Joseph, Jr. & Louvada Martin Coffey

Merry Christmas

Joseph and Louvada were married in Wayne Co., KY in 1902.  He was born there in 1886 to Joseph, Sr. and Louisa J. Jones Coffey.  She was a daughter of James and Sarah Jane Roberts Martin, born Wayne Co. in 1884.  Jr. died c1924 and she in Nov., 1945 and both are buried at the Dobbs Cemetery[1] in Coopersville, Wayne Co.

Louvada and Joseph had at least 9 children but I have only been able to locate a few of them that grew to adulthood.

Roscoe, born 1907, died 1988 at Coopersville.  Married to a lady named Ruby c1933 and had at least two children:  Geraldine, c1834 and, Velta, born c1938.  They are in the 1940 Wayne Co. census.[2]

Frank O., born Jan., 1909, married Sarah Jane Gregory, born c1911, in about 1930.  They had children Anderson, Othal, Stanley Estel and Audrey.  Frank died in 1973 and is buried at Elk Spring Cemetery in Montecello.

Joseph, born Apr., 1911, likely died young as did Elmer, born Feb., 1912 who died on Jun. 1913.  He is buried at Kidd Cemetery in McCreary Co.  Another son, Maynard, born Feb., 1914 also may have died young.  I have found no records for him.

Everett, born 1916, died in Pulaski Co. in 2007.

Inman, born c1919, died in Oct., 1965.

There appears to have been another son named Joseph, born in 1923 but I have not been able to conform that.  The last child I know of was Adina, born in 1925 for whom I have found no info.

Martin-Maher Marriage Record

Louvade had an older brother, Joseph Gilson Martin, born Jul. 2, 1875 in Wayne Co., died in Hampshie Co., MA in 1965.  Joseph left KY when he was a young man, probably in his mid-20's and joined the military.  In 1903 he was a soldier at Fort Ethan Allen in Chittenden Co., VT where he was married on June 6 of that year to Mary Agnes Maher.  They were both 27 years old.

Mary Agnes was fairly consistent in census records, telling us where he father was born.  In 1920 she reported his birth in French Canada.  In 1930 he was said to have been born in English Canada.  She was not as consistent with her mother's birth place.  In 1920 she said her mother was born in NY state and, in 1930 she told us her mother was born in VT.  We can be fairly certain that the father was Canadian and her mother was an American.  After leaving VT, the couple migrated to Northampton in Hampshire Co., MA where they lived for the remainder of their lives.  I have not however, found them in the 1910 census.

Gilson WW1 Draft (front)

Gilson WW1 Draft (rear)

They were in Northampton in Sep. 12, 1918 when Gilson Martin registered for the draft.  He made no mention of his prior service.  He was described as being tall and stout with blue eyes and "bouzs"[3] colored hair.  That year he was a cabinet maker for the Florence Furniture Co. in Florence, MA.  He and Mary lived at 18 Plymouth Ave. in Florence.

In 1920 they lived at 16 Plymouth Ave., and Joseph was a casket maker.  Mary was a spooler in a local silk mill.  In 1930 they lived at 258 West St. in Northampton and Joseph was a painting contractor while Mary was still spooling.  By 1940 they were residing at 58 Front St. in Northampton.  Mary was retired and Joseph was a laborer working on park improvements in Northampton.

Mary died in 1960 and Joseph in 1965.  Both are buried at Saint Mary Assumption Church cemetery in Haydenville, Hampshire Co., MA.  They had no children.

I feel a touch of sadness for both, but especially for Joseph.  He likely never returned to KY and probably never saw his parents or any of his siblings again.

Additions and/or corrections welcomed!

Jack

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[1]Coopersville is a "wide spot" in the road, about 8 miles SE of Monticello.  Follow KY 92 from Monticello to Coopersville.  The cemetery is behind the Canada Creek Baptist Church on KY 92.  Geo coordinates are 36° 45' 32.81" N 84° 44' 8.55" W

[2]1940 KY, Wayne Co., ED 116-8, Sheet 10B, Coopersville to Sinking road, dwelling 171, rents, $1, Coffey Roscoe, head, male, white, age 32, married, 2d grade, born KY, same place, farm labor; Ruby, wife, female, white, age 24, married, 4th grade, born KY, same place; Geraldine, dau., female, white, age 6, born KY, same place; Velta [sic], dau., female, white, age 2, born KY

[3] I have studied the card closely and it still appears to be "bouzs" colored hair.

Coleman & Rosa "Rosey" Burks Coffey

A reader recently wrote asking about the Coleman Coffey family of Wayne and McCreary Counties in KY. Until now I had not written much, if anything in my blog about Coleman.  The following represents what information I have found.

