William B. Cooley

    William B. Colley, an active enterprising citizen of Hartford City, was born in this city December 27, 1856, the eldest son of C. R. and Catherine B. (Brugh) Colley. He received his education in the schools of Hartford City, and his first employment was as clerk in the hardware store of Fisher & Chaffel, remaining with that firm but a short time. He then engaged in the grocery business in connection with his father, which he continued about six years, after which he clerked in a dry goods establishment for a time. In 1880 he became a partner in his father's milling business, and is still a member of the firm known as C. R. Cooley & Sons. In the fall of 1881, with B. M. Boyd, he engaged in the grain business under the firm name of Boyd & Colley, but later in the same year Mr. Boyd was succeeded by C. R. Colley, this being now a part of the business of C. R. and W. B. Colley. They handle from 100,000 to 175,000 bushels per year at Hartford City, beside which they handle grain at Upland and Dunkirk, which makes the total amount handled over 400,000 bushels. Mr. Colley is also associated with his father in a bakery and restaurant at Hartford City, to which he attends altogether.

    Mr. Colley was married January 24, 1881, to Miss Cora M. Edson, a daughter of L. O. Edson, of Hartford City, and to them have been born two children, named -Mabel and James Clayton. In 1875 Mr. Colley was appointed town councilman, which position he filled with satisfaction to his constituents. Politically he affiliates with the Republican Party.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.