Early Days
Charles was the youngest son and fifth child born to Thomas Todd Cooley and Margaret Cooley (Edmondston) in Hobart Town on 30th Sept 1842.
It is mentioned in Charles' obituary that he began an apprenticeship in the drapery business at the ripe old age of 8!
Later in life he worked with his father and brother John in running omnibuses in Hobart.
This photo was taken c1906 at a family gathering.
Charles' marriage
Charles married Frances Jones on 7th April 1870 at St John's Church in Launceston. They had a large family of 11 children, all of whom were born in Hobart apart from the eldest Charles Frederick who was born in Launceston.
Charles Frederick
born 14 Feb 1871 Launceston married Elizabeth TONKS
Florence Ada
born 26 May 1873 Hobart
Amelia Matilda
born 4 Sep 1874 Hobart married William JEFFREY
Arthur Morris
born 13 Jun 1876 Hobart did not marry - 21 Mar 1869
Percy Raymond
born 21 Jul 1880 Hobart
Edith Frances
born 25 Apr 1882 Hobart married Doug JOHNSTON
Hector William
born 8 Jun 1884 Hobart married Ruby Anne CATANACH
Louis Harold
born 30 Aug 1886 Hobart
Vera May
born 6 Jun 1889 Hobart married Arthur SMITH
Reginald Clyde
born 30 Aug 1886 Hobart
Ina Aberdeen
born 3 Mar 1892 Hobart did not marry
Charles' Life
Published in the Jubilee History of Tasmania V2 Part II P15
Charles M Cooley: Mr Cooley is a native of New Town, Tas, being the youngest son of the late Mr TT Cooley of that place and born in 1842. At the age of 8 he went to serve his apprenticeship at the drapery business and spent a short time in Melbourne. After 5 years he was compelled to relenquish his business in consequence of ill health.
For some time he carried on the line of New Town Omnibuses in conjunction with his father and brother, John. This business was established about 1857. Mr Cooley finally took over the business in 1875 and has conducted it with success since that date. The line extends from Hobart to Glenorchy. About 30 horses and ten buses are required for the trade.
In 1870 Mr Cooley married the third daughter of Mr Frederick Jones, Launceston, the result of the union being eight children.
In Walch's Almanac on 26th Feb 1908 there appears an obituary for Charles who died that same day, he was buried at Cornelian Bay Cemetery in Hobart in a private grave.