"Mrs. Sophia Porter.
"Noted Woman Passed Away At Preston, Texas
"She Entertained Lee, Grant and Jackson at Her Grayson County Home Before the War.
"The Denison Herald
"Died - At Preston, Grayson county, Texas, Friday, August 27, 1897, Mrs. Sophia Porter, aged 81 years, 8 months and 24 days.
"Four score and two years covers many interesting events in American history, and especially that of the great Southwest, and as Mrs. Porter has been so peculiarly identified with the history making events of her own time and environments, some family historian will doubtless seek to preserve the honorable record.
"Sophia Suttonfield was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., September 3, 1815. Colonel Suttonfield, her father, was a Virginian by birth and served as an officer in the war of 1812. He erected the first house at Fort Wayne and was there with his family in 1814. There was neither railroad, telegraph nor steamboat this side of the Atlantic, and Spain owned a vast area of country northwest of New Orleans. Mexican independence had not yet been secured, although the republican cause seemed in a promising way. Many chivalrous Spaniards who had fought against the great Napoleon and had been compelled to flee from Spain after the restoration of the Bourbons, were impelled to lend the swords to the patriot cause in Mexico. Don Jose Manuel Herrera, Don Luis Aury, Colonel Young, Colonel Perry and other Gallant Spanish and American officers had selected Galveston Island as the base of operations and a place of rendezvous for the privateers, and on the 12th of September, 1816, organized a government and unfurled the flag of independence. Commodore Aury was made civil and military governor of Texas and Galveston Island, and took the oath of fealty to the republic of Mexico. Five years after this the indomitable Stephen Fuller Austin - a worthy son of immortal Moses Austin - led the first body of immigrants into Texas by way of Natchitoches¹, pitching their camp in what is now Washington county, and thus beginning the permanent settlement of Texas by Anglo-Americans.
"While her future home was thus being established by deeds of heroism and self-sacrifice, such as have never been paralleled, this child of destiny was developing into a beautiful woman. Her graces and refinement brought her first and greatest sorrow, for her accomplishments attracted the attention of a German officer with whom she was persuaded to elope to the Southwest in 1835. Their first Texas home was in Waxahachie, but his desertion and subsequent death left this friendless young widow among people who were then in the midst of their supreme struggle for independence, and before the decisive battle of San Jacinto she was with the refugees protected by the army of Sam Houston.
"Colonel Holland Coffee was at this time one of the most prominent men in Texas and in 1838 was elected to the third house of representatives from the new county of Panola. While upon a visit to Waco Colonel Coffee met the subject of this sketch, and the result was their marriage at the close of that year. Colonel Coffee had received large grants of land for his gallant military services, and much of it had been located in the rich bottom of Red river. In 1839 the bride and groom established their home at what is now known as Preston Bend, in this county. They were indeed pioneers and lived at first in a stockade as a necessary protection against the roving bands of Comanche Indians. Denison's wooded site was the shelter of thousands of buffalo and other wild game. Sherman was not yet in existence, and only a very small settlement at Bonham. Colonel Coffee was killed in 1847. His wife remained a widow until 1852, when she was married to Major George Butts, a typical Virginian of the bluest blood, who was connected with the Federal army. Again the home was stricken by a violent death, for Major Butts was killed by bushwhackers during the first year of the war. This bereavement prompted Mrs. Butts to leave the plantation, and she moved to Waco, taking with her a large number of slaves. These faithful servants were then hers by the acknowledged right of possession and most of their remained to the end of their days in a service that had brought to them all the benefits of emancipation except actual freedom.
"Mrs. Butts was a remarkably well preserved woman at the age of 50, and her charms compelled the admiration of the grace and chivalric.
"Among those who met this thrice-made widow and who became a successful suitor, was Judge Jonas Porter of Missouri, an officer in the Confederate army, who had stopped at Waco on his way to Mexico. Judge Porter was a widower whose wife had died while he was in the war. He was at one time a member of the Missouri legislature and had risen to a high place in Masonry and Odd Fellowship. A quiet wedding in 1865 and a removal to the bride's home at Preston, brought this remarkable woman back to the community that is now mourning the loss of its best friend.
"Judge and Mrs. Porter are remembered by many who are still living as being ideal entertainers, who had preserved intact the regime of that incomparable Southern hospitality so characteristic of ante-bellum days. Judge Porter was courteous and scholarly and greatly assisted his wife in retaining at this home the attractions of refinement and education.
"In 1869 they visited Indiana and Mrs. Porter entered the Suttonfield home for the first time since her abrupt departure as a runaway bride many years before. The aged mother was still living and welcomed the daughter with all the joy that can be expressed by a never-dying mother love.