Additional information about connecting families can be found at the following links:

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2011/11/sheridan-l-sherd-sarah-sally-coffey.html

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2010/11/sheridan-l-sherd-dobbs-sarah-sally.html

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2007/11/truesdell-coffey-1941-2007.html

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Coleman was the eldest son of Henry Baker and Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs Coffey.  According to information found on his death certificate he was born Nov. 8, 1869 in KY and died in Co-operative, McCreary Co. on Oct. 26, 1948 and was buried at  Sherd Dobbs Cemetery in Stearns.

Rosa or "Rosey" was a daughter of Benjamin Richard and Rebecca Jane Vaughn Burks.  According to her death certificate, Rosa was born Apr. 30, 1875 in Wayne Co. and died in McCreary Co. on Mar. 18, 1942.  She too is buried at Sherd Dobbs Cemetery.

Info provided by others report that Coleman and Rosa were married on Mar. 1, 1891 in KY but, omits the county.  They are said to have had at least nine children, all born in Kentucky between 1892 and 1913.

William Gaines was the first, born Feb. 25, 1892, died Jul. 20, 1963 in McCreary Co.  His first wife was Kizzie Coffey, born May 19, 1901 in McCreary Co., died there on Apr. 8, 1949.  She the daughter of George Washington Coffey and wife Margery "Sis" Troxell and, first cousin to William; their father's were brothers.

To them was born Harrison, Mar 2, 1919, died in Pulaski Co., KY on Aug. 16, 1983, and buried at Sherd Dobbs; Bertie, born c1922 and Martha, born c1926.  I know nothing more about these children.

Both William and Kizzie are buried at Sherd Dobbs.

William married second to Alice Phillips, a daughter of Pate and Elizabeth Cox Phillips.  According to her obituary and the 1940 McCreary Co. census, Alice was born c1935.  She died on Oct. 9, 1978 in Springfield, Clark Co., OH and was buried at Sherd Dobbs.

Alice Coffey, 43, Springfield, Ohio, died Oct. 9 in Springfield.  Funeral services were conducted Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. at Hickman Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Earl Davis officiating.  Burial was in Sherd Dobbs Cemetery.

She was born in 1935 in McCreary County to the late Pate and Elizabeth Cox Phillips.  Her husband, Gaines Coffey, preceded her in death.  She lived here for many years and was a homemaker.

Survivors include her children, Gaines Coffey, Jr., Somerset, Mrs. Bertha Carroll, Covington, Dean and Linda Coffey, both of Dayton, Ky., and Herman Mark Hughes, Smithtown.  One brother, Lloyd Phillips, Cincinnati and two sisters, Flossie Clark, Dayton, Ky., and Lola Irvin, Eaton, Ohio.

Hickman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

The child Herman Mark Hughes may be a step-son from a marriage subsequent to the death of William in 1963.

The second child born to Coleman and Rosa was Ada J., born May 4, 1896, died Jan. 15, 1971 in McCreary Co.  Her husband was John Sherman Dobbs, a son of Stephen Tolbert and Mary Gregory Dobbs.  They were married in KY on Oct. 8, 1912.  Sherman was born Aug. 11, 1885 in Wayne Co. and died in Oneida, Scott Co., TN on Dec. 23, 1968.

Sherman Dobbs, life long resident of the Cooperative community, died Saturday December 23,1968, in Scott County Hospital, Oneida, Tenn.

Mr Dobbs, 82, a retired coal miner, had been ill for more than a year. The deceased was born August 11, 1885, in Wayne County, the son of the late Tolbert Dobbs and Polly Ann Gregory Dobbs. He was a member of the New Haven Baptist Church at Cooperative.

Surviving are his wife, Ada Coffey Dobbs, one daughter, Mrs. Lillie Bell, Muncie, two sons, Dewey Dobbs, Muncie and Roy Dobbs, Cooperative; two brothers, Jeff Dobbs, Monticello, and Albert Dobbs, Cooperative.

Funeral services were held on Christmas Day at 1 o'clock in the afternoon with Rev. Robert Jones and Rev. Earl Davis officiating. Burial was in the Sherd Dobbs Cemetery with Hickman Funeral Home in charge. His grandsons served as pall bearers.

I have their children as:  Roy, born Oct. 30, 1913, died Apr. 26, 1988 in Pulaski Co., KY; Lillie, born Sep. 16, 1915 in Wayne Co.; Dewey, born Oct. 13, 1917 in McCreary Co.; an unnamed child born Nov. 1, 1926; Ida Dester, born and died Mar. 20, 1932 in McCreary Co.; and Hubert, born Feb. 28, 1938, died Oct. 20, 1936 in McCreary Co.

