Another eminent and well-beloved minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has been called to his reward. Twice in the same week our church in Illinois was called to mourn the departure of one of its honored sons. After a long period of intense but patient suffering. Rev. C.P. Cooley, entered into the rest of the eternal Sabbath on Sunday morning, December 10, at Urbana, Ill., to which city he recently removed, when ill-health forced him to retire from the pastorate at Ridge Farm, and close a long and active ministry. Few more lovable men ever lived. In addition to his faithful labors, his sweet Christian spirit was a blessing to many lives. The editor will sorely miss the sympathetic, encouraging letters which frequently came from Brother Cooley. Even when in the midst of suffering, he did not fail to cheer and encourage others. The following sketch of his life is taken from the Urbana Courier-Herald:

Rev. C.P. Cooley was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, on December 9, 1839. His father, Rev. Jonathan Cooley, was a pioneer Cumberland Presbyterian minister in western Indiana, and his mother, Malinda (Maxwell) Cooley, was a niece of Rev. John M. Berry, one of the early ministers of the church of Illinois, and the first moderator of the Sangamon Presbytery.

The first Sunday school he ever attended was held in his father's house, which, by the way, was the regular place for preaching and other religious services in the community. The family moved to Illinois in 1854 and settled in what is now Douglas county. During a meeting at his father's house the Fairfield church was organized. It was there young Cooley gave himself to Christ. He attended Lincoln University and graduated in June, 1872, and was ordained in October of the same year, being licensed to preach in April, 1871. During the years that followed he supplied many admiring congregations in different cities of the state. He once served as financial agent for Lincoln University, and was stated clerk and treasurer for Foster Presbytery eighteen years. He was chairman of the committee of the presbytery that inaugurated the movement that established the first church in Danville. For one year he was president of the Interdenominational Sunday School Association of Douglas County, and for one year president of the Illinois State Sunday School Association of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Seven times he represented his presbytery in the General Assembly, as follows: At Jefferson, Texas; Austin, Texas; Kansas City, Mo.; Little Rock, Ark.; Meridian, Miss.; Chicago, Ill.; and West Point, Miss.

He was a member of the First Chruch Extension Association Committee of Illinois Synod, and was a member of the synod's committee that organized Chicago Presbytery.

Since his ordination up to his death he missed but one regular meeting of his presbytery--one out of sixty-one--and this was caused by a fatal illness in his family.

Rev. Mr. Cooley was present and assisted in the organization of the Illinois State Sunday School Association of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was one of its most loyal supporters.

On February 14, 1860, Rev. Cooley was married to Miss Pauline Briggs, who died in June, 1896. Later in life he was married to Miss Isabelle Dodds, of Auburn, Ill., who survives him.

His surviving children are Dr. E.B. Cooley, of Danville; Mrs. Dr. W.F. Burres, of Urbana; Mrs. Dr. Hammil, of Lincoln; Mrs. James A. Church, of Newman.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 21, 1905, page 723]

Ordained Ministers Deceased.

Name: C.P. Cooley
Presbytery: Foster
Occupation: charge
Place of Residence: Urban [sic: Urbana], Ill.
Date: Jan. 1906 [sic: December 10, 1905]
Age: 68

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1906, page 133a]