Martin Dewitt Coffey, Jr. (1920-1945)

Tech5 Martin D. Coffey
Photo by F. H. Terry

Martin, a son of the senior Martin and wife Mary Laconia Hamilton, was the next to last child of eight and the seventh of eight sons.  He was born on Feb. 22, 1920 in Lawrence Co., AL and was killed in Germany on Jul. 17, 1945.  He was buried at Courtland Cemetery in Courtland, Lawrence Co.

Like many descendants of John Coffey, eldest child of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey, Martin's ancestry began with the birth of his great-grandfather, Jesse S. Coffey in Wilkes Co., NC in the year 1799.  Jesse married Winifred Crumpton in that county in 1821 and eventually resettled in Pickens and Forsyth Co., GA.

The John Gordon Coffey Family

A son of Jesse and Winifred was John Gordon Coffey, born 1840 in Forsyth Co., died in Pickens in 1920.  He married Mary Monroe Pettitt in Pickens Co. in the year 1859.  Between 1860 and 1887, Mary Pettitt Coffey gave birth to 14 children; nine daughters and five sons.  Their 12th son was Martin Dewitt Coffey, Sr., born 1881 in Pickens Co., died in Courtland, Lawrence Co., AL in 1943.  Through Sr's marriage to Mary Laconia Hamilton, he became the father of Martin, Jr.

Tech 5 US Army WW2

10th Armored Division Patch
Also known as the Tiger Division

Martin enlisted in the US Army at Fort McClellan, AL on July 12, 1941 and earned TEC5 stripes with the 55th Armored Engineer Battalion.  This battalion was part of the 10th Armored Division which blasted its way across Europe under the command of Gen. George A. Patton and the 3d Army in WW2.  The Division was later attached to the 7th Army.

He is not known to have married.

WWII in Europe was over at the time of his death making it unlikely it was combat related.  However, there were Nazi guerrilla cells that operated for a short time after the war and were responsible for a number of post war American deaths.

The Potsdam Conference, attended by Stalin, Truman and Churchill, also began on July 17th. Violence related to that by NAZI sympathizers could have sparked some unrest, resulting in the non-combat deaths of American soldiers.

Aurelius & Jessie Edna Bryant Coffey

Aurelius & Jesse Edna Bryant

Aurelius and Jessie were married in Wise Co., TX on Aug. 4, 1897.  He was a son of James Madison and Elizabeth Susan Caddell Coffey, born on Feb. 7, 1876 in Denton Co., TX.  She was a daughter of John W. and America Bryant, born in Texas in April, 1883.  He died on Jun. 27, 1959 in Denton Co. after having farmed his entire life in Wise and Haskell Counties.  He was buried at Bolivar Cemetery in Bolivar, Denton Co.   Jessie outlived Aurelius and passed away on Nov. 2, 1968 in Denton Co.  She too is buried at Bolivar.




Obituary, The Wise County Messenger, Decatur, TX, Thur., Nov. 7, 1968, Page 5

Coffey Rites Held Monday

Mrs. Jessie Edna (Bryant) Coffey, 86, who grew up in Slidell and lived most of her married life there, died Nov. 2 in Flow Hospital, Denton. She had been in ill health for several years. Her husband, Aurelius Coffey, died in 1959 and since that time she had lived around Denton and Slidell. She is survived by 12 children, four sons, J. W Coffey of Denton, W. R. Coffey of Crowley, Jessie A. Coffey of Dallas and Burnice Coffey of Reno, Nev.; eight daughters, Mrs. W L. Walker of Denton, Mrs. J. I Miller of Odessa, Mrs, Jess A. Hopkins of Slidell, Mrs. Real Pendleton of Oakland, Calif., Mrs. Tyson B. Hamilton of Castro Valley, Calif., Mrs. W. R McClendon of Lancaster, Calif., Mrs. Robert Onlott of Castro Valley, Calif., and Mrs. Robert Garrett of Rosebud, Ark., 27 grandchildren; 60 great­ grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Nov. 4 in Christian’ chapel with Jarru F. Scott officiating. Burial was in Bolivar Cemetery with Jim Coffey, Donald A. Coffey, Jess A. Coffey Jr., Joe Hopkins, Sid Coffey and Leon ? acting as pallbearers.

