- DR. JAMES E. COAKLEY, who is engaged in the practice of the
medical profession in Milton
- Junction, and is one of the most popular citizens of that
pleasant little village, was born in Madison County, N.Y., on
the 9th day of October, 1839, and is a son of John and Katie
COAKLEY. His early life was spent under the parental roof, and
in his native State he received a liberal education. He pursued
the rudimentary branches in the common schools, after which he
took a two years' course in the New York Central College, at
McGrawville, Cortland County. He also graduated at the Janesville
Commercial College at the age of eighteen years. At the age of
seventeen years, leaving his home in the East, he emigrated in
company with two other young men to Wisconsin, locating in Rock
County. For some time he followed the profession of teaching,
being employed in that line in Lima Center and various district
schools, and for two years served as superintendent in Walworth
County. Wishing to make the practice of medicine his life work,
he entered the office of Drs. CLARK and RICE, leading physicians
of Whitewater, under whom he pursued his studies for a few months.
The same year, 1860, he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago,
but about this time the country was threatened with a civil war.
When Ft. Sumter was fired upon and the echoes of its guns went
thundering over the land, awakening the slumbering patriotism
in the breasts of Northern citizens, and President Lincoln issued
his call for volunteers to put down the rebellion, he could not
longer confine his attention to his studies, and in the spring
of 1861, enlisted among the Boys in Blue of the 19th Wisconsin
Infantry. He was appointed to the position of steward in the
hospital and remained with his regiment until 1863, when he was
discharged from the service and again entered college. He completed
his studies the following spring and was graduated in the class
of 1864. After leaving the school room, he once more entered
the service and was commissioned First Assistant Surgeon of the
22d Wisconsin Infantry and served until the close of the war,
when he was mustered out.
- After the cessation of hostilities, Dr. COAKLEY returned
to Rock County and entered upon the
- practice of his profession in Milton Junction, where he has
been engaged continuously since. For twenty-three years he has
been numbered among the physicians of Rock County, and has gained
a prominent position in the ranks of his professional brethren.
His practice in quite extensive, extending over a wide circuit,
and no matter what the weather, be it fair or foul, he responds
to the calls made upon him.
- In 1865, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Amelia
WOOSTER, and unto them were
- born two children, one of whom, a little daughter, is now
deceased. Lyman Wyllis, who was born Aug. 23, 1874, is now attending
school. In his social relations, Dr. COAKLEY is a member of the
G.A.R. Post of Milton Junction, to which he has belonged for
six years, and for ten years has held membership in the Odd Fellows
Society, and is also a member of the Masonic Order. He feels
an interest in political affairs and is a staunch supporter of
the Republican party. The cause of education finds in the Doctor
a warm friend, whose aid is always ready and whose influence
is ever given to the advancement of its interest. A lover of
fine horses, he has given considerable attention to their breeding,
and is now the owner of several horses of value. He is one of
the most energetic and progressive citizens of Milton Junction,
alive to every enterprise which is calculated to be of public
benefit, and none are held in higher regard than the Doctor,
who is numbered among the early settlers of Rock County, having
for a third of a century made his home within its borders.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 702-703.
-
- Courtesy of Carol H.
|