At the time of his death, Pekin attorney W. B. Cooney (1859-1922) was lauded as “one of the most prominent lawyers of central Illinois.” Serving as a past City Attorney in 1889-1890, Cooney was a Pekin native whose Irish parents were among the vast numbers who came to America to escape the horrors of the Potato Famine in 1849. After arrival in Pekin, Cooney’s father William became the proprietor of Eagle House hotel at Court and Front streets.
Cooney was one of three brothers, all of whom chose careers as lawyers — one of them, Richard, even became Peoria County State’s Attorney. W. B. Cooney moved his law office in downtown Pekin a few times. Early city directories show his office on Capitol Street at the back of the Teis Smith Bank. Later on, we find the Cooney law office on the second floor of 304 Court St. building. Finally, his office was ensconced in the Arcade Building.
Cooney’s biography, which includes a brief account of his parents and brothers, was published in “Portrait and Biographical Record of Tazewell and Mason Counties” (1894), pages 359-360, as follows:
“W. B. COONEY is engaged in the practice of law in his native city, Pekin. He was born June 7, 1859, in the old Eagle House, one of the first hotels of this place. For some time it was carried on by his father, William Cooney, under whose management in that early day it enjoyed a wide reputation throughout the state. The father was a man of marked characteristics and a very prominent citizen. He was born in Ireland, and in 1849 he emigrated to New York, where he arrived without a dollar, but he possessed youth, health and a hopeful disposition, which enabled him to cope with the hardships of life. He came west to Pekin, where his sister, Mrs. Fleming, then resided, and for a time worked on the Illinois Central Railroad. Later he was employed on a steamboat running from Peoria to points as far south as New Orleans. In 1862, he left his hotel and removed to the northern part of Mason County, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, but he found it too near to the swamps to prove desirable, and in 1865 took up his residence near Manito, Ill., where he spent his remaining days. He died August 13, 1892, leaving a widow and three sons, William B., Richard J. and Thomas J., all lawyers of prominence. The two last are practitioners of Peoria. Richard served as City Attorney of Havana, Mason County, and is now State’s Attorney of Peoria County. The mother bore the maiden name of Alice Meehan. She was born on the Emerald Isle, and is yet living in Pekin, a well preserved lady.
“The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days upon his father’s farm near Manito. and when nineteen years of age became a teacher in the Coon Grove School. For three years he continued to follow that profession during the winter season, receiving a good salary, which he carefully saved and which he expended from time to time during vacations in acquiring knowledge. He attended the law department of the Northern Indiana Normal College of Valparaiso, Ind., was graduated therefrom in May, 1883, with the degree of LL. B., and was then admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court.
“Mr. Cooney went west to begin practice, and located in Fargo, N. Dak., where he spent two years in the prosecution of his chosen profession. Since 1886 he has been successfully engaged in practice in Pekin. One observing him would come to the conclusion that he works on the motto ‘Drive your business and do not let it drive you.’ He has the reputation of being an aggressive, forceful worker and has already secured an enviable reputation as a lawyer.
“On the 24th of December, 1891, our subject wedded Miss Idella Rodenbeck, a native of Pekin. Her father was a carpenter and builder, and was one of the old and respected residents of this place. His death occurred in December, 1893. In politics, Mr. Cooney is an ardent Democrat, and although he has held few offices, he has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the city and county. He was City Attorney of Pekin for one term and served its interests with fidelity and ability. We bespeak for him a bright and successful career, which his merits deserve.”
Cook County marriage records show that William and Idella were married on 24 Dec. 1891 in Chicago, and had two daughters, Elizabeth Lucille (1894-1987) and Alice Bernice (1896-1930). After his death, Idella and her daughters, who never married, moved to Peoria. William is buried with his wife Idella (1871-1947) and daughter Bernice in Lakeside Cemetery, Pekin. Following is W. B. Cooney’s obituary from the 8 March 1922 issue of the Pekin Daily Times, page 8.
W. B. COONEY PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING
W. B. Cooney, one of the city’s leading citizens and one of the most prominent lawyers of central Illinois, died this morning at 12:25 o’clock, at his home, 621 Hillyer street. He had been in failing health for several months and his condition had been critical for several days. His passing, however, came as a shock to his many friends in the city and throughout the county.
He was a son of William and Alice Mehan-Cooney and was born June 7, 1859. He had been a resident of Pekin for many years and in the practice of his chosen profession had built up an extensive and lucrative practice.
As an attorney, Mr. Cooney was an able adviser, a strong and convincing pleader and a most successful practitioner. He was city attorney of Pekin in 1889 and 1890 and during his long residence in this city has been prominently identified with the community’s interests and welfare.
His marriage was to Miss Idella Rodenbeck, who, with two daughters, Lucille and Bernice, and one brother, Richard Cooney, of Chicago, survive him. He was a member of the Tazewell County Bar association and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
