Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 291.
 
ELLIS E. COOLEY

     Early in life Ellis E. Cooley displayed that spirit of enterprise and
independence which raises the individual above the ranks of the commonplace,
spurring him ever onward, and for six years his name has figured conspicuously
in mercantile circles of Salem, which numbers him among its most capable young
business men. He was born in Hickory, Wisconsin, in 1894 and is a son of Warren
and Lucira (Powers) Cooley. His father was one of the prosperous agriculturists
of the Badger state and in 1907 brought his family to Oregon, settling in Salem,
where he has since lived retired. Although eighty-three years of age, he is
alert and vigorous and the mother, who has reached the seventy-ninth milestone
on life's journey, is also well preserved.
     Ellis E. Cooley was reared on his father's farm and attended the schools of
that district until he reached the age of thirteen. He continued his studies in
the public schools of Salem and also took a commercial course. In 1910, when a
youth of sixteen, he secured the position of clerk in the Bishop Clothing Store
and remained with the firm for ten years. He mastered every phase of the
business and was steadily promoted, becoming window decorator and advertising
manager. In 1918 Mr. Cooley ventured in business for himself, opening a clothing
store in Silverton, Oregon. For four years he was a resident of the town,
conducting the business in association with William A. Zosel, and on the
expiration of that period they entered mercantile circles of Salem, establishing
The Man's Shop in 1921. Mr. Zosel, the senior partner, withdrew from the firm
three years later and on March 1, 1924, his interest was purchased by H. W.
Huntington, who has since cooperated with Mr. Cooley in the management of the
business. They are located at No. 416 State street and the store is twenty-six
by one hundred feet in dimensions. They specialize in men's furnishings and
carry the Society Brand and Hickey-Freeman lines of clothing. Three clerks are
employed in the shop, which is the best of the kind in Salem and reflects the
progressive spirit and high commercial standards of its owners.
     On June 9, 1927, Mr. Cooley was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette Jones,
a native of Salem and a daughter of Seymour Jones, whose biography is published
elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Cooley belongs to the Cherrians, the Elks, the
Chamber of Commerce and the Illihee Country Club. He votes according to the
dictates of his judgment, supporting the candidate whom he considers best
qualified for office, and heartily indorses movements for Salem's growth and
betterment. He brings to his work the zest, enthusiasm and vigor of youth and is
destined to go far in his chosen field of endeavor.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2012 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.