Alva Dow Cooksey
b. 30 July 1899, Atkinsonville, Owen County, Indiana, to Samuel Lewis and Mary Cynthia (Criss) Cooksey
d. 25 November 1938, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois
m/1. 1 February 1919, Tuscola, Douglas County, Illinois
Virgie Jewel Pate
b. 13 June 1900, Fort Ritner, Lawrence County, Indiana, to Rev. Virgil and Clara Isis (Allen) Pate
d. 25 November 1987, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois
Children with Virgie Jewel Pate:
- Clara Cynthia (1919-1961) married Elmer O. Long
- Geneva Darlene (1922-1984) married Charles Raymond Cade
- Margaret Evelyn (1925-1979) married Albert Elvin Crothers
- Dorothy Fern (1928-2003) married Charles Wayne Cox
- Dow Junior (b. 1930)
- Hubert Paul (twin, 1934-1956)
- Hugh Pate (twin, 1934-1934)
The Cooksey family came to Owen County, Indiana from Montgomery County, Virginia, in 1832. They lived at Atkinsonville, Patricksburg, and Vandalia, all in Owen County. About 1915, Samuel Cooksey and family moved to Newman, Douglas County, Illinois. In 1935, Alva Dow, Virgie, and family moved to Hoopeston, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Alva Dow was a successful farmer at Newman, Illinois, until the great depression. After moving to Hoopeston, Illinois, he developed diabetes and attendant health problems. Beginning to lose his sight, he began making brooms, a trade he had learned from his father.
Submitted by:
Dow Junior Cooksey
Danville IL
E-mail: dcooksey@insightbb.com