James Cooney.

The Irish citizens and farmers in Jackson County have a fine representative in the gentleman above named, who is one of the most thorough agriculturists in the couty, and whose record as a citizen is irreproachable. His residence is located on section 31, Franklin Township where he owns 160 acres of productive land, and is also the fortunate possessor of 130 acres additional. The residence, barn, etc. on his place are more than ordinarily well built, and the whole estate bears an appearance of thrift and prosperity that to the eyes of the stranger would mark it as the home of a man of progressive ideas, good judgment and enterprise.

The birth of Mr. Cooney took place in the Emerald Isle Aug 22, 1842, and about nine years later he was brought by his parents to America. They first settled in New York, and later in Tazewell County, Ill., where the father subsequently died. Their son James, the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents as long as they remained upon earth, and continued to make his home in Tazewell County until 1884, in the spring of which year he made his settlement on his present estate.

The rites of wedlock were celebrated in Tazewell County, Ill., between Mr. Cooney and Miss Margaret Flynn, who was also a native of the Emerald Isle. This estimable lady has borne her husband nine children: Mary, Stasia, William, Edward, Maggie and Thomas; three deceased — Ellen, Catharine and James. Mary is the wife of Thomas Whalen, and the mother of three children — Sarah, David and James.

Mr. Cooney has been a member of the School Board, and is much interested in the cause of education, and an increase in the efficiency of the schools, which already rank so high among those of the Nation. In politics he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Catholic Church. The keen perception and the quick wit of the Irishman are not often better displayed than they have been in the life of this gentleman, who keeps abreast of the times in everything which pertains to farm life and work, and who has an intelligent understanding of the events transpiring about him. His fellow citizens of Irish birth or ancestry may well be pleased with his record as a man and citizen, and point to it with pride.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas: Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, Together with Portraits & Biographies of All the Governors of the State and of the Presidents of the United States" ⁶⁰⁰¹