The third child was Sarah E., born Mar. 14, 1898, died Apr. 1, 1984 in McCreary Co.  Her husband was Rhodes Bell, born Mar. 6, 1893 in KY, died Nov. 8, 1977 in Oneida, TN.  Both buried at Sherd Dobbs.

Two children following Sarah was Rosie, born c1902 and Henry, born c1904.  No further information.

Lona was child number six.  She was born on Apr. 30, 1905 and died Jun. 12, 1989.  She married Thomas Gregory, perhaps some kin to Mary Gregory Dobbs, wife of Stephen Tolbert Dobbs.  Thomas was born Feb. 26, 1903 and died May 23, 1967 in McCreary Co.  He and Lona are buried at Sherd Dobbs.

Their children, all born in McCreary Co. were:  Austin, born Jul. 10, 1926, died Dec. 6, 1958.  His wife was Juanita Roberts; Ray, born May 28, 1928, died Feb. 8, 2000 in Clermont Co., OH; Betty M., born c1935; Ina, born c1937; Lona, born c1939 and Donald Lee, born Mar. 24, 1948, died Aug. 22, 1997.

Child seven was Wilburn, born Jun. 7, 1908, died Mar. 16, 1977 in Pulaski Co.  He married Roxie Gregory, a daughter of Obie and Laurie Dobbs Gregory.  Roxie was born Feb. 12, 1910 and died in McCreary Co. on Sep. 29, 1978.

Eva, born Jan. 14, 1912, was child number eight.  I have no other information on her.

The last child was George H., born Aug. 24, 1913, died Mar. 27, 1967.  George married Lucy Haynes on Dec. 28, 1946 at Hill Top in McCreary Co. I am told that Gary T. Coffey, born Mar. 30, 1962, died Apr., 1962 was one of their children.  Lucy is said to have married Lee Sosh after the death of George.  She died on Jun. 14, 1991 and is buried at Sherd Dobbs.  Lucy was the daughter of Albert L. and Cora Tucker Haynes

Corrections and additions welcomed!

Burl & Camely Steele Coffey

Burl was a son of James Nelson and Sarah Margaret Barrier Coffey.  He was born on Jan. 14, 1884 in Kentucky - probably Wayne Co. - and died May 15, 1971 in that county.  He is buried at Elk Spring Cemetery at Monticello, KY.  Burl married Camely Steele, a daughter of John M. and Eliza Steele on Mar 7, 1903. Camely was born in Dec., 1884 in Wayne Co..  Her death date is unknown but, she is also buried at Elk Spring Cemetery.

Burl shares his headstone with his second wife, Emma Lee Gregory who he married c1941.  Emma was born Sep. 25, 1897 to George Washington and Gemima Elizabeth Worley Gregory.  She died Dec. 5, 1986.

Burl registered for the WW1 draft on Sep. 12, 1918 at the age of 34 years.  He and Camely lived in Barrier, Wayne Co. at the time where he was a farmer.  The record describes him as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and light brown hair. Twenty-four years later, on Apr. 27, 1942 and at age 58, he registered for the WW2 draft in Benton Co., IN.  He was described then as weighing 160 lbs and 5' 9" tall.  He eyes were still blue but his hair was gray.  Rather than Emma, he named Shoff Coffey of Oxford, IN as someone who would always know his address.  Perhaps he and Emma married later than 1941?

Burl and Camely were the parents of at least 10 children, all born in Wayne Co.:

Mabel, born c1905
Earnie, born c1907
Oscar, born c1909
Mayme, born Aug. 6, 1911
Mary Jane, born c1912
Leslie, born Aug. 24, 1913
Frederic, born c1915
Woodrow, born May 31, 1918
Dortha, born Feb. 13, 1921
Shoff G., born Jul. 29, 1925

Mayme married Addir R. Tuggle c1927 in KY.  He was born c1904 to James Wyatt and Rice Ellen Brown Tuggle.  Addie died Aug. 18, 1977 in Pulaski Co.  He was a resident of Lincoln Co. at the time of death and, is probably buried in that county.  There were at least two children born to this union:  Eugene (?) R., born c1927 and Lula Mae, born Nov. 14, 1929 in Wayne Co.

Cullem Leonard Coffey

Lula Mae married Cullem Leonard Coffey on Feb. 14, 1948, in KY and probably in Wayne Co.  Cullem died on Dec. 2, 2010 in Monticello, Wayne Co. and, was likely buried at Elk Spring.  Lula Mae died May 24, 2007 and, she is buried at Elk Spring.  Cullem was the son of Edward Cullem and Gertie Evana Taylor Coffey.