"The year 1886 brought another sorrow into this history of a life, as Judge Porter was stricken with a fatal disease and passed peacefully away.
"Mrs. Porter was still vigorous, and did not relax her interest in all that concerned the good of those about her. She had been a consistent member of the Southern Methodist church since 1869, and gave the ground near by upon which was built what is known as "Coffee Chapel." To this she was also a large contributor and gave it five acres in another place for camp meeting purposes. A few years ago she presented the Georgetown university three hundred and fifty acres of improved land, valued at ten thousand dollars.
"Thus passed away the sweet spirit of 'Aunt Sophia,' surrounded by relatives and neighbors and by servants who had been born into the household as slaves bu had considered it the highest freedom to remain with their former mistress.
"The old house seems to voice the universal sorrow, for age and decay have touched it in many places; yet the beauty has not all departed. The broad avenue leading from the entrance to the house is lined with immense catalpa trees, grown from seed planted by Mrs. Porter, the seed having been brought by the father of Governor Throckmorton. The grounds are full of flowers and palms, rare plants and cacti, and the spacious verandas have afforded a welcome retreat for many distinquished people. Jefferson Davis, U. S. Grant, Ben Butler, Robert E. Lee, George B. McClellan and General Arbuckle were among the famous soldiers who enjoyed its hospitality in the early days. Many of Quantrell's men were quartered there during their sojourn in this region.
"'Glen Eden' was known and visited by the pleasure seekers of all Northern Texas and the strangers as well as the most intimate friends were made welcome at all times."
Source: The Houston daily post. (Houston, Tex.), 30 Aug. 1897. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86071197/1897-08-30/ed-1/seq-3/>
¹Natchitoches is a city in Natchitoches Parish, LA, established in 1714 as part of French Louisiana. Its sister city is Nacogdoches, TX.
Showing posts with label McClellan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label McClellan. Show all posts
October 3, 2014
December 21, 2012
Albert and Sarah Goodnight Coffey
Albert was the second eldest son of the Rev. Reuben A. and Martha "Polly" Dowell Coffey, born Feb. 22, 1810 in Wilkes Co., NC. Albert married Sarah Goodnight in Monroe Co., IN on Dec. 5, 1833.[1] Sarah was born c1803 in Shelby Co., KY.
Albert died in Jan., 1837, just a few years into his marriage with Sarah, and leaving her with two young children to raise. The first was Julia Ann, born in Aug., 1836 followed by Wesley W., born Dec. 13, 1837 in Owen Co., IN. Sarah never remarried and died c1880 in Spencer, Owen Co., IN. Daughter Julia married William R. Stogsdill in Owen Co. in 1856 and Sarah lived with them in Owen Co. for almost 30 years.
Sarah's son Wesley married Laura Joseph Howe in Owen Co. in 1865.[2] Laura was the daughter of Amon Price and Harriet C. Thatcher Howe and was born in IN in 1843. Together, they had three children, only one of which married and has descendants. That was Bryon Howe, born in 1866, Owen Co., died 1945 in Los Angeles, CA. He was their first born, followed by Hallie H. in 1874 and Albert Price in 1876. Laura was the mother of four children but only three survived to become adults.[3]
Hallie and Albert never married and pretty much lived with their mother, or with each other, from birth to death in Los Angeles. Albert died in 1936 at age 70, and Hallie died in 1969 at age 95. I have not found their burial places. In the 1941 city directory for Wilmar City in Los Angeles Co., Albert gave his occupation as "musician." Hallie reported her occupation as "stenographer."
Byron married Nellie Branham in Owen Co. in 1894.[2] She was a daughter of Laroes and Susan Amanda Halbert Branham, born in Indiana in Sep., 1873. She died on Jul. 4, 1962 in Los Angeles.
There were four children born to their marriage, all in Spencer, Owen Co.:
Thatcher Howe, born 1895, died 1956 in Los Angeles. Thatcher married Lessa Leona Freeman in Riverside Co., CA in 1919. She was the daughter of Fletcher and Margaret McClellan Freeman, born in Oct., 1899 in Iowa, died in Los Angeles in 1979. I believe that Thatcher and Lessa had just one child, a daughter named Mary Jane, born in 1920. She married John Batterso and they both lived with her parents in LA in 1940.
Thatcher's sister, Naomi Josephine was born in 1896 and died in LA County in 1970. She was married to Karl Keeler in Marion Co., IN in 1916.[2] They had at least two children, Lois Karlyn, born c1919 and Karl, Jr., born c1921. Lois married a Mr. Teters and died in LA County in 1990.
