This veteran Indian fighter and miner, now a resident of Green River, Sweetwater county. Wyoming, was born in the state of Louisiana in 1820, a son of Mike and Margaret (McCannon) Cooney, the former of whom was born in Ireland, and was quite young when he came to the United States and located in Alabama, in which state he for a time followed the saloon business. From Alabama he removed to Louisiana, where he passed, the remainder of his life, dying at Baton Rouge, La. Mrs. Margaret (McCannon) Cooney was also born in Ireland, but her marriage took place in Mobile, Ala., and her death also occurred at Baton Rouge, La.

Mike Cooney, the one whose name opens this biographical record, began his active business life in St. Louis, Mo., whence he went to the state of New York, where he followed farming for three or four years, he next went to New Orleans, La., and thence on to California, where for some time he was engaged in mining, but while there he enlisted under General Lane as a volunteer against the savage and hostile Indians on Rogue River, and for one year and ten months he fought the red skins with coolness, determination and unflinching courage.

For thirty-three years Mr. Cooney followed the laborious and precarious work of mining, principally in California, but he also spent two years in Australia with fair success. He came back to America and mined in the Comstock lode in Nevada for eight or ten years with very gratifying results. He next went to the Black Hills, where he remained two years, and then came to Wyoming and here for six years followed the trade of mason at Rock Springs, and then came to Green River, where he still resides.

In politics Mr. Cooney is a Republican and while a resident of California, in 1858, served as a deputy sheriff. In 1860 he was elected to the Nevada Legislature and served two years, and he was a justice of the peace at Washoe for another period of two years. Mr. Cooney has never married but, outside of matrimony, he has experienced a varied and venturesome life, as will be seen by the foregoing record. Although now over fourscore years of age, he is still quite hale and hearty, and many years of enjoyable life appear to be held in store for him. He has lived temperately and honestly, for his promise, once made, has never been violated. He enjoys the warm friendship of a host of friends, who admire him for his strict integrity and respect him for "the dangers he has passed through." He is still a useful member of society; being broad-minded, charitable and generous, his extensive experience shutting out such narrow views as exist in the careless minds of less traveled citizens. His bearing through life is well worthy imitation by the rising generation and when the end shall come, as it must in the due course of nature, no man in the state will be more sincerely mourned.

This well-known gentleman is one of Wyoming's honored pioneers, having been actively identified with the industrial history of the Great West from 1867. He is an American by adoption, being a native of England where his birth occurred in 1827. His father John Brookman, was a blacksmith for the greater part of his life residing in the city of Newport, England, where he enjoyed the reputation of an able and skillful mechanic. The mother died when David was two years old after which he lived with a sister, Mrs. Griffins, for some years, later making his home with an aunt, also a Mrs. Griffins. When still young he began to learn black-smithing, in which he soon acquired more than ordinary efficiency and skill, working at his trade in various places and carefully husbanding his earnings with the thought of emigrating to the United States, of which country he had read much and heard many favorable reports, and in 1849 he took passage on a vessel bound for the New World and in due time reached his destination, where he entered upon a new career under conditions radically different from those of England.

Being master of an honorable and useful calling, from the time of his arrival until 1861 he worked at his trade in Pennsylvania. When the Civil War occurred Mr. Brookman was one of the first young men of the place of his residence to tender his services to the government, enlisting in 1861 in Co. D, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of war for three years and three months, taking part in the noted campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, demonstrating his loyalty to the flag of his adopted country in some of the bloodiest battles known to history, prominent among them being the great battle of Gettysburg, where his hearing was permanently impaired. In all the trying scenes through which he passed he never shirked a responsibility, however onerous, nor shrank from duty even though its performance were attended by danger and the immediate prospect of death.