Shoff G. married Eva Mae Rainwater on Jan. 7, 1942 in Indiana.  She was born Feb. 12, 1923 in Liberty, Casey Co., KY to parents Louis F. and Grace "Gracie" Wilson Rainwater.

Death records for Shoff and Eva have not been found.  However, an obituary has been found for (second wife?) Adela L. Coffey, wife of Shoff G. Coffey.  She died in Fuquay-Varina, Wake Co., NC and, her obituary appeared in the The (Asheboro, N.C.) Courier-Tribune

FUQUAY-VARINA - Adela Laster Coffey, 59, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999.  Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Baptist Church, Angier.  Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Fuquay-Varina.

Surviving are husband, Shoff G. Coffey; daughters, Sandra Betts of Asheboro, Sharon Inman of Archdale; son, Karl Haper of Fuquay-Varina; brothers, Haywood Laster of Chesapeake, Va., Donald Laster and David Laster, both of Portsmouth, Va., Robert Adams of Sophia; granddaughter, Amber Haper of the home; five other grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

The family will be at the church noon-2 p.m. on Thursday.

Thomas Funeral Home, Fuquay-Varina, is in charge of the arrangements.

Drop a comment or e-mail to add to or to correct any of this info.

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Photo of Cullem Leonard Coffey is courtesy of Jacqueline Coffee Daffrin

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1910 Wayne Co., Elk Creek Pct., ED222, Sheet 13A, dwelling/family 240, Coffey, Burl, head, male, white, age 26, married once for 7 yrs., born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Comely, wife, female, white, age 25, married once for 7 yrs., mother of 3, 3 living, born KY, parents born KY; Mabel, dau., female, white, age 5, born KY; Earnie, son, male, white, age 3, born KY; Oscar, son, male, white, age 6 mos., born KY.

1920 Wayne Co., Oil Valley Pct., ED258, Sheet 5B, Cooper Road, dwelling 96, family 100, Coffey, Burl, head, female, white, age 35, married, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Camely [sic], wife, female, white, age 35, married, born KY, parents born KY; Mabvel, dau., female, white, age 15, single, born KY; Ernie, dau [sic], female, white, age 13, born KY; Oscar, son, male, white, age 11, born KY; Mary Jane, dau., female, white, age 8, born KY; Leslie, son, male, white, age 7, born KY; Frederic, son, male, white, age 4 yrs., 6 [?] mos., born KY; Woodrow, son, male, white, age 1 yr., 7 mos., born KY.

1930 Benton Co., Otterbein, ED1, Sheet 3A, dwelling 65, family 67, Coffey, Burl, head, male, white, age 46, married at age 18, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer; Camely, wife, female, white, age 45, married at age 17, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer; Oscar, son, male, white, age 20, single, born KY, farm laborer; Lulie (?), son, male, white, age 18, single, born KY; Frederick, son, male, white, age 15, born KY; Woodrow, son, male, white, age 12, born KY; Dorothy, dau., female, white, age 10, born KY; Shoff, son, male, white, age 4, born KY.

Rhodes Gregory

According to his WW1 draft registration, Rhodes Gregory, a son of Frank and Isabelle Gregory, was born in Kentucky on Apr. 4, 1892 in Slavans, KY.  He was 24 years old at the time, and described as being tall and slender with black eyes and brown hair.  He was married and had two children at that time.

A few birth records for his children have been found, and each names the mother as Mattie Bell.  It is not yet clear to me that Bell was her maiden name.  I do know from the 1920 and 1930 census record that her given name was Mattie.

He and Mattie had at least eight children, two of which married into the Coffey family in Wayne Co., KY.

Lula, their third child, was born Jan. 18, 1918 in Wayne Co., and died there on Mar. 28, 1991.  She married Roscoe Coffey, a son of Joseph and Luvada Martin Coffey.  Roscoe was born Apr. 24, 1907 in Kentucky and died in Coopersville, Wayne Co., on Nov. 10, 1988.

Dina, the sixth child of Rhodes and Martha, was born c1925.  She married Inman Coffey, a brother to Roscoe.

Rhodes died in Wayne Co. on Dec. 15, 1969.  I have an unsourced death date for Mattie as Jun. 8, 1950.

Other children born to Rhodes and Mattie were:

Ethel, born Aug., 6, 1914
Lena, born abt Jul., 1916
Marion F., born Jan. 22, 1920
Herman, born Feb. 6, 1925
Nina, born c1926
Leonard, born Oct. 15, 1931

Corrections and/or additions can be sent to me at the above e-mail address, or entered below as comments.