Joseph Coffey, Jr.

Joseph Coffey Jr., cashier of the Bank of Columbia, was born in Christian County Kentucky 6 Jan 1833, the youngest of twelve children born to Joseph Sr. and Jane (Graves) Coffey, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Fayette County Kentucky, and of French and English descent, respectively. Joseph Coffey Sr. was born in 1784 and while a young man immigrated to KY, settling first in what is now Russell County, where he married and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1831, when he moved to Christian County and bought wild land and improved a farm on which he resided until his death in March, 1834. He was a veteran of the War Of 1812 and he and wife were life-long members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Jane Coffey departed this life in June 1861 in her seventy-first year. Her father, Thomas Graves, was a native of Virginia and in early manhood immigrated to Kentucky, first settling near Lexington, in Fayette County, where he improved a farm and remained for several years. Later, however, he moved to Russell County where he resided until his death. He served as courier for Washington during the entire Revolutionary struggle.

Joseph Coffey Jr., at the age of seventeen, left the home farm and settled in Columbia where he accepted a position in a general store, continuing in the mercantile business as salesman and on his own account until 1871. In 1872 he accepted a position as clerk and assistant cashier in the Bank of Columbia and in 1880 was elected cashier of the same, which position he still holds. Mr. Coffey has been twice married; first 27 Sept 1859 to Miss Mary E., daughter of James V. and Elizabeth (Lankford) Warden. She was born in Monticello, Wayne County Kentucky 9 Aug 1842 and died at her home in Columbia 23 Nov 1861. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Coffey next married, 20 Jan 1863, Miss Virginia R. Page, a native of Adair County, born 16 June 1843. She is a daughter of W. W. and Sophia (Brawner) Page, both natives of VA. Seven children have blessed this union as follows: Henry R. (deceased), William A., John B., Robert G., George, Sophia and Joseph. Mrs. Coffey is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Coffey politically is independent and belongs to no church or secret order.

Sources:

Kentucky - A History of the State, W. H. Perrin, J. H. Battle, and G. C. Kniffen, 4th ed., 1887

Wayne County Marriage Records, 1801-1860 Married 27 September 1859; ministers name missing; Groom lives in Columbia, Ky., first marriage; bride is of Monticello, age 18, her first marriage, born in Monticello, Surety, James M. Saufly

Coffey Cousins' Clearinghouse newsletter, March, 1992

Marriage Returns, Cumberland Co., [Ky] 1799-1817

Kirk Smith, Ballwin, MO [Joseph married Jane in Cumberland Co., KY on 29 Sep. 1808. Jane is the daughter of Thomas Graves and Mary Chilton. Joseph is possibly a son of Joel and Martha Stepp Coffey. Children: Joseph Jr., James Madison; Elzey; Robert T.; Nancy; Asa; Juliza; Lucy; Barilla; Benjamin; 2 others of unknown name]

[I have no other information on this family, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has researched this line]