Salathiel "Sales" & Eva Phylena Conner Coffey

Salathiel "Sales" Coffey & wife Eva Phylena Conner

"Sales" Coffee was born Dec. 13, 1876 in Collin Co., TX to William Stanley and Sarah Elizabeth Lucas Coffey.

While many others in this family often spelled their surname Coffee. Except for the photo below, he seems to have always been a Coffey.

His father, was a Kentuckian, born there on Jul. 9, 1842.  He rode to Texas with his father and the rest of their family in 1855.  They settled in the area around Allen, in Collin Co. William married Sarah Lucas, a sister to Gabe Lucas, a colonel in the CSA.  William fought with the CSA for the duration and was wounded three times.  

Like others of the time and place, William was a farmer.  However, when he was around 55 years old in 1897, he was elected sheriff of Collin Co. and maintained the peace in that county for the next three years. His wife having died around 1900 may have been the reason he didn't pursue being a lawman again.   In 1910 and 1920 he lived with Silas Walker in Collin county and died there on Jun. 23, 1922 of chronic heart disease. Silas' wife, Alwilda Davis Coffey was his sister.

It was this William Coffey and his brothers that I wrote about some time back, recognizing that he, brother Z. T. and Mint W. all died within 72-hours of each other.

Newsprint Photo

Sales was the seventh of 10 children born to William and Sarah Lucas Coffey and, in 1900, he married Eva Phylena Conner, a daughter of Julius Augustus and Mary Hinman Conner.  Eva was born Mar. 15, 1881 in Sulphur Springs, Hopkins Co., TX and died in Amarillo on Dec. 21, 1945. The above photo is believed to have been taken in 1937 at one of the annual Coffee Family reunions held in Texas unto today. The photo to the left accompanied his obituary.

Many of the ancestors of the Coffey/Coffee families that attend were natives of Logan and Russell counties in KY while many of their ancestors came from Wilkes Co. in North Carolina.

Most of those who attend the annual gathering in Texas are descendants of James Coffey and his wife, Elizabeth "Betsy" Coffey Coffey. James is thought to be descended from Joel and Martha Stepp Coffey, a son of the still mythical Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey. Elizabeth is thought to be a daughter of Nathan and Mary Saunders Coffey. Nathan is said to be a brother of Joel,

Sales descended from Chesley through his son Salathiel through Elias who married Mary Coffey, another daughter of Nathan and Mary Saunders. Their son, also named Salathiel, married Nancy Dunbar. and their son was William Stanley Coffey.

Sales had been a deputy sheriff in Cottle and in Briscoe counties in Texas. He had also been a police officer in Amarillo where he had been assigned to several jobs, including desk sergeant, a plain clothes officer and a "night scout car" officer. When he died on Dec. 27, 1944 he had been residing in Amarillo for 18 years. A news item announcing his death recorded that he had moved to Amarillo from Silverton, TX and had been in the insurance business for the four years preceding his death. Sales was also a veteran of the Spanish-American War.

He was survived by his wife and three daughters: Mrs. Walter L. Bain of Phillips, TX; Mrs. Fred Trees of Houston and Mrs. E. T. Gilkerson of Fresno, CA. Will, his only surviving son was serving in the US Navy at the time. Two other sons, Elmer and Amos had died as youngsters.

He was buried on Dec. 30 at the Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, just across the county line in Randall county. Eva followed him to the grave almost one year to the later, on Dec. 21, 1945. She was also buried at Llano.

A "Three Brothers" Tale

Salathial "Sail" Coffey, a son of Elias "Eli" and Mary "Polly" Coffey Coffey, was the father of 10 children by two wives.

His first wife was Nancy Dunbar to whom he was married in Russell Co., KY on Aug. 20, 1835.

To that union were born seven children, including William Stanley in 1842; Milton Wolford "Mint" in 1846; and Zachariah Taylor "Taylor" in 1848, all in Russell Co., KY.  William Stanley was sheriff of Collin Co., TX from 1897-98. 

Nancy died in KY in 1853 and Sail married a second time; this time to Mary Ann McFarland, the widow of Houston R. Ballew, on May 10, 1854 in Russell Co.  Three children were born to that union including another son, Sterling Price in Collin Co., TX in 1862.

The oddity of all this concerns the deaths of William, Milton and Taylor.

Taylor, age 73, died at Forest Grove, TX on June 21, 1922

William, age 79, died at McKinney, Collin Co. on June 23, 1922

Milton, age 76, died in Carter Co., OK on June 24, 1922

Sterling did not die until Sept., 1944 in Collin Co.