She and Aurelius were parents of 13 children and all survived her with the exception of the youngest, John Preston, born Apr. 13, 1923, died of Diphtheria at Decatur in Wise Co. on Mar. 28, 1928.  He was buried at Slidell Cemetery on Mar. 29.

I have not yet found any meaningful information on eight of the 12.  Those are America, born Dec., 1899; Jesse, born c1906; Nannie P., born c1910; Aurelia, born c1911; Elizabeth, born c1915; Bernice, born c1917; Gladys F., born c1919 and Lonell, born c1921.

The others are:

James Wendall "Doc," born Nov. 11, 1901, died Nov. 5, 1978 at Denton. His wife was Myrtle M., born Jan. 12, 1905, died May 24, 1983.  No marriage date yet found.  Both are buried at the Slidell Cemetery in Wise Co.  They had at least one son, James Vernon "Jim," born Mar. 1, 1936, died Sep. 25, 2007 at Denton and buried at Prairie Mound Cemetery at Argyl, Denton Co.

Katie Valera, born Oct. 20,1903 at Slidell, married Jud Leroy Milner (erroneously as J. I. Miller in Edna's obit) on Nov. 7, 1924.  He was born May 13, 1901 at Bibb in Comanche Co., TX and died Apr. 16, 1988 at Odessa in Ector Co., TX.  Katie died Nov. 17, 1992.  Both are buried at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland, Midland Co., TX.

William Ross, born Jan. 24, 1908 in Slidell, died Sep. 19, 1973 in Dallas.  His wife was Clauda Mae Fortenberry, born Aug. 2, 1917, died Dec. 20, 1988.  She was buried at the Jackson Cemetery in Krum, Denton Co.  They were parents of at least two sons, Donald Lee, born May 1, 1935 in Decatur, died Oct. 17, 2012 at North Richland Hills, in Tarrant Co., TX, and Charles Wendall, born Apr. 9, 1939 in Wise Co., died Jul 19, 1959 in Grapevine, in Tarrant Co.  Both are buried at the Jackson Cemetery.

The last child for which I have some info was Ima Ruth, born Aug. 23, 1912 in TX, died Nov. 21, 1991 in Los Angeles Co., CA. She married Weldon Richard McClendon on Aug. 14, 1931 in Wise Co.  He was born on Dec. 8, 1906 and died Oct. 15, 1965 in Los Angeles. Both are buried at Joshua Memorial Park at Lancaster in Los Angeles Co.

Please contact me to add to or correct any of this information.

  Jack

Update 7/11/2014

It appears that America might have died young or, went through life under some other given name.

Jesse A. was born Sep. 18, 1905 in Wise Co., and died in Texas on Jun 14, 1990.  He married c1926 to Ruth Dobbs, born c 1909 in TX.  Children: Jesse A., Jr.; Patsy R. and Shirley.  May have been others after 1940 census.

Nannie Pearl, born Jul. 30, 1909 in Wise Co., died Mar. 25, 2002 in TX.  She married Jesse Allmon Hopkins, born Sep. 14, 1897 in OK, died Feb. 19,1975 in Decatur, Wise Co., TX.

Aurelia, born Oct. 19, 1910, died Dec. 12, 1971 in Alameda Co., CA, married Ray Pendleton, born Jan. 18, 1895 in Jefferson Co., KY to John R. and Lydia May Cogswell Pendleton, died Feb. 27, 1951 in Decatur.

Marvel Elizabeth, born c 1914, died Aug. 5, 1998 in Concord, Contra Costa Co., CA. (according to an Ancestry.com tree).  No additional info on who her spouse was.  Her spouse might have been the Robert Onlott mentioned in Edna's obituary but, that surname does not appear to exist.

