Francis M. Coffey Mustered Out

The oldest resident of Soldier, F. M. Coffey, passed away Sunday, January 13, 1933. He was almost ninety-three years of age. Until a fall he had five weeks ago, he was in remarkable good health for one of his age. Three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Coffey moved from Havensville to Soldier. Mr. Coffey was born at Jamestown, Kentucky, March 27, 1840. He was married May 26, 1865 at Stanford, Kentucky to Parmelia Jane Hughes, so this aged couple were in the sixty-eighth year of their companionship.

They were parents of ten children who are:

Charles H. Coffey of Hutchinson, Kansas
Annie C. Fisher of Florence, Kansas
Minnie E. Clapperton of Los Angeles, California
Margaret Differu of Vallejo, California
Francis T. Coffey of Los Angeles, California
Mary A. Achenbach of Soldier, Kansas
James G. Coffey of Leavenworth, Kansas
Arthur K. Coffey of Leavenworth, Kansas
Pearle D. Titsworth of Kansas City, Missouri
Belle Huffman who preceded her father in death

Mr. Coffey was a veteran of the Civil War, a Union Soldier of the 19th Kentucky Infantry, Co., I. He served three years and six months, was engaged in thirteen battles, among which were Bull Run, Shiloh, Vicksburg. He could tell many thrilling experiences of the war. Two brothers were with him in the service.

He came to Kansas in 1880, locating first at Peabody, then living successively at Florence, Holton, America City, Havensville, and Soldier. He was a good husband and father, a friend and neighbor, a brave soldier and a Christian. He united with the Baptist Church at young manhood. He was a member of the Christian Church at Havensville and then at Soldier. He passed away with full confidence of the Christian faith and hope. Besides his wife and children he is survived by thirty-seven grandchildren, forty great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

The funeral was held in the Soldier Christian Church January 17th, the pastor Rev. Mayfield speaking; Rev. Station assisting. Fred Armstrong and John Whistler of America City, singers who Mr. Coffey liked so much to hear, provided the music. Confederate veteran, R. R. Brooks, caring [carrying] the G.A.R.'s American flag, funeral service, firing the salute and sounding Taps at the grave in Soldier Cemetery.

And so was laid to rest the last of the Union Veterans of the town of Soldier, Kansas. His surviving comrade of this community is P. H. Reed, who was not able to attend the service.



[Source: Coffey Cousins' Clearinghouse Newsletter, Sep., 1992, No. 48, pp18-19; Francis Marion Coffey was the son of James and Martha "Patsy" Tucker Coffey]