Parkie M. Coffey (1913-1939)

Parkie was born on Jan. 23, 1913 in Adair Co., KY to Andrew Jackson "Andy" Coffey and Malinda Ann Wheat.  She was married to Bulon Grider on May 11, 1935[1], and at age 22 was somewhat late in the life of a young woman from Appalachia. Bulon was 26, born Jun. 23, 1908, a son of Hector Owen and Serena Josephine Bryant Grider.

Their first child, Nadean was born Jul. 9, 1935 in Montpelier and died 29 Oct 1999.  She was buried at the Hale Family cemetery.  Her husband was Travis Hale but neither a census record nor a  marriage record has yet been found. At least four children, all daughters, were born to this union: Beverly, Barbara, Pamela and Kathy.

Obituary from memorial site:

Nadean Hale, 64, Russell Springs, died Friday, October 29, 1999 at Russell County Hospital.  She was born in Russell County July 9, 1935 to the late Parkie Coffey Grider and the late Bulon Grider.  She was a homemaker and a member of French Valley United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Shelby Jean Grider, Lacona Grider and Leona Grider. She is survived by her husband Travis Hale; four daughters, Beverly Jo Hale, Russell Springs, Barbara Coffey and her husband Joe, Jamestown, Pamela Mann and her husband Billy, Russell Springs and Kathy Hale, Russell Springs; one brother, Orvis Grider, Columbia, Kentucky; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Services were held Monday, November 1, 1999, 10:00 a.m. at Bernard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Brian Janes and Rev. Tommy Sexton officiating. Burial was in Hale Cemetery. Special music was provided by Wilma Coffey and Steve Stapp. Pallbearers were Mike Bradshaw, Darrell Robertson, Charles Edwards, Ronnie Hudson, David Hare and Ronnie Coffey. Bernard Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

The tragedy in the life of Parkie and Bulon began circa Jan., 1937 when their daughter Annie Josephine was born.  The child died of acute bronchitis some four months later on May 27, 1937 in Montpelier.  She was laid to rest at Haynes Cemetery on 28 May 1937.  The Find A Grave memorial for Annie [No. 58330111] names her as a half-sibling to Bulon and Parkie's other children.  But, her death certificate names that couple as her mother and father.

Annie Josephine Grider 

Death Certificate

The tragedy continued with the death of Parkie on 27 Nov. 1939 of endocarditis and septicemia following the birth of twin daughters, Lacona and Leonna on Oct. 15, 1939.  Lacona died the day following her mother's death.  Leonna lived a bit longer before death overcame her on Dec. 8.

Parkie May Coffey Grider

Death Certificate

All were buried at Haynes Cemetery.

Bulon has not been found in the 1940 census.  He enlisted in the US Army at Louisville, KY on Jan. 19, 1943.

Bulon lived until Mar. 16, 1956 when he died as a result of malnutrition and dehydration caused by a brain tumor.  He was also buried at Haynes.  It is not known if her ever remarried. His death certificate reported that he was a widower at the time of death. The informant was his daughter Nadean, using surname Grider. Perhaps she married after his death.

Bulon Grider

Death Certificate

A death certificate has not been found for the other children.  Oddly, the daughter Annie and Shelby appear to have the same birth and death dates. Perhaps they too were twins.

Corrections and/or additions welcomed!

[1]"Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9398-QB5C-H?cc=1804888&wc=QD3Q-W78%3A1589734243 : 17 May 2018), 004544018 > image 150 of 1197; Madison County Courthouse, Richmond.

John Hunter & Emily Caroline Coffey Grider

The Griders were Kentucky Pioneers.  I have not checked all of them to find which were the earliest to arrive but, I note that Tobias Grider was in Boyle Co., KY in 1800 [1] and one of those who left with his family to settle in Roseville in Placer Co., CA. [2]

John Hunter was born in KY in June of 1816 to parents born in KY.  I do not know who his parents were but may have been part of the Tobias Grider relatives.  John married Emily Caroline Coffey in KY, probably in Casey Co., or perhaps Russell Co., but a marriage record has not been found.

