http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm 25 January 2020 COOGAN story appearing in "History of Milwaukee, Wisconsin," (The Western Historical Company, Chicago; A.T. Andreas Proprietor), [PAGE 1294] (1881): M. [Michael] COOGAN "M. COOGAN, superintendent of the steam-fitting and steam-heating department, and also a partner in that department of their business, was born June 9, 1838, in Dublin, Ireland. His parents emigrated to America in 1846 and settled in New York City, where he remained till 1863; learned his trade in New York and worked there from 1856 till he came to Milwaukee in 1863. Since that time he has been in the same establishment; was first foreman of M.M. Leahy till 1870, when he engaged with Hoffman, Billings & Co. and has been with them since that time." ********************** ADDITIONAL INFO: Hoffman, Billings & Company., manufacturers of brass and iron goods. The firm was established in 1871, Mr. Hoffman came to Milwaukee in 1865, and commenced business in this line with John Schreiber, under the name of J.C. Hoffmann & Co. The partnership was continued up to 1863, when they dissolved and Mr. Hoffmann continued alone until 1869, when he formed a partnership with S.S. Billings. In addition to the factory they carried on a store on Wisconsin street, which continued until 1872, when Mr. Billings died, and Mr. Hoffmann conducted the business alone, until he took in as partner C.F. Billings, a brother of his former partner. The company employees 100 men or more, and the business amounts to between $200,000 and #400,000 annually, mostly goods of their own manufacture. The foundry and machine shops are on Cedar street, between Sixth and Seventh, and the store is situated at Nos. 141, 143, 145, and 147 West Water Street. J.C. HOFFMANN, was born in 1829, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany. IN 1849, he came to America and lived in Springfield and Cincinnati until he came to Milwaukee. C.F. BILLINGS was born August 27, 1832, in Batavia, Genesee County, N.Y. He came to Wisconsin to reside in April, 1862, first commending in the transportation business, when he continued up to October, 1871. January 1, 1873, he formed a partnership with Mr. Hoffmann. _______________________________________________________________________ Source: http://www.linkstothepast.com