George W. Coffey

From 20th century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, McFarland, Joseph F., Chicago, Ill: Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., 1910, 1438 pages.

GEORGE W. COFFEY, one of Buffalo Township's most successful stockmen and a prosperous farmer of this section, owns 140 acres of very fine land at Coffey's Crossing, a settlement along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line which was named in honor of his father. He was born in Buffalo Township, Washington County, Pa., September 7, 1841, and is a son of George R. and Agnes (Dickey) Coffey.

The parents of Mr. Coffey were natives of Glasgow, Scotland, where they grew to maturity and married. With his wife and three children, George R. Coffey emigrated to America, landing at New York July 4, 1836. Coming on to Washington County, Pa., the family settled for a short time in the vicinity of Washington and for some years the father followed his trade of wagon making in that section. In 1848 he settled on the present site of Coffey's Crossing and acquired the farm which his son, George W., now owns. He continued to live on this land until within several years of his death, when he retired to Washington. He was a Presbyterian in his religious belief and a Democrat in politics. Of his children there are two survivors, Hennie D., who is the wife of Daniel A. Clemens, of West Washington, Pa., and George W.

George W. Coffey was a small boy when his parents settled on his present farm. He went to school in the neighborhood until old enough to perform farm duties and since then has given his time and attention to these. He raises a large amount of fine stock, having Poland China hogs and registered Shorthorn cattle. For two years he served as postmaster at Brenemen, the office at first being located at Coffey's Crossing, but for several years the office has been discontinued, the introduction of the rural mail service making many of the old distributing places unnecessary.

On November 16, 1865, Mr. Coffey was married to Miss Narcissa A. McCoy, who was born in West Virginia, but was a resident of Washington at the time of her marriage. He father was the late William McCoy. To Mr. and Mrs. Coffey seven children were born, namely: George R., Martha R., Ernest Lester, Clark M., Grace, Bessie E., and Chester W. Their record in brief is as follows: George R., who lives in Buffalo Township, married Jennie McKnight and they are the parents of six children--Mary N., Margaret E., George C., Ralph M., Willis D. and Belle Mildred. Martha R. is the wife of Walter Thomas, of Indianapolis, Ind., and has a daughter, Narcissa Ethel. Ernest Lester resides at Toronto, Ohio. He married Sarah Wallace and his children are Lucile, Nannie G., Margaret, Narticca, and Ernest. Clark M., who lives in Steubenville, Ohio, married Jessie Pennell and they have a daughter, Martha Ruth. Grace resides in Buffalo Township. Bessie E. is the wife of Forrest Chetwyn McElwain, of Canton Township, and has two children--Elise Alberta and Martha Grace. Mr. Coffey is an independent voter, doing his own thinking and casting his ballot according to his own judgement. He enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens in Buffalo Township, who have frequently elected him to office. He has served as road supervisor and for six years was a member of the township school board and during a part of the time was president of that body.