Henderson Coffey

Henderson was a son of Gilbert and Martha Simmons Coffey. He was born in August 1858 in Missouri, and married Mrs. Henrietta Press Davis c1898. She was born in March 1860 in Michigan to Henry and Eliza B. Press, both natives of England.

Gilbert was a descendant of John and Jean Graves Coffey through their son Benjamin who married Mary "Polly" Hayes. Click here to see Benjamin's descendant information.

In 1910, Henderson and Martha reported that they had each been married previous to their marriage to each other. I have not found Henderson in any previous census record outside of his parents home in the 1860 Polk Co., MO census when he was 18 months old.

The 1860 census of Clinton Co. IA enumerated the Press family with four children: Elizabeth M., born England c1854, Henry A., born England c1856; Charles, born MI c1858, and Henrietta, born MI in Mar., 1860. There is no indication when the family emigrated to the United States.

In all census records as the wife of Henderson Henrietta indicated that she was born in MI. However, in several subsequent census records the children by Henderson reported that their mother was born in IA.

Henderson and Henrietta were enumerated in Clackamas Co., OR from 1900 until 1920. Both seem to have died prior to 1930 because I have not been able to find them in that census record. In 1900 Henderson was a teamster, and in 1910 he was employed as a "splitter" at a paper mill. At age 60 in 1920, Henderson reported that he was not employed.

At least three children were born to Henderson and Henrietta: Edna, born in WA, Apr. 1891; Gilbert Thomas, born Nov. 1898 in WA, and Homer Russell, born July 20, 1900 in OR. I have been unable to find any information on Edna and Gilbert.

Homer was enumerated in the 1920 census while stationed at the US Naval Hospital at Mare Island, Vallejo, Soleano Co., CA. He had joined the US Marine Corps in Feb., 1919 and served until May 14, 1920. The 1930 census for Multnomah Co., OR found him with his wife Tera M., the daughter of Swedish emigrants. They did not have any children at that time. Homer died on Oct. 23, 1959, and was buried Oct. 28, 1959 at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR. I do not know when or where Tera died.

Please contact me if you are researching this family.