http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm

08 March 2009

COOGAN story appearing in "History of the Illinois River Valley"
(J. L. Conger, 1932) [PAGES 397-399]:


PAUL M. COOGAN

Paul M. Coogan has built up a prosperous business in Peoria in the
sale of gravel, being the president and general manager of the 
Coogan Gravel Company, one of the most important concerns in its
line in this section of the state.  He was born in Lincoln, Logan
county, Illinois, on the 5th of October, 1896, and is a son of
James and Nancy (Edwards) Coogan.  The family is of Irish extraction
in the paternal line, the grandfather, James Coogan, Sr., having
been born in Ireland, whence he came to this country, locating in
Lincoln, Illinois, where he was a teaming contractor.  James Coogan,
Jr., was born and lives in Lincoln, where he is engaged in the
retail grocery business.  He is a democrat in politics and a member
of the Roman Catholic Church.  His wife, also a native of Lincoln,
is a daughter of Archibald and Orrie (Barnett) Edwards, natives,
respectively, of Kentucky and Illinois, who died in Lincoln, where
the father was long engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Paul M. Coogan graduated from the Lincoln high school in 1914 and
then entered the editorial rooms of the Lincoln Courier-Herald as
city editor, which position he held for two years.  He then went to
the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph, being employed in the display
advertising department until December, 1917, when he enlisted for
the World war.  He was in training at Rantoul, Illinois, for eight
months, being then transferred to Fort Omaha, Nebraska, where he
remained one month.  He was then sent to balloon officers' training
camp at Fort Cook, Nebraska, where he was located during the two
months immediately preceding the Armistice, and was honorably
discharged there, November 30, 1918.  Mr. Coogan then entered the
advertising department of the Decatur Review, at Decatur, Illinois,
with which paper he was connected for two months, when he became
traveling salesman and sales manager for the McGrath Sand and
Gravel Company of Lincoln.  He held that position until April, 1926,
when he came to Peoria and organized the Coogan Gravel Company, of
which he is president and general manager, and which owns a gravel
pit at Chillicothe, this state, selling its products throughout the
central portion of Illinois.  The gravel is of excellent quality
and the company's prompt and efficient service has been a 
contributing element to the growth of its business.

On February 20, 1921, in Bloomington, Illinois, Mr. Coogan was
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Shields, who was born and 
reared in that city and is a daughter of John and Mary (Christy)
Shields, both of whom were natives of Ireland and died in 
Bloomington.  Mr. Shields was employed for a number of years as a
machinist by the Chicago & Alton Railroad.  Mrs. Coogan is a 
graduate of the Bloomington high school and the State Normal
University, and prior to her marriage taught school in Bloomington
and Lincoln, this state.  She is a member of the Women's Club and
the Story Tellers' Club of Peoria.  Mr. and Mrs. Coogan are the
parents of three children: James McDermott, born August 15, 1922,
Mary Jane, February 1, 1925, and Elizabeth Ann, June 20, 1927.  Mr.
Coogan maintains an independent attitude in politics, voting
according to the dictates of his judgement, regardless of political
lines.  He belongs to the Peoria Association of Commerce and lends
his influence in every possible way towards the advancement of his
community.  He and his wife are members of St. Bernard's Roman
Catholic Church and are generous supporters of all worthy benevolent
causes.

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