Byron's third child was Cecile Louise, born 1897, died in LA County in 1946. She married Joseph Adolph Iverson c1927, probably in CA. He died in Chatsworth, LA County in 1986. She died well before that, in 1946, LA County. This may be the same Joseph who was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, LA Co. His bio at Find-A-Grave reads: "Son of Carl Johan and Augusta Matilda (Wagman) Iverson. Husband of Louise and Iva. Brother of Carl Jr and Aaron Iverson, Anna Foss and Sena Baker. Joe was the owner, along with brother Aaron, of the Iverson Ranch in Chatsworth, famed filming place of many American westerns of the 1930s through the 1960s, including The Lone Ranger series and numerous episodes of Bonanza." I know of no children born to his union with Louise but, a website devoted to the ranch and some of the history, has a photo of Ed Iverson, reported there to be the one of "the owner," which could be Aaron's son..
The fourth child and second son was Jule Hubert, born in 1899, died in LA County in 1979. He married Harried Ellen Johnson c1925. She was born in Ramsey Co., MN in 1899 and was the mother of at least two children: Harry, born c1927 and Priscilla H., born c1931. Jule held numerous patents during his lifetime, including US 3088677 for the "Oscillating Arm Pop-Up Sprinkler," seen on many lawns across the US. To be sure, others have made "improvements," but the basic concept remains Jule's.
He was a 1924 graduate of CalTech and died in Clarement, CA in 1979. His daughter, Priscilla Coffey McKenna wrote to the alumni newsletter that "he was retired and had been living in Claremont, California....He lived a long and exceedingly useful life and we will miss him very much."[4]
While searching for Jule's daughter Priscilla, I found that she married Malcolm Carnegie McKenna, son of Donald Carnegie and Bernice Caroline Waller McKenna. The McKennas were a family of philanthropists; Donald being a Pennsylvania industrialist and the namesake of Clarement McKenna College in CA. Malcolm and Priscilla were married in Claremont on Jun. 17, 1952. He died on Mar. 3, 2008 in Boulder, CO. Before his retirement, Malcolm was Frick curator of vertebrate paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History and professor emeritus of geological sciences at Columbia University.
[1]Indiana State Library Genealogy Database: Marriages through 1850, Indiana State Library online [http://199.8.200.229/db/marriages_search.asp], accessed Sep.,2005.
[2]Indiana Marriage Records Index, 1845-1920;.Index to Marriage Records Indiana: Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.
[3]1900 Owen Co., IN census record
[4]Caltech News, June 1979, California Institute of Technology (http://caltechcampuspubs.library.caltech.edu/2366/1/1979_06_13_04.pdf : viewed 21 December 2012), Vol 13, No. 4, Page 8, Obituaries.
Albert died in Jan., 1837, just a few years into his marriage with Sarah, and leaving her with two young children to raise. The first was Julia Ann, born in Aug., 1836 followed by Wesley W., born Dec. 13, 1837 in Owen Co., IN. Sarah never remarried and died c1880 in Spencer, Owen Co., IN. Daughter Julia married William R. Stogsdill in Owen Co. in 1856 and Sarah lived with them in Owen Co. for almost 30 years.
Sarah's son Wesley married Laura Joseph Howe in Owen Co. in 1865.[2] Laura was the daughter of Amon Price and Harriet C. Thatcher Howe and was born in IN in 1843. Together, they had three children, only one of which married and has descendants. That was Bryon Howe, born in 1866, Owen Co., died 1945 in Los Angeles, CA. He was their first born, followed by Hallie H. in 1874 and Albert Price in 1876. Laura was the mother of four children but only three survived to become adults.[3]
Hallie and Albert never married and pretty much lived with their mother, or with each other, from birth to death in Los Angeles. Albert died in 1936 at age 70, and Hallie died in 1969 at age 95. I have not found their burial places. In the 1941 city directory for Wilmar City in Los Angeles Co., Albert gave his occupation as "musician." Hallie reported her occupation as "stenographer."
Byron married Nellie Branham in Owen Co. in 1894.[2] She was a daughter of Laroes and Susan Amanda Halbert Branham, born in Indiana in Sep., 1873. She died on Jul. 4, 1962 in Los Angeles.
There were four children born to their marriage, all in Spencer, Owen Co.:
Thatcher Howe, born 1895, died 1956 in Los Angeles. Thatcher married Lessa Leona Freeman in Riverside Co., CA in 1919. She was the daughter of Fletcher and Margaret McClellan Freeman, born in Oct., 1899 in Iowa, died in Los Angeles in 1979. I believe that Thatcher and Lessa had just one child, a daughter named Mary Jane, born in 1920. She married John Batterso and they both lived with her parents in LA in 1940.
