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27 October 2013

Obituary of James J. Coogan

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(extracted from "New Haven Register" [CT], 10 AUG 1893, PAGE ?):

JAMES J. COOGAN IS DEAD

Few Knew That He Was Ailing 

The Assistant Superintendent at the Almshouse 
Attacked with Apoplexy, and Hemorage 
of the Brain Sets In - His 
Career as a Politician - 
Was a Member of 
Many Societies 

James J. Coogan, the assistant superintendent of the almshouse, died 
suddenly this morning at 6:30 o'clock, in his room at Springside 
farm, from hemorrhage of the brain, the result of a stroke of 
apoplexy.

Although he had been ill for the last six weeks it was not believed
that he was in critical condition, and he even expected to be able
to attend to his duties in a day or two longer and was preparing to
go on an excursion next Tuesday, for which he had made arrangements.

For the last two years Mr. Coogan, although a strong and healthy
looking man has been afflicted at times with symptoms which led him
to believe that he would some day be afflicted with apoplexy.  He
was an exceedingly fleshy man, weighing over 300 pounds, and it was
because of his flesh that led him to believe that apoplexy might 
attack him.  His ailments, however, soon passed away and during the 
past two years he has not been incapacitated from attending to his
duties on account of these slight attacks with apoplectic tendancies.
About six weeks ago, however, he began to complain that he was 
suffering with severe pains in the head and from that time up to the
time of his death he had been constantly under the care of a doctor,
those attending him being Drs. Luby, Carmalt and Fleischner.

Up to within a week he has been able to be up and dressed, but a 
week ago, upon the advice of hia physician, he took to his bed most 
of the time, although each day has seen him up and dressed.  Even 
then he expected to recover from the indisposition and believed that 
in a week or two be would be in his usual good health.

Last night he complained of not feeling as well as usual, and during 
the night he was extremely restless.  His wife a short time ago met 
with an accident which sprained her ankle, and since then she has 
been incapacitated from attending to her duties, the only way she 
could get around being in a wheeled chair, which had been provided 
for her.  Notwithstanding her infirmity she remained in the room 
with her husband last night and gave him the attention that was
possible, sleepiag in her chair, as he slept and awake when he awoke 
attending his wants.  About 6 o'clock this morning he said to his 
wife: "I am not feeling so well this morning.  My head is aching 
intensely as though somebody was hitting me over the head with a 
hammer.  So don't be surprised if I have not long to stay with you."

As he uttered these words he put his hand on the top of his head, 
indicating the locality of the pain, at the same time seating himself 
on the cot in which he had been sleeping.  He hardly sat down when he 
fell back upon the cot in an unconscious condition.

Mrs. Coogan called to Mrs. Sanford who was close by and she 
responded, as did also Superintendent Sanford who heard it.  When 
they entered the room Mr. Coogan was still breathing by had sunk 
into a deep, comatose condition.  In 20 minutes after he was 
attacked life was extinct.  An examination which was made soon after 
led the attending physician in the house to believe that Mr. Coogan 
had been attacked with apoplexy and that hemorrhage of the brain had 
set in which caused his death.  His death was a perfectly painless 
one, for after he fell back upon the bed there was no movement, he 
laying as calmly as though asleep.

The announcement of Mr. Coogan's death was received about the city 
this morning with surprise, for but a few knew that he had been 
ailing or that he was under a doctor's care.  He was widely known 
in this city, for his long connection with the almshouse had made 
him a familiar figure in the management of town affairs, and he was 
extremely popular with all who knew him.  He was of a most happy 
disposition and it was this very characteristic which won him a wide 
circle of friends and acquaintances.  Mr. Coogan was born in 1847, 
his parents being John and Eliza Coogan, who lived on Bradley street 
near Grand avenue, where both remained until their death, and where 
Mrs. Coogan, the second wife of his father, now resides. John Coogan 
had two children by his first wife, one being James J. Coogan and 
the second Richard Coogan, the present janitor of the Police 
building.  By his second wife, John Coogan had five children, they 
being John F. Coogan, William H. Coogan, Edward Coogan, Henry Coogan 
and Mrs. Nellie Cannon, all of whom are living and are half brothers
and sister to the deceased.  The deceased leaves besides these
relatives a wife and one son, John W. Coogan, who is a young man
about 20 years of age.  James J. Coogan in his early live secured 
his education at the St. Patrick's parochial school and later 
became a graduate of Peter Smith's classical school, a private
institution which has long since been abolished owing to the death of
Peter Smith.  During his boyhood days he was a devout church member,
and for many years he was an altar boy at St. Francis's Church.  At
the completion of his school days he entered the employ of the New
Haven Clock company and remained with it for a number of years, and
subsequently became connected with Commissioner William Maley in the
grocery business at the corner of Hamilton and Walnut streets.  
During his early manhood he became connected with Company E, Sixth
regiment, known as the Montgomery guards, and arose to the rank of
sergeant, but the disbanding of the company and the regiment severed
his connection with military duty.

He was a strong democrat and was at one time the representative of
the Sixth ward in the board of councilmen, serving one term.  He
also became connected with various prominent organizations, and was
for a long time the president of Division No. 5, Ancient Order of
Hibernians.  He was also a grand knight of Columbia council, Knights
of Columbus, and held important positions in Court Metropolitan,
Ancient Order of Foresters, and was a prominent member of the 
Knights of Columbus.

On Jan. 5, 1880, he was chosen by the selectment of New Haven for
the position of assistant superintendent of the almshouse and he
served continuously in such position until 1890, when he was 
displaced and John J. Sullivan was appointed in his place.  In 
December of that year a new board of selectmen came in, and on Dec.
6, 1890, Mr. Coogan was again chosen to the position of assistant,
which position he assumed on Jan. 1, 1891, and has held constantly
since up to the time of his death.  He was an admirable official,
being especially adapted for the work for which he was chosen, and
his death will be a loss to the town which he served so faithfully
and well.  His funeral will take place on Saturday morning at 9
o'clock from St. Mary's church, which has been his adopted parish
since he became connected with the town farm.

_____________________________________________________________________
(extracted from "Meriden Weekly Republican" [CT], 10 AUG 1893, 
PAGE 5):

[JAMES J. COOGAN] 

The funeral of James J. Coogan, assistant superintendent of the New 
Haven almshouse, who died suddenly Thursday morning, will be held 
from St. Mary's church, New Haven, tomorrow morning.  Mr. Coogan 
leaves a widow and one son, John W. Coogan.  Richard Coogan, janitor 
of the police building is his brother, and his stepbrothers are John 
F., William H. and Henry. Mrs. Nellie Cannon is his half sister and 
his stepmother resides on Bradley street. The deceased was a member 
of Columbia council, Knights of Columbus; Court Metropolitan, A.O.F. 
of A.; the Knights of St. Patrick, and division 5, A.O.H. During the 
war he was a member of Company E, Sixth regiment, and was a sergeant 
of the company.

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(extracted from "New Haven Register" [CT], 11 AUG 1893, PAGE ?):

COOGAN - At Springside Home, New Haven, Aug. 10th, James J. Coogan,
aged 46 years.  Funeral Saturday, Aug. 12th, at 9:30 a.m.  Requiem
mass at St. Mary's Church at 10 a.m.

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