Gladys Faye, born c 1919, married Tyson Brandon Hamilton, born Jul. 26, 1922 in Escambia Co., AL to Will P. and Eugenia H. Hamilton.  He died Apr. 8, 1999 in Contra Costa Co.  They were married to each other, perhaps three times.  I found only one marriage for them, and that was in Reno, Washoe Co., NV, dated Jan. 21, 1977.  I also found three divorce records, one dated March, 1973 at Monterey, CA; another in Nov., 1977 at Contra Costa the third on Apr. 2, 1980 at Contra Costa.

Alice Lonell, born Jun. 13, 1920, died May 31, 2004 in Rose Bud, White Co., AR.  She married Robert Lee Garrett, born Jun. 15, 1913, died Feb. 21, 1996, also in Rose Bud.

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Photo credit: Clarice Milner Baggett

Burnett Mayo Hamilton and Rubinis H. "Ruby" Coffey

Ruby was the eldest of at least four daughters born to Elias and Fary Letcher Coffey Coffey.  She was born Mar. 20,1908 in West Virginia - probably Red Star or Harvey  in Fayette Co. - and died on May 11, 1967 at Beckley in Raleigh Co., WV.

Her father was a son of John and Annie Maria Ogden Coffey, born Dec. 6, 1875 in Amherst Co., VA and died in Harvey, WV on Nov. 14, 1949.  Her mother was Fary Letcher Coffey, a daughter of Jordon and Rebecca Pettis Grant Coffey, born at Irish Creek in Rockbridge Co., VA on Jul. 18, 1885 and died in Harvey on Jun. 17, 1947.  Both are buried at Hill Top Cemetery in Oak Hill, Fayette Co.

Ruby & Burnett Marriage Record

Ruby married Burnett Mayo Hamilton on Feb. 23, 1929 in Scarbro, Fayette Co.  Burnett was born Jan. 10, 1904 in Amherst Co., VA and died in Fayette Co. on Sep. 4, 1986.  I have not yet discovered his parents.  They are also buried at Hill Top.

I have located them in the 1930 Fayette Co. census but not yet in the 1940 enumeration.  In 1930 Burnett was enumerated as Bernard, a 25-yr old coal miner, born in VA; Ruby was 22.  They had only been married one year and had no children at the time.

The children that I have found, all born in Harvey, were:

Herbert Franklin, born Mar. 11, 1931, died Jul. 22, 1952 at Thurmond, Fayette Co. He was single, age 21 and died of accidental drowning.  He is also buried at Hill Top.

Betty Lou, born Feb. 19, 1933, died Feb. 22, 1933.  She was also buried at Hill Top.

Robert Elwood "Slick," born Apr. 2, 1934 and died Nov. 24, 1976 at Cincinatti in Hamilton Co., OH when his automobile was struck by a train.  He was married and was a resident of Warren, OH when he died.  I have not found his wife's name.  His death record does not give his burial location.

Charles Donald Hamilton was born Sep. 4, 1936 and died Aug. 30, 1937.  He too is buried at Hill Top.

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Blanch May Coffey, sister to Ruby was born Nov. 15, 1911 at Red Star and died May 5, 1940 at Beckley.  She married William Arthur Short (date unk.), born Aug. 11, 1903 at Knobs in Monroe Co., WV, died Aug. 26, 1988 in Fairlea, Greenbrier Co.,WV. They had at least one child, a daughter named Charlotte, born Jun. 22, 1934 in Raleigh Co.

Additions and corrections welcomed.

William Sullins & Docia Lou Coffey Orme

William Sullins and Docia Coffey Orme apparently left no descendants.  In 1900 and again in 1910 she reported to the census taker that she was the mother of none.  In 1920 and 1930 there were no children in the household.

William was born on Sep. 17, 1873 in Hunt Co., TX to William Melvin and Mary Eliza Sullins Orme.  He was the eldest of about seven children; his siblings were:  James, born Feb., 1876, Lela, Leota, born Aug., 1883, John Shelton, Walter, born Oct., 1899, and Charlsie Eliza, born Nov. 29, 1892, died Jan. 7, 1962 in Ranger, Eastland Co., TX.

Lela Orme was born Jan. 28, 1879 in Hill Co., TX.  She married William Walter Christian c1897 in TX.  He was born to J. W. & Mattie Christian on Nov. 30, 1873 in Parker Co., TX, died May 29, 1935 in Palo Pinto.  Lela died Feb. 21, 1932. Both are buried at Brad Cemetery in Palo Pinto Co.

