Dr. Daniel F. and Viola A. Cooledge Appear at United Church

On Sunday, April 15, Dr. Daniel and Viola Cooledge visited the United Church of Ludlow to invite all present to join them at the church’s public Birthday Party May 5th and 6th.

Daniel was born in Ludlow in 1839. He matriculated in Black River Academy in 1858 but interrupted his studies to volunteer for the Civil War, where he was wounded, taken prisoner, and exchanged. He returned to B. R. A. and met Miss Alice Viola Marsh born in Plymouth in 1847. Viola said they fell in love, then Daniel began medical school at UVM, and they married in 1866. She was excited to experience New York City during his residency at Bellevue Medical. Dr. Cooledge opened a Ludlow medical practice in 1868. Later, the Cooledges opened a drug store on Main Street. Viola assisted in the store while raising five children. She became the first woman registered pharmacist in Vermont, and following her husband’s death in 1911, she managed the store herself until her death in 1934 at the age of 87. The store kept the Cooledge name for 75 years.

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The Cooledges joined the Ludlow Congregational Church in 1872, being the 406th and 407th members. While culture of the time did not accord women equal place, Viola Cooledge was a pioneer in both professional life and church activity, where she was among the first women to hold important offices. At their first Annual Meeting after joining, Viola was elected Treasurer of the Sunday School. She held that office until refusing her 48th nomination, saying, “47 years is enough!” She was elected to the small 1906 Centennial Committee planning a three day affair during which she gave a major address. She gave leadership to the Women’s Association, Music and Missionary Committees, and was a Deaconess. After Daniel’s death, when the church, which often took bank loans to pay current expenses, was about to borrow again, Viola offered a $100 loan at 4%; the church took it.

At the meeting where Viola was elected Sunday School Treasurer, Dr. Cooldege was first appointed Secretary pro tem, then elected Treasurer and Collector. In 1883 he began seven annual terms as Vice President. He was on the 1890 Building Committee that raised money and worked with Daniel and Sarah Heald, who donated the lot, architectural plans, central stained glass window, and furnishings and decoration of the Ladies Parlor for the present church building. During the building dedication exercises May 5, 1892, Dr. Cooledge presented a detailed history of the Ludlow Congregational Church. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School, then numbering 85 students, for many years and died occupying that office.

Daniel and Viola Cooledge will attend in period dress the United Church’s 220th (of founding) and 120th (of the building) Birthday Party along with other historically important church members. They will circulate, interact, and regale those present with stories about older days and events of their amazing lives. All are invited to the celebration beginning Saturday, May 5th at 3:00 pm with numerous activities followed by dinner at 5:00 and 6:00 pm. Sunday, May 6th brings Special Worship at 10:15 am and a free Ice Cream Social concluding the celebration from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

For more information contact Bob Kottkamp 802-228-6282 or [email protected],  or visit the church website at www.unitedchurch.us  or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UCLudlow.