Second Generation

3. James Joseph2 Coogan (Owen [Charles]1) was born Montreal, QC, CANADA 12 AUG 1846. James died 05 JUL 1936 Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, at 89 years of age. His body was interred 08 JUL 1936 Mattapan, Suffolk, MA, New Calvary Cemetery.

He married Johanna Harrington Cambridge, Middlesex, MA, 01 SEP 1867. Johanna was born Kerry, IRELAND MAY 1846. Johanna was the daughter of John J. Harrington and Ellen J. Morrow. Johanna died 01 OCT 1909 Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, at 63 years of age. Her body was interred 04 OCT 1909 Mattapan, Suffolk, MA, New Calvary Cemetery.

He was baptized in Notre Dame du Montreal, Montreal, QC, CANADA, 13 AUG 1846. Religion: Roman Catholic. The sponsors were Owen McShane and Mary Ward. Baptism records show the family surname as Cooghan.

He resided Montreal, QC, CANADA 1851, Nazareth [Street]. *

His mother died when he was six years old. When he was 10 years old, his father remarried. Irene Golden related a story James told her once: "I was dating a young man whose father was getting remarried. My date was not happy about the situation and Grandpa heard about this. He told us a story about when he was young and his father came to him and told him about how nice it would be to have a new mother. He said that it had turned out to be true and that my friend shouldn't worry."

He resided Montreal, QC, CANADA 1861, 101 Wellington. He appears in the 1861 CANADA Census. Note: James was listed in the 1871 Census as well, even though he was actually living in Cambridge, MA at that time.

James's occupation: Trader Montreal, QC, CANADA, 1861-1864. Charlie Coogan said that James spoke of traveling in the Carribean (Jamaica) as a horse trader. Robbie Coogan said that the Coogans traded horses during the US Civil War - James often accompanied his father to Brighton, MA (where horses were traded). Robbie also said that the Union army tried to draft James but he didn't want to join.

He emigrated, SEP 1864. Point of origin: Montreal, PQ, CANADA. *

James immigrated, SEP 1864. Destination: Boston, MA. The 1910 US Census reported his immigration date. His obituary claimed that he "came to Boston at the age of 20..."

He resided MA 1864-1867. *

James's occupation: Towboy MA, 1864-1867. After moving to the US, he secured a position with the Old Highland Railway. His obituary stated that "He started in the business as a towboy, caring for the horses after they completed their runs."

He resided Cambridge, Middlesex, MA 1867-1869. He apparently lived at a place called "Torrey's at Mount Auburn." He appears in the 1868 Cambridge City Directory. His marriage record stated his residence.

James's occupation: Car Driver Cambridge, Middlesex, MA, 1867-1873. He worked for the "U" Railroad. He appears in the 1870 US Census. He appears in the 1868, 1871 and 1872 Cambridge City Directories.

He resided Cambridge, Middlesex, MA 1869-1874, 9 Crane Street. He appears in the 1870 US Census. He appears in the 1871, 1872 and 1873 Cambridge City Directories.

James's occupation: Horse Trader Cambridge, Middlesex, MA, 1873-1874. His obituary stated: "He was a great lover of horses and was a horse trader in addition to his duties for the railway company. He maintained a large string of animals." He appears in the 1873 Cambridge City Directory.

He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1874-1876, 4 Bowditch Court. He appears in the 1875 Boston City Directory. The birth record of his daughter, Josephine, stated his residence.

James's occupation: Car Driver Grove Hall, Suffolk, MA, 1874-1887. His obituary reported: "He ... was operator of the 'band car' which plied between the city proper and distant Oakland Gardens at Grove Hall, Roxbury, then a pleasure resort." He appears in the 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886 and 1887 Boston City Directories. His obituary stated his occupation.

He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1876-1883, 1 Regent Court. He appears in the 1880 US Census. He appears in the 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, and 1883 Boston City Directories. The birth records of his children, John and Catharine, stated his residence.

He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1883-1885, 61 Regent Street. He appears in the 1884 and 1885 Boston City Directories. The birth record of his son, Frank, stated his residence.

He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1885-1889, 18 Ray Street. He appears in the 1886, 1887, 1888 and ***1889 Boston City Directories.

James's occupation: Carbarn Manager Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, 1887-1894. His obituary said: "When the West End Street Railway Company made its debut [1887], he continued in the railway business...[he was made] superintendent of the carbarns at the Norfolk House, Roxbury."

He petitioned the court to become a citizen Boston, Suffolk, MA, 21 OCT 1887. He was officially naturalized 24 OCT 1889.

He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1889-1893, 16 Ray Street. He appears in the 1890 Boston City Directory.

He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1893-1908, 8 Wakullah Street. He lived in the Eliot Square House. He appears in the 1900 US Census. He appears in the ***1893, ***1894, ***1897, 1900, and 1905 Boston City Directories.

James's occupation: Electric Trolley Starter Boston, Suffolk, MA, 1894-1905. His obituary said: "With the advent of the electric cars [1894] he became a starter for the Boston Elevated Railway, which suceeded the West End company." He appears in the 1900 US Census. He appears in the 1900 and 1905 Boston City Directories.

He resided Roxbury, Suffolk, MA 1908-1936, 121 Dale Street. He appears in the 1910 and 1920 US Censuses. He appears in the 1910, 1915, 1920 and 1925 Boston City Directories. His son, Francis Henry, reported James' address in the 1918 World War I Draft Registrations. His obituary stated his residence.

James's occupation: Gateman Forest Hills, Suffolk, MA, 1915-1926. He worked for the Boston Elevated Railway. His obituary stated that he "worked at the Forest Hills Station where he was known to thousands of patrons." He appears in the 1915, 1920 and 1925 Boston City Directories.

James traveled Montreal, QC, CANADA, 1921. He took his granddaughter, Irene Golden, with him. She said they went on the train to see his sister's family [Dempsey] in Griffintown and then to visit another sister's family [Kelly] in a nicer part of the city. Irene noted that James seemed to understand French.

Irene Golden said she remembered how James would come home every day for lunch and time his eating with his 'railroad watch.' He waited until just before the streetcar would appear in front of the house, then he would stroll out to meet it - just in time.

James retired Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, 1926. His obituary stated: "At the time of his retirement 10 years ago Mr Coogan had the distinction of being the oldest Elevated employee."

Irene Golden said that her Aunt Winny Mahoney always referred to James as 'the Old Gentleman.'

Irene Golden described James' wake: "When Grandpa died, we had the wake at his home on Dale Street. We sat up all evening for people to pay their respects. Grandpa had raised Boston Terrier litters, and he had given one to the priest of Saint Joseph's Parish. When the priest came, he brought the dog to play with Grandpa's dog (its 'brother'), 'Jimmy'."

His funeral was held Roxbury, Suffolk, MA, 08 JUL 1936. His obituary said: "Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph's Church, Roxbury on Wednesday morning, where a high mass of requiem will be sung."

James Joseph Coogan and Johanna Harrington had the following children:

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