William C. Coogan 1869

Second member of Thomas R. and Mary J. (Armstrong) Coogan family.

William Charles Coogan
b. 10 Jun. 1869      d. 24 Apr. 1945      rp. Albany Rural Cemetery, Lot #65,  Sec. 109, near the South Gate.
fm. About. 1890 to Mary L. Baker      b. 1874      d.  May 29, 1936  bb. Husband, Coronary Sclerosis

sm. Justina Laib Eisenhut

History of the Police Service of Albany; 1609 to 1902   ---Author, Paddock

The Coogan and Baker plots are next to each other. Large beautiful stones marked with Masonic symbols through the 32nd degree, are present for both families.

Records are on Soundex microfilm C250 reel 26/28 in the Albany State Library and in the Albany Police department records. A caption beneath his Police Dept. photo, reads:

"Captain William C. Coogan of the Third Precinct was born in this city June 10 1869. After completion of public school education, he became a skilled carpenter and builder.
Captain Coogan served five years in the National Guard and joined the Albany Police force 10 Jan. 1893. He was promoted to Mounted Patrolman June 15, 1895 and promoted to Sergeant January 1, 1903. His faithfulness to duty earned for him the rank of Captain on January 2, 1909.  He retired from the police department May 1, 1930."
Captain Coogan is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F.&A.M., Capital City Chapter 242 R. A. M., DeWitt Clinton Council No 22, Temple Commandery No.2, Knights Templar, Albany Consistory Ancient Accepted Scotish Rite, Thirty-second Degree, Cypress Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., and Clinton Lodge No. 71, I. O. O. F.

Soundex T1062 Box 101; 1900 census vol. 2, ED 40, Sheet 12, Line 26
William C. Coogan      Born  Jun. 1869       (31 years old)  single
Boards at 356 Livingston Ave.  Mother's birth place Ireland.  There were no children born of William in either marriage.

Captain Coogan's popularity among his brother officers was proverbial.  When the second annual banquet of the quarter century club of the Albany Police department was held January 8, 1931, a song appeared in the souvanier folder dedicated to Mr. Coogan and written by a fellow officer James Henry Kaspen.

When the police first assembled in their semi-annual drill
   Mr. Coogan was the straightest man in line
And the Germans were compelled to say, though much against their will,
   "Mr. Coogan is one hundred karats fine."

With form compact and step erect,
   Twas plain to see he had no equal there.
His noble stride that each one tried
   would mark him as a model anywhere.

At the judge's command he was lead to the stand
   The sergeant for him led the way
And the first prise was won when the judge said,
"Well done, well done, Mr. Coogan is the hero of the day."

So cheer long and loud for Bill Coogan, all shout,
for Bill Coogan a Tiger and three times three:
Every cheer in the crowd was for Coogan, all shout,
"Bill Coogan the strong man who came from Tipperary."

GO TO the next page

RETURN to the table of contents

RETURN to the home page