At the close of the war Mr. Brookman returned to Pennsylvania and engaged in mining until about 1867, when he came to Wyoming. The year following his arrival he passed in Carbon and then changed his abode to Rock Springs, with the industrial growth and development of which he was for many years actively identified. He has been largely interested in mining and was one of the pioneers of this industry in Sweetwater county. He has seen the industry grow from an insignificant beginning to its present mammoth proportions and not only has he been a witness of the remarkable development but he has been largely instrumental in bringing about the results which have made this part of Wyoming foremost among the rich mining regions of the west. In all material improvements which have marked the last quarter century of the county's growth, he has left the impress of his strong individuality upon public and private institutions as well as upon the industrial developments. In a large measure he has paved the way that others might follow, having been a pioneer in many avenues, as well as an early settler.

For a number of years Mr. Brookman took a lively interest in politics and was one of the Republican leaders in Rock Springs and Sweetwater county, but has never been an aspirant for political honors, although called from time to time to local offices in which his course was marked by duty ably and conscientiously discharged. Since 1898 he has been living in honorable retirement, enjoying the fruits of his many years of honest toil.

His home in Rock Springs is presided over by an amiable wife and devoted helpmate to whom he was united in wedlock in 1894. Mrs. Brookman's maiden name was Elizabeth Buchanan; she is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hazleton) Buchanan, natives of Ireland and at the time of her marriage to Mr. Brookman she was the widow of Robert Harvey, who departed this life in the Emerald Isle in 1890.

.Philemon E. Du Sault, county clerk of Sweetwater county, Wyoming, was born in 1866 at Three Rivers in the province of Quebec, Canada, a son of Remi and Anna (Lottinville) Du Sault. Remi Du Sault, also a native of Three Rivers, was a farmer until 1867, when he was appointed to a position in the Royal Mail service, which he still retains at the age of sixty-one, making his residence at Montreal. His wife was born at Riviere du Loup, now Louiseville, Canada, but died when her son Philemon was but five years old. Her parents were reared in the Catholic church, but her father left that communion and followed Rev. Chiniquy, who emigrated and founded a colony at Bourbonnais, ILL., and removing his family to that place he there passed the remainder of his life.

Philemon Du Sault received his education in the schools of Quebec, Canada, and when he was eighteen years of age removed to St. Anne, ILL., but only remained there two or three months, then went to Chicago for a short time, from there to Aberdeen, S. D., at which place he "went broke," but nothing daunted he tramped nearly five hundred miles across the plains to Buffalo, Wyo., and when he reached the town sat on the steps of the First National Bank of Buffalo, Wyo., to rest. While sitting there he was approached by L. H. Parker, foreman of a large cattle ranch, who inquired into his condition, gave him employment and advanced funds for his immediate necessities. Mr. Du Sault began work for him on July 4, 1886, and remained in his employ three years. He then removed to Green River and engaged with the Union Pacific Railroad as a clerk, and continuing in that service until 1894, when he accepted a place in the clerical department of the Rock Springs Coal Co. In 1895 this company was absorbed by the Sweetwater Mining Co., for which Mr. Du Sault acted as traveling salesman for two or three years and then again went into the employ of the Union Pacific, remaining with that company until he assumed the duties of county clerk of Sweetwater county in 1899, an office he still holds and in which his services have been of material advantage to the county and have been highly appreciated. In fraternal relations Mr. Du Sault is identified with the Masonic order, holding membership in the lodge at Rock Springs, the chapter and commandery at Green River and the mystic shrine at Rawlins.

On June 20, 1894, he was joined in marriage with Miss Annie Jones, a native of Franklin, Idaho, and a daughter of Daniel and Minnie (Clarkson) Jones, natives of Wales. Her father died in 1900, and was buried at Rock Springs, where his widow still lives and where the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Du Sault was solemnized. They have one child, Donald Dudley Du Sault, whose presence adds sunshine to their pleasant home.