Emily Caroline was born in May of 1826 at Russell Co. to Elijah and Mariah Coffey Coffey.  Elijah was a son of Cleveland and Jane Witherspoon Coffey; Mariah was born in Jan., 1802 to Elias "Eli" and Mary Coffey Coffey.

To summarize and leave for the reader to untangle the relationships, Elias and Cleveland were first cousins as were Elias and Mary and Mary and Cleveland.

I cannot find John and Emily in the 1850 census.  The first I find is 1860 with the family living in Jamestown, Russell Co., when John was 40 years old and Emily was 30.  They had Joshua, age 9; George W., age 5; Maria L., age 3; and Mary, age 1.  Emily and John went on to have 10 children but by 1900 only 4 were still living.  Children that I know of were:  Joshua, born in 1851; Mary Jane, born 1853; George W., born 1855; Maria, born 1856; Mary, born 1858; Robert C., born 1860; Lucy E., born c1865 and John Elisha, born c1867.  The first five of their children were probably born in Russell Co.; the last three perhaps in Casey Co.

In 1870 the family was farming at Liberty, Casey Co. where they remained until death.  Both John and Emily are buried at the Fair Cemetery in Pricetown, Casey Co.  Their death dates are unknown.

Son Joshua married Mary E. Coffey on Nov. 29, 1877 in Adair Co.  I strongly believe Mary to be the daughter of Joseph and Beth Ada Strunk Coffey, but have no proof.  She is in the right place at the right time and of the right age but a marriage record hasn't yet been found.  By the 1880 census they had no living children in the household and, I have been unable to locate them in later census records.  Joshua is buried at Fair Cemetery.  I do not know his death date nor the death date or burial site for Mary.

Jos. Grider-MaryCoffey Mar Record

The marriage record for this couple tells us they were to be married at the home of G. W. Grider, who I presume to be Joshua's brother.  Further down, the license tells us they were married at the home of Warren Grider, hence my reason for naming Joshua's brother as George Warren Grider.  I have no other evidence that Warren was his middle name.

George married Elizabeth E. Moore in Casey Co. on May 20, 1880.  She died before 1900 because that year George appeared as a widower in the Liberty, Casey Co. census.  I have found four children for them:  Ethel., born 1881, died 1949, married William W. Bryant on Dec. 21, 1899 in Liberty; Ziporah, born 1884, married Arthur Will in Liberty in 1911; Eddie, born 1887, married Ruth LNU and had at least four children:  Ruby, Irene, Katherine and Louis.  Their last child was Knacy [sic] R., who married Ruth M. Wesley.  They were married in Indiana on Jul. 5, 1916 and apparently returned right to KY almost immediately.  Ruth was born in KY in 1896 and died there in 1979.  Knacy died in Mercer Co. in 1947.  Their children were June; Juanita; K. Garoname (?); Nelson Lee, Ruel and Beulah, all born between 1918 and 1936.  Knacy and Ruth are buried at the Glenwood Cemetery in Liberty.

I have no info for children Maria and Mary.  It appears to me - subject to error, of course - that the family had two daughters named Mary, the first born in 1853 and the second in 1858.  I am thinking that perhaps the first Mary died as an infant and some years later another daughter was given that name.

Robert was child no. 6, born in 1860, died in 1937, Danville, Boyle Co.  Robert married Flora Ann Bell, a daughter of Edmond and Puss Fair Bell on Mar. 6, 1882 in Casey Co.  Flora was born in 1862 and died in 1940, Casey Co. Both are buried at the Fair Cemetery in Pricetown, Casey Co.

He and Flora had 12 children from Sep. 1882 to 1914, not counting any children that may had been still born or died shortly after birth.  Their known children were:  Ollie, a son born in 1882; Lena, born 1888; Edna, born 1890; Edmond, born in 1891, married Pearl Sanders in 1919; Joshua, born 1894, married Ruth Bell in 1913; George, born 1896; Anna Pearl, born 1898; Robert C., born c1901; Emma E., born c1903; Elisha, born c1906; Jessie C., born c1909 and Bertha, born c1914.

Updates, additions and corrections welcomed.

