http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm 20 April 2022 COOGAN story appearing in "Catholic Pittsfield and Berkshire" (Katherine F. Mullaney, 1897) [PAGE 218-221]: OWEN COOGAN One of the most successful and respected men who settled permanently in Pittsfield was Mr. Owen Coogan, who became a resident in 1850, having purchased the tannery business of Messrs. Brown the year before. James Brown, grandfather of James and Simeon Brown - of whom Mr. Coogan bought the property - had built this old tannery in 1798. This line of manufacturing had always been a very lucrative one in Pittsfield - all who ventured in it becoming wealthy as time passed by. Mr. Coogan, like his predecessors, also reaped ample wealth as years rolled on. He was born in Ireland October 22nd, 1820. Nature and education benefitting him to rise above the conditions which native environments forced upon him, he determined to try his fortune in this free land' of ours, where merit and perserverance are sure to win; therefore he left his native land in 1840, arriving in Quebec sometime after- wards, being but twenty years of age. Possessed of an active mind and quick perception, he readily saw there was not, in that city, the opportunities of a less crowded population, and his ambition urging him onwards, he entered the States, where his abilities and business qualifications brought him the success he aimed at. In ten years he was enabled to purchase the leather manufacturing business of the Messrs. Brown, as related. Here he found, in the picturesque beauty of the place, the genial warmth of its inhabitants, and hearty encouragement of its business men, all that fitted in with the poetic taste, warm-hearted generosity, and industrious perserveringness of his Celtic nature. After some time he enlarged and well nigh rebuilt the old tannery, which his business tact and skill soon made one of the most prosperous establishments in the county. In 1884, a disastrous fire reduced the buildings almost to ashes. This catastrophe was but the beginning of business reverses which, thereafter, visited him more than once; however, he did not lose heart but rebuilt again, continuing the business until his death on the 11th of December, 1887. That Mr. Coogan won the esteem and confidence of all citizens is testified by their electing him to the [photo] OWEN COOGAN legislature in 1875; this being the first time in Berkshire that a Catholic enjoyed this distinction. His personal character was distinguished by rare sweetness - a trait that made his home life one of well nigh perfect happiness. His wife was Miss Eliza Booden of Ware, whom he married in 1849, four children coming to render still more complete the domestic happiness which blessed their home. One who knew Mr. Coogan best and closest says: "He possessed, in an eminent degree, a well bred reserve - combined with an interested sincerity in the well being of others - that made his company, socially, a treat, and intellectually, an inspiration. It was to his home, that his exiled countrymen of the neighborhood ever came when perplexed, troubled or afflicted, to find him always both wise and generous." Mr. Coogan, more than any other of his countrymen who settled in Pittsfield, exerted an influence that did much to uproot prejudice against his race and faith, by his intellectual force and calm forbearance, under circumstances which freqently were a test of both; his solid mental and moral training bestowing a logical, clear sighted and charitable discernment, not always possessed by his less favored countrymen, when placed in like difficulties. Mr. Coogan's sons succeeded him at his death. _________________________________________________________________ http://books.google.com