William Stanley Coffey

William Stanley Coffey, a son of Salathial "Sail" Coffey and wife Nancy Dunbar, is thought to be a descendant of the mythical Chesley and said wife Jane Cleveland.  William was born in Russell Co., KY on Jul. 9, 1842 and died in McKinney, Collin Co., TX on Jun. 23, 1922.

William and Sarah Elizabeth Lucas were married on Feb. 27, 1866 in Collin Co., TX where most, if not all of their 10 children were born.  Sarah was the daughter of Peter and Mary E. Lucas.

Their children were:

+ Dr. John Cicero Coffey, born Jan. 6, 1867, died Apr. , 1954 in Wichita Co., TX.  His death was caused by chronic myocarditis at the Wichita Falls State Hospital.  I have not found his burial site.  He married Gabriella "Ella" Coffey in Grayson Co., TX on Oct. 28, 1895.  Gabriella was the daughter of Matthew Slaughter Coffey and his wife Virginia Texana "Jennie" Butridge.  Matthew and William Stanley were very distant cousins.  Matthew is a known descendant of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.  Dr. Coffey and Ella were parents of one know child, a daughter named Ruth, born Aug. 5, 1897, died Jan., 1984 in Amarillo.  Ruth married Roy Raymond Hunter in Texas c1929.  He was born Apr. 11, 1894 in that state and died in Amarillo on Aug. 4, 1975.  Their children were Virginia, John C., Mary L. and Roy Raymond, Jr.

+ Robert Henry Coffey, born Oct. 8, 1868, died Apr. 13, 1950 in Collin Co., and was buried at Fitzhugh Cemetery in Forest Grove, Collin Co.  His wife was Minnie Mabel Biddy, a daughter of George and Edna McDonald Biddy.  She was born in TN on Jul. 2, 1873 and died in McKinney on Feb. 20, 1968.  They were married in McKinney on Dec. 18, 1892.  Their children were Clarence Milton, 1893-1949; Tressie A., 1896-1975; Hallie Elizabeth, 1899-1993; and Edgar Biddy, 1901-1967.  Minnie was buried at Fitzhugh along with Clarence and Tressie.  Hallie's burial site is yet unknown to me.  Edgar rests at Forest Grove.

+  Mary Frances "Molly" Coffey, 1869-?, married Samuel Lloyd Renfrow on Apr. 13, 1887 in Collin Co.  He was born c1876 in that county and died there on Apr. 3, 1907.  His "Report of Death" does not name his burial site.  Their children were Ethert Alford, 1887-1948; William Lloyd, 1890-?; Alberta, no dates; Edgar, 1891-?.

+ Denie Elzada Coffey, 1871-1948.  Her first husband was General Jackson Moss, no dates.  They were likely married in Collin Co. c1885±.  I know of at least two children: Sarah Leona Moss, 1889-1959 and Orlia Jackson Moss, 1891-1975.  Orlia married Ermyne Mitchell (1895-1974).  both are buried at Cottage Hill Cemetery at Celina, Collin Co.  Denie's second husband was William Dillon Goode, born 1866 in Roanoke, VA.  He died in Plano, TX in 1916; Denie at Wylie, Collin Co., in 1948.  I know of two children for them:  Clarice, born c1909 and Virginia, born c1910, both in TX.

+ Missouri B. Coffey, born 1873, died and was buried at Forest Grove.  Nothing else is know.

+ Laura Ellen Coffey, 1875-1966.  Laura married William John Ledbetter, born in TN in 1866, c1896.  He died at Paducah, Cottle Co., TX in 1932 and was buried there in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.  Laura Ellen also died in Paducah and was also buried in the Garden of Memories.  Their children were Horace Chilton, 1897-1971; Aaron, 1898-?; Roy Robert, 1902-?; Nila Erona, 1905-?; Ruth Ellen, 1909-? and Mary Elizabeth, 1911-?

+ Salathiel "Sales" Coffey, 1896-1944.  He married Eva Phylena Conner on Dec. 19, 1900 in Collin Co.  She was born in 1881 at Sulphur Springs in Hopkins Co., TX and died Dec. 21, 1945 in Amarillo.  Both are buried at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo.  Their children were Elmer, 1901-1906; Leona Meda, 1905-?; Laura Ella, 1908, married Arlie Colley Swint c1926.  He was born in TX in 1907 and died in Wichita Falls in 1980 and was buried at Rosemont Cemetery in Wichita Falls.  Laura's death date and place of burial is unknown to me.  Following Laura was Frances Lorene, 1915-?; Willis L., 1917-? and Amos B., 1920-1926.  He is also buried at Llano.

