The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-19
THOMAS M'INTYRE COOLEY.
Interesting Personal Sketch of the New Re-
ceiver of the Wabash.

chicago HeTalu
The full name of the man whom Judge
Gresham has appointed to the Wabash receiver
ship is Thomas Mcintyre Cooley. and he is
Of the most unique of the great legal characters
of America He was born on York State
farm, and, until less than thirty years ago.
lived in the hum blest surroundings His intro
duction to the legal profession achieved
only after years of disappointment and
difficulty. In early manhood he came
to little town called Adrian, Mich, where
he alternately read law and worked on a
farm, as caprice or circumstance determined.
None of his neighbors esteemed him very highly
or so much as dreamed that he would ever
emerge from the mediocrity of a country lawyer
On one occasion he gave up the law altogether
and went into business for year in Toledo. He
had almost passion for farming, and bought
100 acres near Adrian, which for long time
claimed more of his attention than his profession
He fell in love with beautiful girl, tall and
Queenlv creature, the daughter OF a comfortable
farmer But when "Tom" made his timid
proposal to the old gentleman, the latter
darkly swore that no child of his should
marry man who couldn't earn his own
living. The young lady herself had another and,
as it proved, wiser view. She consented to run
away and married Tom in the face of her
fathers refusal. The match has proved most
happy one A large brood of little Cooleys have
grown up at the beautiful Preside in Ann Arbor,
where the Judge has lived for nearly thirty
years. the eldest son, Eugene, is the president
fathers example, in making runaway marriage.
but in no other respect. The second son, Ed, is
a very successful young lawyer at Bay City, and
partner of Judge Marston. his fathers former
associate on the Supreme Bench of Michigan.
The eldest daughter, Miss Fanny. is Miss Fanny
no longer having married. after her return from
Holyoke Academy, the son of President Angel,
of the Michigan University.
Judge Cooley first attracted notice after he was
appointed Reporter of the Supreme Bench OF
Michigan which he adorned for so many years.
He published a digest of Michigan decisions
which surprised lawyers by that beautiful lucid
ity of style which characteriZes all of Judge
Cooleys law writings. Soon after ESQ uncertain
is popular favorl he was elected to the Supreme
Court of the State, and there remained until the
last judicial election, when he was set aside for
"one-armed soldier"
During the greater part of this time Judge
Cooley held the Jay professorship in the law
school at Ann Arbor and dean of the law faculty
1t is conceded that he contributed more than any
other to the success of that institution attract
ing students from every State and Territority
He was one of the three great lawyers who, sit
! ting together the Michigan bench for many
years. elevated the decisions of that body
| to the same level with those of New
York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania
| The other two were Judge Chrstancy
| and Judge Campbell. The former after being
appointed minister 70 Perr, resigned the bencn,