My Genealogy Hound

HON. ORVILLE W. COOLIDGE, Judge of the Circuit Court, and one of the most influential citizens of Niles, was born in Edwardsburg, Cass County, on the 9th of October, 1839. The family of which he is a distinguished member was among the early settlers of this State and has been largely instrumental in promoting the progress of this section, having labored to secure its advancement along the lines of business and professional growth.

Among the eminent men of Michigan, the name of Judge H. H. Coolidge will be perpetuated through generations yet to come, and his memory will ever be revered as that of a noble man, talented attorney and wise judge. It would be well, before giving further attention to the biography of the son, to narrate briefly the events which gave character and distinction to the life of the father. H. H. Coolidge was born in Massachusetts, and there spent the years of his early boyhood. He was educated at Amherst College, and in 1836 he came to Michigan, and thenceforth his life was closely interwoven with the history of this State.

For many years Judge Coolidge practiced the legal profession in Berrien and Cass Counties, and his reputation as a lawyer was such that he enjoyed the entire confidence of all his fellow-citizens. In 1867 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Michigan, in which responsible position he rendered efficient service. He was elected Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit, and in that lofty place displayed the possession of abilities of no common order. After a useful and honored career, he was called from earth in 1872, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife, whose maiden name was Sara A. Mead, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and accompanied her parents to Michigan in 1837.

The subject of this biographical notice passed his youth in Cass County, where he gained a common-school education. In 1859 he entered Beloit College, at Beloit, Wis., and there pursued the studies of the classical course for two years. At the beginning of his junior year he entered the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he remained until he completed the studies of the literary course, graduating from the institution in 1863. He had resolved to become an attorney, and in order to thoroughly qualify himself for that profession he entered the law department of Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1865.

Returning to Niles, our subject formed a legal partnership with his father, and the connection continued until the death of the latter, with the exception of six years, which time the father was on the Bench. In 1870 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Berrien County and served in that position for two years. In 1890 his fellow-citizens bestowed upon him the highest office in their gift, that of Mayor, and his service in that position was so eminently satisfactory to both political parties, that in the following year he was elected to the same office without any opposition. During his term of office many municipal reforms were instituted and many much-needed improvements were made. In the spring of 1893 he was chosen Judge of the Second Judicial District, being elected on the Republican ticket over Thomas O'Tiara, the Democratic nominee. The Judge is well qualified for the successful discharge of the duties of the position, being a man of keen discrimination, large talent and judicial bent of mind.

In addition to his legal and judicial labors, the Judge served in 1892 as President of the State Savings Bank of Niles; he is also a stockholder and Director in the Citizens Bank of Niles. All measures having for their object the improvement of the city or the welfare of the citizens meet with his hearty and enthusiastic support, and no resident of Niles is more devoted to its welfare than he. His residence is one of the most beautiful in the place, being a large, substantial structure with a well-kept lawn ornamented with shade trees. This attractive home is presided over by his wife, whom he married in 1867 and who was Miss Katie, daughter of Moses Pettengill, of Niles.