+ Alwilda Davis Coffey, born 1878, died 1968 in McKinney.  She married Silas Earl Walker on Dec. 5, 1899.  He was born in 1875 and died in 1926.  Both are buried at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney.  Their children were Jessie Lois, 1901-?; Silas, Jr., 1905-? and Vernon Coffey, 1908-?.

+ Charles Milton Coffey, 1880 to 1918.  He is thought to have died unmarried and buried at Fitzhugh Cemetery.

+ Homer Lucas Coffey, born 1882, died 1958 at McKinney.  He married Lela Mae Holder in 1902.  She was born in TX in 1884 and died in McKinney in 1930.  In 1940 Homer married Mrs. Lizzie E. Short.  I have no other information on Lizzie.  There was at least one child born to Homer and Lela, a daughter named Sarah Elizabeth in 1906.  No other information.

Please e-mail additions and/or corrections to me at the address provided on the right.

Salathiel (Sail or Sale) Coffey (1812KY - 1892TX)

Back on Feb. 6, 2006 I wrote a short blog on Salathiel. It was mostly information - a copy, really - about him from the Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas, Illustrated. Since that time, I have compiled much more information for his family than I have time to include here. Needless to say, Ill share the info with anyone who needs it.

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Salathiel was born Apr. 20, 1812 in Logan Co., KY and died on May 29, 1892 in Collin Co., TX.  He was buried at Forest Grove cemetery in Collin Co. His first wife was Nancy Dunbar of Russell Co., KY, born c1809, died May 29, 1892 in Collin Co.  I am not sure where Nancy is buried, but most likely she is also in Forest Grove.

[My understanding is the Forest Grove and Fitzhugh cemeteries are considered one cemetery now?  Anyone know for sure?]

With wife Nancy, Sail/Sale Coffey fathered at least seven children:

First - Lettitia, born Oct. 15, 1838 in Wayne Co., KY.  She married Thomas Jefferson Reagan who was born c1838 in Missouri.  Both Lettitia and Thomas died before August., 1869. To them were born three children:  Lettitia Ellen, born c1858, George Washington, born c1859 and Mary Catherine, dob unknown.  Lettitia and Mary were mentioned in a petition brought before the August 1869 term of a court in Collin Co., TX wherein "Sayles Coffey" sought to and become guardian of "Lentittia and Mary Catherine Regan", both "orphans and minors under the age of 14 years and living in Collin County..."  The two girls were found living with Martin Watson, relationship yet unknown, in McKinney, Collin Co., in the 1870 census.

Second - Mary Ann "Polly Ann", born Jun. 22, 1840, died Jan. 7, 1918 in McKinney.  Polly married Elder John Meyers McKinney, born Apr. 14, 1832 in MO, died Jan 1, 1918 in McKinney.  Both are buried in Forest Grove/Fitzhugh.  Their children were 1)J. D., born Oct. 5, 1859, died Aug. 8, 1925 in McKinney.  He is buried at Pecan Grove cemetery in McKinney; 2)Giles Lee, born Aug. 25, 1866, died Jun. 1, 1959 in McKinney.  Giles married Mary Mathews, born Jun., 1866 in Wood Co., TX.  Their children were Ettie, born 184; Cecil, born 1893 and Eustace, born 1898.  3)John S., born 1868, died 1954; and 4) Wiley Benton, born 1870, died 1954.  Wiley married Lula A. Klepper c1900 in McKinney and fathered Collin, born 1902, died 1918 and Juanita, born c1904.

Third - William Stanley, born 1842 in Russell Co., KY, died 1922 in McKinney.  He married Sarah Elisabeth Lucas on Feb. 27, 1866 in McKinney.  She was born Aug. 27, 1847 in TX and died Mar. 7, 1892.  They too are buried at Forest Grove/Fitzhugh.  William and Sarah had at least 10 children:

1 - Dr. John Cicero, born Jan. 6, 1867 in McKinney, died Apr. 7, 1954 in Wichita Co., TX.  Dr. John married Gabriella "Ella" Coffey, a daughter of Matthew Slaughter and Virginia Texana Butridge Coffey.  These two Coffey families were not related.  John descended from Edward while Matthew Slaughter descended from Peter.*  John and Ella had only one child, Ruth, born Aug. 5, 1897, married Roy Raymond Hunter of TX c1929.  They had a child, Virginia, born c1930 in Knox Co., TX.  Sarah Lucas Coffey is buried at Fitzhugh.  William's burial place has not been located but, he too is likely at Fitzhugh.