  Jack

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[1] Kentucky Pioneer and Court Records, compiled by Mrs. Harry Kennett McAdams, Heritage Books, 2009, p103

[2] Images of America Roseville, Roseville Historical Society, Arcadia Pub. Co., 2010, p7

Dorinda and Malinda, the Wheat ladies

Hiram Taylor Wheat and his wife Elizabeth Richards, both of Russell Co., KY, had a number of children, including Dorinda, born Nov. 20, 1881 and, Malinda, born Nov. 8, 1884. Both of these ladies married into the Edward Coffey line of descent.

James & Dorinda Wheat Mar Record

Dorinda L. married James W. Coffey, a son of Golson Wilson and Mary C. Allen Coffey, on Jan. 30, 1902 in Adair Co., KY.  Compared to the "normal age" of about 20 for the males and 14-15 for the females of that era, Dorinda and James married late in life.  He was 27 years old, she was 20.  Their first child was named Taylor Wilson Coffey, born Feb. 15, 1909.  Unfortunately, the child did not live even a month and died on Mar. 10, 1909 and was buried at Mount Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery near Russell Springs.

Except for that visit to Adair Co. to marry, James and Dorinda lived the remainder of their lives in Russell County, always near Russell Springs.  Both he and Dorinda were faithful members of the Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church.

Their second and last child was Loriston, a son, born May 29, 1914 in Russell Co.  He died on Jun. 30 1989 in Jefferson Co., KY and was brought home for burial at Mt. Pleasant. I have no information about any family that he may have had.

A young man by the name of Willis Conover first appeared with James and Dorinda in 1910 and was enumerated as their ward.  He was four years old.  I have not yet determined who his parents might have been, but there was a William Conover who married Sarah Stapp in Adair Co. who may have been his parents.  William and Sarah did have a daughter, Sarah Emma who married Samuel Marion Coffey, brother to James W.  Willis continued to appear with or very near James and Dorinda through 1930 when he was their neighbor with his own family, wife Helen, and young son Wilmer.

Finally, in 1940 James and Dorinda were alone once again.  He died on Apr. 18, 1951 of a coronary occlusion and Dorinda on Feb. 22, 1961.  Both were buried at Mt. Pleasant.  One puzzle however was found in her obituary.  That reports that she was not buried until Apr. 24, 1961.  I am wondering if it was too cold and ground too frozen in February to dig her grave and the thaw did not come until late April!?

Mrs. Dorinda Wheat Coffey, widow of the late James W. Coffey, died at her home in Jamestown on Saturday, April 22.  She was 79 years of age.

She and Mr. Coffey were married in 1902 and two children were born of this union - Taylor Wilson Coffey, who died in infancy, and Loriston Coffey.  In addition, Willis Conover, now living in Brooklyn, Ind. grew up in the home of Mrs. Coffey and she was as a mother to him.  Mr. Coffey died in 1951.

In addition to her son and foster-son, she is survived by six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  Two sisters and one brother preceded her in death, and one sister, Mrs. Ann Coffey of Montpelier, survives.

Mrs. Coffey was a member of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church and lived a devout Christian life.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, April 24, in her church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. D. A. Payton.  Burial was in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers were Guy Calhoun, Horace Angle, Ray Wheat, Talt Jones, Glaud Grider, and H. C. Coffey.  Rottetoe Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. [Judy Lynn]

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James W. Coffey was born August 7, 1874, lived 76 years, eight months and 11 days, when his spirit passed from this earth, April 18, 1951.

Mr. Coffey is survived by his wife, Dorinda Wheat Coffey, one son, Lorista [sic] Coffey, and a boy whom he raised, Willis Conover.

There were seven brothers and one sister.  Four of his brothers are still living, John Coffey, Same Coffey, Andy Coffey and Arthur Coffey.  He survived one son, Taylor Wilson Coffey, three brothers, Pink Coffey, Herschel Coffey, Martin Coffey, also one sister, Della, preceded him to the grave.

James W. Coffey and Dorinda Wheat were united in holy wedlock January 30, 1902, where they lived together for 49 years.

Mr. Coffey professed Christianity at an early age.  He was a devout Christian who attended church at Mt. Pleasant where he held his membership.  His last statement was, "I am ready to go.  There is nothing in the way." 