The subject of this sketch has figured prominently in the history of Wyoming during the last quarter of the century and is well entitled to notice among the state’s enterprising men of affairs. He is a native of England and the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Iredale. The father was born in the city of Carlisle and the mother in County Cumberland. By occupation Joseph Iredale was a farmer and as such accumulated a competence. He was a man of broad intelligencc, an active politician and for a number of years was a conspicuous figure of the Liberal party of the community where he lived. He never left the land of his birth, dying in County Cumberland in 1870 at the age of sixty-six. His wife survived him until 1898, at which time she entered into her eternal rest, having reached the ripe old age of eighty-two years. Joseph Iredale, father of the above Joseph, was a distinguished soldier in the British army and lost his life in the East Indian mutiny. John Iredale was born in County Cumberland in 1839, and, at the tender age of nine years began earning money by working in the coal mines. He received a fair education in the schools of his native place and, after following mining for some years, he entered upon an apprenticeship to engineering. By diligent application under the direction of competent instructors, he soon mastered the technique and principles, in due time becoming proficient in every detail of the profession. When his ability became recognized, he was employed in various kinds of engineering in his native country, and while still a young man acquired much more than local repute where work involving skill was required. Mr. Iredale followed his profession in England until 1874,at which time he came to the United States and settled in Ohio where he continued civil engineering during the ensuing thirteen years. At theexpiration of that time he went to Iowa, then nine months later to Colorado, where he re-mained for eighteen months, devoting the time to professional labor. About twenty-six years ago Mr. Iredale came to Rock Springs and has made his home in this city ever since, using his time and services as an engineer for which skilled talent there has always been great demand. As an expert in mining he was especially valuable and so long as he was physically able to dis-charge his duties, there were more demands for his services than he could meet. He continued employed uninterruptedly until about 1899. when he decided to forego further activity in the line of professional work and retire to private life. Having always led a strenuous life, he soon found idleness hanging heavily upon his hands, accordingly he asked for and secured the appointment of janitor of the city building, the duties of which he has since discharged. In 1897 Mr. Iredale was appointed by the governor the superintendent of Irrigation District No. 4, and he continues to look after the duties incident thereto in connection to his regular employment. For eight years he has been a member of the Governor’s personal staff, in which capacity he keeps in close touch with the leading state officials, among whom he is held in high esteem. Mr. Iredale has long been prominent in public affairs, both local and state, and is a factor of no inconsiderable consequence in matters pertaining to Rock Springs and Sweetwater county. His long residence in this section of the state, as well ashis professional labors throughout the country, have brought him in contact with all classes of people, and his wide and varied acquaintance has ripened into many warm and loyal friendships. Like the majority of enterprising men he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has risen to prominent station in the brotherhood; he also belongs to the Independent Order of Red Men and to the Odd Fellows, having been honored by both societies with important official positions. In 1856 Mr. Iredale was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Cooper, a daughter of Archibald Cooper, an engineer and machinist. who came from Scotland to the United States in 1872. settled in Ohio and lived there until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Iredale has been blessed with ten children, Joseph. Archibald, James, John, William, Garfield. Elizabeth. Annie, Helen and Mary. Archibald, the second son. died from injuries received in an accident about eighteen years ago, while in the discharge of his duties as a railroad conductor.

.The present popular county treasurer of Sweetwater county, William Rogers, was born in South Wales in 1862, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Jones) Rogers, the former of whom was also born in Wales in 1839, was a miner by calling and came to the United States with a portion of his family in 1869, settled in Bevier, Macon county, Missouri, and there lost his life by accident in 1878 while working in the mines, he being then but thirty-nine years of age. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was highly esteemed by his brethren as well as by his fellow workmen, and his loss was deeply deplored by them. Mrs. Mary (Jones) Rogers was born, reared and married in Wales, and is still living in Bevier, Mo.

William Rogers came to America in 1871 and located in Macon county. Mo., where he engaged in mining and merchandising until 1890, when he came to Rock Springs, Wyo., and worked at mining until 1902, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the county treasurership of Sweetwater county, and from that time he has filled the office with ability and to the acceptation of all. In politics he is a Republican, and in his fraternal relations an Odd Fellow.

Mr. Rogers was united in matrimony in 1887 in Bevier, Mo., with Miss Bella Pierce, also a native of Wales and a daughter of Samuel C. and Sarah (Wright) Pierce, and this marriage has been blessed with three children, Eva, Thomas and Sarah.

