sold some of them fol-
Sl,700 and the balance for $50, 900. he
bought thirty acres on the shores of Lake
Phelan for 1925, worth now $4,000; secured
two fve-acre lots in Hoyt's addition for 500;
sold for $4,000; worth now s12, 600.
HIS PERSONALITY.
Mr. Donaldson is a tall, slender gentle
man, unpretentious, cool, cautious, method
zeal, and honest. He and his partner have
worked harmoniously in the same harnes:
together for thirty-three years, and during
that period have passed through som,
very depressing times, and yet the,
have withstood the financial storm,
and have the honor-and it is al
enviable one-of being the Oldest firm il
the city. Mr.. Donaldson was about twenty