Thatcher's sister, Naomi Josephine was born in 1896 and died in LA County in 1970. She was married to Karl Keeler in Marion Co., IN in 1916.[2] They had at least two children, Lois Karlyn, born c1919 and Karl, Jr., born c1921. Lois married a Mr. Teters and died in LA County in 1990.
Byron's third child was Cecile Louise, born 1897, died in LA County in 1946. She married Joseph Adolph Iverson c1927, probably in CA. He died in Chatsworth, LA County in 1986. She died well before that, in 1946, LA County. This may be the same Joseph who was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, LA Co. His bio at Find-A-Grave reads: "Son of Carl Johan and Augusta Matilda (Wagman) Iverson. Husband of Louise and Iva. Brother of Carl Jr and Aaron Iverson, Anna Foss and Sena Baker. Joe was the owner, along with brother Aaron, of the Iverson Ranch in Chatsworth, famed filming place of many American westerns of the 1930s through the 1960s, including The Lone Ranger series and numerous episodes of Bonanza." I know of no children born to his union with Louise but, a website devoted to the ranch and some of the history, has a photo of Ed Iverson, reported there to be the one of "the owner," which could be Aaron's son..
 |
| Coffey Sprinkler Click for larger view |
The fourth child and second son was Jule Hubert, born in 1899, died in LA County in 1979. He married Harried Ellen Johnson c1925. She was born in Ramsey Co., MN in 1899 and was the mother of at least two children: Harry, born c1927 and Priscilla H., born c1931. Jule held numerous patents during his lifetime, including US 3088677 for the "Oscillating Arm Pop-Up Sprinkler," seen on many lawns across the US. To be sure, others have made "improvements," but the basic concept remains Jule's.
He was a 1924 graduate of CalTech and died in Clarement, CA in 1979. His daughter, Priscilla Coffey McKenna wrote to the alumni newsletter that "he was retired and had been living in Claremont, California....He lived a long and exceedingly useful life and we will miss him very much."[4]
 |
| Malcolm Carnegie McKenna |
[1]Indiana State Library Genealogy Database: Marriages through 1850, Indiana State Library online [http://199.8.200.229/db/marriages_search.asp], accessed Sep.,2005.
[2]Indiana Marriage Records Index, 1845-1920;.Index to Marriage Records Indiana: Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.
[3]1900 Owen Co., IN census record
[4]Caltech News, June 1979, California Institute of Technology (http://caltechcampuspubs.library.caltech.edu/2366/1/1979_06_13_04.pdf : viewed 21 December 2012), Vol 13, No. 4, Page 8, Obituaries.
April 29, 2009
Byron Howe & Nellie Branham Coffey - Updated Apr. 29, 2009
Byron Howe Coffey was born in Owen Co. IN on Jan. 29, 1866 to Wesley W. and Laura Josephine Howe Coffey. Wesley was descended from the Rev. Reuben A. Coffey and his wife Martha "Polly" Dowell, through their son Albert who married Sarah Goodnight.
Nellie Branham was born in Sep., 1873 in Indiana to Larose and Susan A. Halbert Branham. She and Byron were married on Jan. 9, 1894 in Owen Co.
Byron and Nellie moved from Indiana to California between 1910 and 1920, apparently looking for work and a better life. They took four children with them:
Thatcher Howe, born Feb. 7, 1895 in Spencer, Owen Co., died Jul 16, 1956 in Los Angeles, CA. Thatcher joined the Army in WW1, and served with the 40th Div. He was discharged at Camp Kearny in San Diego, CA on Feb. 8, 1919. In Nov. of that year he married Lessa Leona Freeman in Riverside Co., CA. I know of one child for them, a daughter, Mary Jane, born Oct. 5, 1920 in CA., and died as Mary Jane Gratny in West Covina, CA on Jan. 30, 2007. Lessa was the daughter of Fletcher and Margaret McClellan Freeman, born Oct. 5, 1899 in IA died Jan. 24, 1979 in Los Angeles.
Naomi Josephine, born Mar. 22, 1896 in Spencer, died Dec. 4, 1970 in Los Angeles. Naomi married Karl Keeler on Mar. 16, 1916 in Marion Co., IN. They later moved to CA but by 1930 were living in Seattle, King Co., WA. I have two children, Lois, born c1919, and Karl, Jr., born c1921. Lois was born "back home in Indiana," while Karl waited until the family arrived in CA before making his appearance. Karl, Sr. waas born c1896 in Indiana, but I have not yet found a death place or date for him.