For five years Mr. Rogers was a member of the public school board of trustees in Rock Springs, and during the whole of this period was the clerk of the board. He is a very quiet, frank and pleasant gentleman, who finds friends wherever he may happen to live. He possesses an immense amount of energy and has done his full share in the development of Wyoming, having commenced his labors in this respect when the present state had but a territorial existence, and has witnessed its development into one of the strong and important members of the National Union in the West. In this development he has been an important factor, and it may be stated that to such men as he is due the growth of the nation. To his personal abilities alone is due his success in life, and it may be added that the West was largely conducive to his success, inasmuch as his energy met here with keener appreciation, for men of his caliber are less obstructed here in their business careers than in the over-crowded regions of the East, but it must also be said that a man of his intelligence and accomplishments would reach prominence in any country or place where Providence saw fit to locate him. He is a valuable acquisition to any community in which he lives.

Archibald Blair was born at Rothesay, Scotland, Nov. 15, 1835. Rothesay is situated on the little island of Bute. 42 miles from Glasgow. He came with his parents to Montreal. Canada, at the age of nine years and grew to manhood in the Domlnion. Hearing tales of the great gold fields of California he decided to seek his fortune in that new El Dorado and he left Canada on April 16 th. 1860, on tlie long journey. He went to Aspinwall and from there crossed the Isthmus of Panama to Panama, where he took the good shlp "Golden Gate" for San Francisco, arriving there May 8th From Sun Francisco he went to Centrevllle. Calif., where the first gold had been discovered In 1848. Later he Joined his brother in Sierra countv where he took up a claim near Donnervllle and engaged in mining. In 1868 ho went to Portland and from Portland to Idaho, where he purchas ed a claim which he worked for over two years. netting a nice fortune. In the spring of 1865. In company with his brother, he started for Wyoming arriving In the Star Valley on the first day of May. From Star Valley he went to South Pass where he took out the first gold mined In this state on the 14th day of June 1865. This gold was mined under great hardships. Nails and hoards were un heard of in that section at that time and the sluices were made of split pine logs. It was necessary to strip the dirt down to pay gravel and then carry the gravel one half mile to the nearest water, in Willow Creek to wash it. The Indians were also very troublesome through that country at the time. He prospected through the upper Green River country, finding many evidences of gold, but all too fine to mine profitably. He left Green River traveling over the California trail to, Salt Lake City for supplies, after which he did considerable trading with the Indians, especially at Three Crossings on the Sweetwater. In 1866 the Indians became so troublesome that the settlers were forced to leave the Sweetwater country and in company with his brother, Duncan Blair, he came to Rock Springs. At this time the Wells-Fargo people had a station of the Pony Express at Rock Springs, keeping a man in charge of the station. It was located at what is now known as No. 6, and was the only settlement here. Mr Blair and his brother built themselves a house nearby, which was the first home built In Rock Springs. Mr. Blair soon saw the evidence of coal on every side and to him be longs the credit of opening what It today the greatest industry of this section-coal mining. The first coal mined In Rock Springs was taken out at what is now known as Blalrtown In 1867, and the first shipment was made to Cheyenne, after the completion of the railroad through Rock Springs in the fall of 1868. For the first three years this mine supplied, the coal used by the Union Pacific railroad and established the reputation for Rock Springs coal through out the west. Mr Blair was also the pioneer ranchman of this section, as he filed on his ranch In what is known at the Circle-about twenty miles south ol Rock Springs. In 1867. On this ranch cattle and sheep were raised sucessfully in the early days. In 1869 Mr Blair made a visit to his old home In Canada, where on April 11th. 1670 he was married In Miss Jane McReady. who returned with him to Rock Springs where they have since made their home One daughter, now Mrs John W, Hay, wae born to them and has lived here almost her entire life. Mr. Blair was a member of the leg-islature. In territorial days and was influential in the task of gaining statehood for Wyoming. He has al ways been active in doing his part toward the building of the town and county. He remembers the day when elk. antelope and buffalo roamed these hills by the thousand, and ho enjoyed hunting, fishing and olher recreations of the pioneer with the same spirit that he showed in enduring the hard ships encountered. (As given to the Rock Springs Miner on his 80th Birthday)