http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm 28 May 2018 COOGAN story appearing in "The Prenological Journal and Life Illustrated" (Samuel R. Wells, 1870) [PAGE 136-138]: PATRICK J. COOGAN THIS portrait is expressive of well- J- marked traits of character in the original. He is a lively, vivacious, frank. communicative man; has a strong will, a disposition to act on the impulse of the moment, and a warmly sympathetic nature. The Mental predominates over the Vital and Motive, yet there is a good base of brain and' a development of the bony-structure sufficient to render him enduring, tough, and recuperative. He has a strongly marked development of the observing faculties; he is of quick perception, and gathers knowledge with facility in his intercourse with the world of activity around him. This quality, associated with his large Constructiveness and Ideality, should make him facile in planning and arranging business, and ingenious in expedients for the advantage of himself or others. His Language is large. Culture aud practice would make him a good off-hand speaker, indeed one who would embody much of the polish and effectiveness of rhetoric. The photograph from which the portrait was engraved was taken in 1864, at the time Mr. Coogan was a fugitive from home, and its apparent emaciation and ill health are due chiefly to the sad experiences he had just passed through. MR. COOGAN was born at Ballinasloe [County Galway], in Ireland, in the year 1820. The name in that part of the country is limited to the immediate descendants of his grandfather, who with a brother removed thither from the south of Ireland, while another brother emigrated to the United States and served in the war of 1812 as a quartermaster. The latter bore a name identical with the subject of our sketch, viz., Patrick J. Coogan. When almost nineteen years of age Mr. Coogan came to America. He had learned the carpenter's trade at home, and went to work at it here. When the Mexican war opened, he enlisted in the artillery service and was appointed first artificer. He participated in the military operations at Tampico, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubnsco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, and finally at the gates of the city of Mexico. He served also in Florida among the Indians. In 1849 he withdrew from the army, bearing with him many valuable presents as testimonials of esteem from the officers and men with whom he had been associated so long. He had determined on traveling to the West, where he had one or two relatives, and with that intent directed his course through Georgia. At Atlanta, however, he was brought to a stand by a severe attack of fever. His recovery being slow, the physicians in charge recommended a return to the seaboard as most likely to hasten full recovery. He did so, and took up his quarters on Sullivan's Island, near Charleston. There, improved health warranting the effort, Mr. Coogan undertook the management of a store, in which new sphere he acquitted himself to the entire satisfaction of owners and patrons. An opportunity offering which he deemed advantageous, he left the Island and opened a restaurant in the business quarter of Charleston. An enterprising spirit and a prompt appreciation of the public wants early secured a high degree of success in this venture, and enabled him to extend his facilities for the accommodation of patrons. As was altogether natural, his military experience could not lie dormant when there were influences about him tending to arouse it; so, soon after he settled in Charleston, he [PORTRAIT OF PATRICK J. COOGAN] joined a volunteer regiment, and was elected captain. When the rebellion took form in the South, he was solicited to join in the movement; but here, in the very outset of the contest, Mr. Coogan took the stand which made him conspicuous in Southern politics. While he esteemed highly many of those who took part in the cause of secession, he plainly assured them that he "never would participate in anything against the integrity and dignity of the United States." He "could not take up arms against the Government which had received him so kindly when he came here, and for which he had fought in many a hard battle." His business obliged him to mingle much with the more active people of Charleston, and as he was not particularly reticent with reference to his political views, matters became so wann that he was obliged to leave the place; but it was not until October, 1864, when the exhausted resources of the "Confederacy" in men and money compelled the attempt to replenish its army by extreme measures. The alternative being presented of entering the Confederate army or leaving home and family to take refuge beyond the bounds of Confederate authority, he chose the latter, and secretly embarked on a vessel which safely ran the blockade of Charleston harbor, and landed him at Nassau, N. P. While there awaiting some tidings from his family, he was informed of the confiscation of his property. He remarked, dryly, that such proceeding would save him the payment of the taxes for a short time. From Nassau he sailed to New York, where he remained until about the middle of February, 1865, and then made preparations to return to Charleston. Three days after the surrender of that place to the U. S. forces Mr. Coogan entered it. When the first Convention was called in South Carolina in accordance with the reconstruction policy of Mr. Johnson, Mr. Coogan was elected the delegate from the Charleston district. This Convention was remarkable for little more than the ordinance for the abolition of slavery by the State, and for laying the basis for future legislation. An election of members from the different parts of the State to revive the State Legislature followed not long after the adjournment of the Convention, and to it as a representative of Charleston Mr. Coogan was sent by a good majority of votes, although his views of attachment to the Union had been plainly declared to all who sought them. At the first session he opposed the celebrated "Black Code," so called on account of its provisions with reference to the future condition of the freedmen of the State. After the adjournment of this first session, an extra session of the Legislature was called, during which the amendment now known as the Fourteenth Article of the Constitution of the U. S. was introduced, but was not reported upon by the committee having it in charge until almost, the last hour of the session, and then unfavorably. When the expression of the members was taken with reference to the acceptance of the report of the committee, Mr. Coogan was the only man to vote No, in the whole assembly, a manifestation of courage and fidelity to principle which though it subjected him to the sharp displeasure of nearly all his political associates at the time, has since secured the approval of those in his State who have come to appreciate the sound judgment and foresight which guided his action. Mr. Coogan recovered his real property which had been confiscated as already mentioned, but in a much deteriorated condition, the buildings having been considerably injured in the bombardment. He had also a large amount of money invested in cotton which he left in Charleston at the time of his flight. This, however, on the occupation of the city by the Union forces, was seized as rebel property, and was so manipulated by those who professed to be Government agents, that he did not succeed in recovering more than a quarter of its value. Mr. Coogan is still a resident of Charleston, and takes an active interest in political affairs, filling two or three important official positions. _____________________________________________________________________ http://books.google.com