John Shelton Orme was born Aug. 8, 1886 in TX,  married Ethel Irene Smith, a daughter of A. B. and Anna Hamilton Smith.  John died Aug. 15, 1964 in Palo Pinto and Ethel, born Nov. 16, 1888 in Brad died there on Jul. 26, 1966 and they are also buried at Brad Cemetery.

Docia Lou Coffey was born May 13, 1873 in TX and died May 19, 1962 in Strawn, Palo Pinto Co.  Her parents were William I. and Mary Ann Cantrell Coffey.  William I. was born to Charles Oliver and Diana Blansett on Nov. 27, 1830 in IL and died Feb. 8,1 902 in Meeker, Lincoln Co., OK.  Mary Ann was born c1833 in TN.

William I. Coffey Parentage

There is some confusion concerning the real mother of William I. Coffey.  Charles Oliver was born c1794 in KY and married on Oct. 18, 1815* in Burke Co., NC to Mary Sally Ramsey.  At least five children were born to this union:  Temperence, born c1823, Elizabeth, born c1825; Almira, born 1826, died 1905; Lavinia, born c1828, Wayne Co., KY; and Barbara, born c1829.

Charles later married Diana Blansett, born May, 1814 in Missouri and researchers of that union say he was William I. was born in 1830, followed by Sarah in 1837, Benjamin in 1843, Amanda Jane in 1845 and Eliza in 1849, all in MO.  A sixth child was Charles, Jr., born c1856 in TX.

I have a problem believing that Charles' first wife died in 1829 (at birth of Barbara) then, left KY that year for IL, met a woman, married her and had a son by 1830.  Because the second child Sarah was not born until c1837, I think perhaps that William was really the son of Charles' first wife, Mary Ramsey.  Of course, because we have no firm date for Mary's death, the wife in the 1840 census (next para.) could very likely be Mary Ramsey.  If it was her, it would get rid of my problem mentioned above.

Charles O. appeared in the 1840 Macon Co., MO census with a wife and three children.  There was a male child born between 1830 and 1835 (William was born 1830) and, a female child, born between 1835 and 1840 (Sarah was born in 1837).  A third female child was enumerated, born between 1825 and 1830.  Mary Ramsey Coffey's last known (to me) child was the daughter Barbara, born c1829. If the wife in this census was Mary Ramsey, then Sarah, born 1837 would also be her child.  This would put off any marriage of Charles to Diana by a year or two.

Charles appears next in the 1850 census for Collin Co., TX.  In that record, his wife is named "Deener," which is probably mid-19th century TX twang for Dinah. We don't know when they married, but probably after 1840.  If we move William and Sarah from the list of Charles' children with Diana and give them to Mary Ramsay, then the first born to Dinah would have been Benjamin in 1843, followed by Amanda in 1845, Eliza in 1849 and Charles, Jr. in 1856.

In 1860 Charles and Diana were in Kerr Co., TX; 1870 in Kendall Co., TX; in 1880 Kimble Co., TX and at his death in 1889 he was living in Menard, Menard Co., TX where he was buried in the Pioneer Rest Cemetery.  I have not found a record of Diana's death or place of burial.

William I. apparently like to roam as well.  In 1860 he and wife Mary Ann Cantrell were in Parker Co., TX.  In 1870 they were in Limestone Co; TX and in 1880 they were in Johnson Co., In 1900 they were living with Docia's family in Dallas Co., TX and, when he died in 1902 he was buried at the New Salem cemetery in Meeker, Lincoln Co., OK.

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*Research of Joe Newbrough, Sep., 1995.  Documentation not provided.

Isaac Newton & Dorthula "Thula" Coffey Perry

Isaac was a son of Alfred D. & Margaret Ann Cabbage Perry.  He was born Apr. 27, 1892 in Tennessee, probably Grainger Co.  He was the youngest of Alfred and Margaret's 10 (at least) children.  Alfred and Margaret were married Jan. 12, 1871 in Union Co., TN but were in Grainger by 1880, where they remained until death.