Cecile Louise, born Nov. 25, 1897 in Spencer, died Feb. 11, 1946 in Los Angeles. She married Joseph Adolph Iverson c1927, probably in CA. Joseph was the son of Charles John and Agusta Marilda Wagman Iverson. Charles was born in Norway while Agusta was born in Sweden. Joseph died in Nov., 1986 in CA. Cecile preceded him when she died on Feb. 11, 1946 in Los Angeles. I have no children for them.
Jule Hubert, born Dec. 25, 1899 in Spencer, died Mar. 3, 1979 in Los Angeles. He married Harriet Ellen Johnson c1925, a daughter of Gustav and Mary Johnson, both natives of Sweden. I have one child for Jule and Harriet, a son, Harry, born c1927.
Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or submit corrections.
--------------
I have received the following corrections for this family:
Dear Mr. Coffee,
I offer these corrections to the "Genealogy e-Newsletter for the Coffee/Coffey Surname and related families" that describes the genealogy of Byron Howe Coffey and "Nellie" Branham Coffey. Byron and Nelle were my paternal grandparents.
1. Nellie's actual name was Nelle Branham.
2. My father, Jule Hubert Coffey, in 1926 married Harriet Ellen Johnson, who was born October 30, 1899 in Tracy, MN. She was the daughter of Harry Gleason Johnson and Ellen Armanda Hicks. There never was any connection with Sweden.
Thank you in advance for your attention to these corrections.
Priscilla Coffey McKenna
Nellie Branham was born in Sep., 1873 in Indiana to Larose and Susan A. Halbert Branham. She and Byron were married on Jan. 9, 1894 in Owen Co.
Byron and Nellie moved from Indiana to California between 1910 and 1920, apparently looking for work and a better life. They took four children with them:
Thatcher Howe, born Feb. 7, 1895 in Spencer, Owen Co., died Jul 16, 1956 in Los Angeles, CA. Thatcher joined the Army in WW1, and served with the 40th Div. He was discharged at Camp Kearny in San Diego, CA on Feb. 8, 1919. In Nov. of that year he married Lessa Leona Freeman in Riverside Co., CA. I know of one child for them, a daughter, Mary Jane, born Oct. 5, 1920 in CA., and died as Mary Jane Gratny in West Covina, CA on Jan. 30, 2007. Lessa was the daughter of Fletcher and Margaret McClellan Freeman, born Oct. 5, 1899 in IA died Jan. 24, 1979 in Los Angeles.
Naomi Josephine, born Mar. 22, 1896 in Spencer, died Dec. 4, 1970 in Los Angeles. Naomi married Karl Keeler on Mar. 16, 1916 in Marion Co., IN. They later moved to CA but by 1930 were living in Seattle, King Co., WA. I have two children, Lois, born c1919, and Karl, Jr., born c1921. Lois was born "back home in Indiana," while Karl waited until the family arrived in CA before making his appearance. Karl, Sr. waas born c1896 in Indiana, but I have not yet found a death place or date for him.
Cecile Louise, born Nov. 25, 1897 in Spencer, died Feb. 11, 1946 in Los Angeles. She married Joseph Adolph Iverson c1927, probably in CA. Joseph was the son of Charles John and Agusta Marilda Wagman Iverson. Charles was born in Norway while Agusta was born in Sweden. Joseph died in Nov., 1986 in CA. Cecile preceded him when she died on Feb. 11, 1946 in Los Angeles. I have no children for them.
Jule Hubert, born Dec. 25, 1899 in Spencer, died Mar. 3, 1979 in Los Angeles. He married Harriet Ellen Johnson c1925, a daughter of Gustav and Mary Johnson, both natives of Sweden. I have one child for Jule and Harriet, a son, Harry, born c1927.
Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or submit corrections.
--------------
I have received the following corrections for this family:
Dear Mr. Coffee,
I offer these corrections to the "Genealogy e-Newsletter for the Coffee/Coffey Surname and related families" that describes the genealogy of Byron Howe Coffey and "Nellie" Branham Coffey. Byron and Nelle were my paternal grandparents.
1. Nellie's actual name was Nelle Branham.
2. My father, Jule Hubert Coffey, in 1926 married Harriet Ellen Johnson, who was born October 30, 1899 in Tracy, MN. She was the daughter of Harry Gleason Johnson and Ellen Armanda Hicks. There never was any connection with Sweden.
Thank you in advance for your attention to these corrections.
Priscilla Coffey McKenna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)