Judge James Cooney, probate judge, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Ireland, August 26, 1848. At the age of six he came with his parents to the United States. They located at Troy, New York. When he was only eight years old he was left an orphan by the death of both of his parents. His early life was spent on a farm, and at the age of eighteen, in 1866, he came to Knoxville, Illinois, and attended the Knoxville academy, and taught school at the same time. In 1868 he attended the State University at Columbia, Missouri, teaching at the same time, until 1872. From 1873 to 1875 he was principal of the high school at Sturgeon, Boone county, Missouri, and read law during the time. In the fall of 1875 he came to Marshall, in this county, was admitted to the bar, and located there for the practice of his profession, and entered into co-partnership with L. W. Scott, Esq. From 1876 to 1880 he was justice of the peace for Marshall township, and in 1880 was elected probate judge of Saline county. In December, 1874, he was married to Miss Lilly Orme, of Sturgeon, Missouri, and she died in March, 1875.