Funeral and burial was at Mt. Pleasant, with Rippetoe Funeral Home, Russell Springs, in charge of all arrangements. [Judy Lynn]

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Andy & Malinda Wheat Mar Record

Dorinda's sister, Malinda Ann, sometimes called Ann or Annie, was born in Russell Co. on Nov. 8, 1884 and died in Adair Co. on Mar. 26, 1976.  She married Andrew J. "Andy" Coffey on July 18, 1909 in Adair Co.  Andy was also a son of Golson and younger brother of James W.

From the time of their marriage until death this couple resided in Adair Co but, both were returned to Russell Co. for burial in the Methodist church cemetery with others in their respective families.

This couple appears to have had only three children:  Pinkey, born c1914, who I believe married a Grider and had two children, Nadine and Arvis.  These two children appeared in the 1940 census as grandchildren with Andy and Ann.  Nadine was age 4 and Arvis was age 2.  Their parents were not present in the household.

In addition to Pinkey there was Leslie, a son, born c1918 and Alvis, another son, born c1924.

Andy died on Jul. 20, 1963 and Malinda on Mar. 26, 1976.


Jack

Albert G. & Elizabeth F. Goodhue Coffey

There was an e-mail in my in-box this morning from a Coffey researcher and correspondent of a few years back.  She is researching this family line and has Coffey information but was concerned that she did not know Elizabeth's parents.

Elizabeth F. Goodhue was born c1835 in Wayne Co., KY and died in that county c1865.  She was the daughter of James Goodhue of New Hampshire and Jane Morris of Cumberland Co., KY.1  Elizabeth's spouse Albert, was born c1825 in Wayne Co. to George W. and Nancy (LNU) Coffey and died sometime after 1893 in Pawnee, Indian Territory, OK.

In 1850 Albert was a constable in Russell Co. and roomed in a home just doors away from the widow Jane Goodhue and her daughters, Mumzella Malvina and Elizabeth.  Mumzella married Isaac G. Scholl c1860 in KY.  He was a native of Merry Oaks in Barren Co., KY.  Her children, all born in Russell Co., were Isadora, born c1862; Dr. Joel B., born Mar 1868; Asa H., born c1869 and Luther F., born Oct., 1872.  Joel, a physician, married Nancy (LNU) c1897 and in the 1900 census had one child, a daughter named "Baby" born Apr., 1898 in Russell Co.

Albert and Elizabeth were parents of at least five children:

Amanda M., born Aug. 19, 1852 in Jamestown, Russell Co., and died after 1920.  She married John McKnight Grider on Dec. 14, 1870 in Russell Co.  They had at least two chidren, Lizzie, born c1872 and Virgil M., born Mar. 6, 1874.  John was born Jun. 19, 1852 in Monroe, Hart Co., KY.  According to my correspondent, Amanda probably died in North Dakota.  I do not have death/burial information of John.

Second child of Albert was Robert B., born Jun. 16, 1855 in Jamestown.  No further info.

Third was an infant, born May 15, 1857, died Jun. 15 of that year.

Fourth was a son, Liston Pancoast, born Feb. 7, 1860, and is said to have died on Dec. 15, 1930 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX.  Liston married Jennie Louise Morris c1885 in Wayne Co.  She was the daughter of Elijah P. M. and Nancy C. Coffey Morris, born Nov. 20, 1861 in Wayne Co., died Feb. 20, 1958 in Antlers, Pushmataha Co., OK.  Jennie is buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery in Antlers.  I have not yet discovered Liston's burial site.

Their children were: 

Edith, born Mar. 5, 1891 in Wayne Co., died Nov. 26, 1959 in Antlers.  She married John J. Ledford c1914.  He was born c1876 in Bucktown, Hardin Co., TN.. Their children were Lenore, James Morris and Kenneth Thurman.

Ruth, born Sep. 22, 1895 in Pawnee, IT, OK, died Aug 28, 1939 in Paris, TX.  She married Walter Henry Baker on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel, McCurtin Co., OK.  He was born Oct. 20, 1894 in Ardmore, Carter Co., OK and died in Guthrie, Local Co., OK on Feb. 22, 1988.  Ruth and Walter had at least two children:  Kathryn, born 1921 and Gwendolyn, born 1922, both in Healdton, Carter Co.  Kathryn is said to have died on Jul. 22, 2001 in Fargo, Cass Co., ND. 