2 - Robert Henry, born Oct., 1868 in Collin Co. and died Apr. 13, 1950.  He married Minnie Mabel Biddy on Dec. 18, 1892 in McKinney.  She was born Sep., 1874 in TN and died Feb. 20, 1968 in Collin Co.  Robert is at Fitzhugh where Minnie is also likely to have been buried.  Their children were:  1) Clarence Milton, born Nov. 5, 1893, died Feb. 26, 1949 in Wylie, Collin Co.  He married Ola Ellen Leake on Aug. 3, 1913 in Collin Co.  She was born there on Nov. 24, 1893.  Clarence is buried at Forest Grove; Ora's death date and burial place is not yet known.  They are known to have had at least two children: Marcella Ann, born 1915 and Alma Christine, born 1919, both in Collin Co. 2) Tressie Alma, born Oct., 1896, died May 27, 1995 in Collin Co.  She married Virgil Robert Osborn Oct. 9, 1912.  His birth date is not yet known; he died May 29, 1997 in Collin Co.  They had at least two children:  Willis, born c1914 and Vernon, born c1916. 3) Hallie Elizabeth, born May, 1899, died Jun. 3, 1993 in Collin Co.  She married Roy Lee Biggs on Jan. 18, 1920 in Collin Co.  Their children were Elizabeth and Billie Jean.  4) Edgar Biddy, born Aug. 1901, died Jul. 31, 1967 in Collin Co.  His wife was Lucille.

3 - Mary Frances "Molly," born Dec. 16, 1869, died Jan. 2, 1892.  She married Samuel Lloyd Renfrow on Apr. 13, 1887 in Collin Co.  He was born there c1876 and died in McKinney on Apr. 3, 1907.  Their children were: Ethert Alford, born 1887; William Lloyd, born 1890; Alberta; and Edgar, born 1891.

4 - Denie Elzada, born Nov. 17, 1871 in Lucas, Collin Co., died Jun. 14, 1948 in Wylie.  She married first to General Jackson "Jack" Moss.  His birth and death dates are not yet known.  Their children were Sarah Leona, born Jun. 27, 1889, died Nov. 11, 1959 in Wylie, and Orlia Jackson, born Nov. 27, 1891 in Lucas, died Mar. 20, 1975 in Lubbock.  Denie's second husband was William Dillon Goode with whom she had at least two more daughters, Clarice Lora, born 1908 and Virginia Belle, born 1910.

5 - Missouri B., born Aug. 14, 1873, died Mar. 7, 1875.

6 - Laura Ellen, born Mar. 7, 1875, died Feb. 12, 1966 in Paducah, Cottle Co., TX.  Laura married William Johnson Ledbetter c1896.  He was born Jul. 3, 1866 in TN, died Feb. 17, 1932 in Paducah.  Their children were: Horace, Aaron, Roy Robert; Nila Erona; Ruth Ellen; and Mary Elizabeth.

7 - Salathiel "Sales", born Dec. 13, 1876 in Collin Co., died Dec. 17, 2944 in Amarillo, Potter Co., TX.  Sales married Eva Phylena Conner, a daughter of Julius and Mary Hinman Conner on Dec. 19, 1900.  She was born Mar. 15, 1880 in Hopkins Co., TX and died Dec. 21, 1945 in Amarillo.  Their children were: Leona, born 1905; Laura Ella, born 1908; Frances Lorene, born 1915 and Willis, born 1917.  Laura married Arlie Collie Swint c1926 and had children: J. Ronald, born 1928 and Irma Glyn, born 1931.

8 - Alwilda Davis, born Jul. 31, 1878 in Collin Co., died in McKinney on Jan. 11, 1968.  She married Silas Earl Walker on Dec. 5, 1899.  He was born Sep. 6, 1875 to J. F. and Martha Williams Walker and died Apr. 3, 1926 in McKinney.  Their children were Jessie Lois, born 1901; Silas Earl, Jr., born 1905; and Vernon Coffey, born 1908.

9 - Charles Milton, born Aug. 18, 1880, died Oct. 6, 1918 in McKinney.

10 - Homer Lucas, born Aug. 14, 1882, died Feb. 11, 1958 in McKinney.  He married Lela Mae Holder, daughter of W. A. and Elizabeth Johnson Holder in Nov., 1902.  She was born Feb. 1884 in TX and died Feb. 15, 1939 in McKinney.  They had at least one child, Sarah Elizabeth, born Jul. 16, 1906.  Homer and Lela are buried at Johnson Cemetery in Collin Co.

More later!



*We know through DNA testing that Edward and Peter were some kin to one another but so far back in their ancestry that the kinship was extremely diluted.




No. 992