George Leighton, born Jul. 12, 1899 in Pawnee, died Jul. 18, 1927 in Muskogee Co., OK.  He married Vida Valerian Russell on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel.  Vida was born Jan. 5, 1902 in Bodcaw, Nevada Co., AR and died Sep. 26, 1968 in Santee, San Diego Co., CA.  Their children were:  George, Jr.; Bessie Jeanne and Vida Lucille.

Their last known child was James, apparently a "surprise baby," born c1915.  No further info.

The fifth child of Albert and Elizabeth was Thomas V., born 1863.  No further info
 has been found.

Elizabeth's sister, Mumzella Malvina was born Dec., 1830 in Russell Co. and, married Isaac G. Scholl.  The Russell Co. history revealed this:

"Isaac G. Scholl was born in Merry Oaks in Barren County, Kentucky, and moved to Jamestown in October 1850.  He followed his aunt, Sally (Hodge) Satterfield, and her husband Archabald Satterfield, who had come to this area from Scottsville, Allen County, Kentucky, in 1822.  Isaac Scholl served as jailer of Russell County for many years after being appointed to the position in August of 1853.  He was also the town marshal and a blacksmith.  During the Civil War, Isaac was a 3rd lieutenant in the 94th Regiment, 2nd Battalion of the Russell County Militia.  Isaac's grandfather, Abraham Scholl, had been a Revolutionary War soldier.  Abraham was in the Battle of Blue Licks in northern Kentucky when Daniel Boone's son, Israel, was killed."

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Update, Aug. 17, 2011

Albert was married a second time and then to Matilda D. Grider c1865 in [perhaps] Clinton Co., KY but, more likely in Russell Co. because Matilda was born there c1832.  She also appeared there in the 1850 census with her parents, James and Ann Grider.

Some genealogies that I have viewed reports that Matilda first married Vespusian T. Bristow c1851 in Russell Co.  He apparently died before 1860 because she later married William Marlow and moved to Missouri.  The Marlow's appeared in the 1860 census of Miles Point, Carroll Co., MO.2

William was apparently dead by 1865 when Matilda married Albert.  They appeared in the 18703 Jamestown, Russell Co., KY census with two Marlow children: Hiram B., age 9 ["deaf and dumb"] and, Mary W., age 7, both born in MO.

Albert died in 1903 [some genealogies report his death in Oklahoma] and was buried in the Eddy Cemetery at  McLennan Co., TX.  His three sons with Matilda, George Fred, Joseph Frank and James C. are also buried at Eddy.4

An unresolved issue is the report in the1870 and 1880 census record of Albert's birth in Alabama.

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1 Russell County Historical Society, Russell County, Kentucky: History and Families (Nashville, TN: Turner Publishing Co., 1996), Page 19.
2 1860 Carroll Co., Sugar Tree Bottom Twp., Miles Point PO, Sheet 13, dwelling 1019, family 6 [sic], William Marlow, age 48, male, farmer, $8000, $3295, born KY; Matilda, age 25, female, born KY; Saml Marlow, age 22, male, laborer, born KY; John Marlow, age 18, male, born KY; Allice D., age 14, female, born KY; Wm., age 12, male, born KY; Geo., age 10, male, born KY; Malchum [sic] D., age 3, male, birth not given
3 1870 Russell Co., Jamestown PO, Pct. 1, Page 11, dwelling/family 74, Coffey, Albert G., age 45, male, white, farmer, $5000, $2000, born AL; Matilda D., age 36, female, white, keeping house, born KY; Amanda M., age 17, female, white, born KY; Robert B., age 14, male, white, born KY; Liston P., age 10, male, white, born KY; Thomas V., age 6, male, white, born KY; George F., age 4, male, white, born KY; Joseph F., age 11 mos., male, white, born KY; Marlow, Hiram B., age 9, male, white, born Missourie [sic], dumb; Marlow, Mary W., age 7, female, white, born Missourie 
4 His entry on Find A Grave incorrectly places this cemetery in Falls Co., TX