John Alfred Coffey Family

Dorthula was the third of 10 (at least) children born to John Alfred and Cynthia P. Monk Coffey.  She was born Nov. 19, 1896 in Tazewell Co., TN and married Isaac in about 1912.  They were parents of three (at least) children, all born in Grainger Co.:  Flora, born Oct. 3, 1912, died Dec. 7, 1925; Lilus, born Sep. 26, 1916, died Dec. 9, 1925; and Herbert, born c1919.  Flora and Lilus are buried along with their parents at the Cabbage Family Cemetery in Washburn, Grainger Co.

Isaac's siblings were:

William N., born Oct. 25, 1870, died Mar. 3, 1950.  He married Sarah C. Hamilton on Apr. 4, 1892 in Union Co., TN.  Sarah was born in TN in June., 1870.  William is buried at Cabbage but Sarah's burial place has not been confirmed.

Mahaley L., born Jan. 17, 1874.  She married Joseph H. Collinsworth c1890.  Shortly after the birth of their first child, Milbane in Dec., 1890, the family moved to TX where William was born in Nov., 1893 and Albert in 1895.  They were back in TN by 1898 and in Union Co. by 1900.

The next two children were Rebecca J., born Feb. 10, 1876, died Feb. 17, 1891; and Nathan McD., born Feb. 2, 1878, died Nov. 27, 1900.  Rebecca is thought to be at Cabbage.  Nathan was buried there.  Neither are known by me to have married.

Darcus was next, born Mar. 11, 1880, died Dec. 1, 1932.  She married George W. Nicely, born May 10, 1872, died Dec. 10, 1947.  Both are buried at Cabbage.

The next two were James Andrew, born Jul., 1882, died Nov. 4, 1941, and Mary Ellen born Jan. 23, 1885, died Jun. 1, 1979.  No further information.

Lundie was child number eight.  She was born Sep. 15, 1887 and died Jan. 7, 1952.  She married Thomas Alexander Yadon, born Jan. 28, 1884, died Jan. 28, 1967.  Both are buried at Cabbage.

David was next to last, just before Isaac.  He was born Apr. 27, 1892 and Oct. 10, 1890 and was buried at Cabbage.

Jesse C. & Nancy F. Allen Coffey

I recently wrote a blog about their son Allen F. Sherman Coffey and his wife Susan Virginia Hamilton.  But, Jesse and Nancy had 11 other children (10 lived to become adults) and Susan Houk, a descendant of Allen's brother Joshua has assembled a fantastic collection of photos, which she inherited from her mother.  She has also documented her findings not only on the Coffey family but also collateral lines.

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Jesse and Nancy's first child was Mary Jane, born Feb. 8, 1855 in Nelson Co., VA and died in Greenville, Augusta Co., VA on Jan. 13, 1901.  She married Virginian John Abraham Harris, born in Dec., 1842 to Henry and Angeline Hardbarger Harris on Feb. 26, 1874 in Sherando, Augusta Co.  He died in that county on Oct. 17, 1909 and buried with his wife at Pines Chapel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Greenville.

Their children were:

Eric H., born Jan. 17, 1878 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co., died there on Aug. 15, 1913.  Eric was married in Augusta Co. to Callie C. Nuckols, a daughter of Henry Juett and Georgianna Miller Nuckols on Aug. 29, 1902.  Eric died Aug. 15, 1913.  They had at least two children:  Nannie, born c1904 and Herman, born c1906.

Peachy Priscilla, born Sep. 6, 1880 in Lyndhurst, married c1899 to Marcellus S. Harris.  He was the son of Andrew A. and Elizabeth Painter Harris.  Marcellus died Oct. 9, 1950 in Augusta Co. and Priscilla died Feb. 20, 1964 in Waynesboro, VA.  They also had at least two children: Roy Baxter, born Jan., 1900 in Greenville, married Grace Catherine Dewall, daughter of Charles and Katie Chapman Dewall; and Virginia M, born 1910 in Charleston, WVa., married Willard Franklin Bell Sep. 5, 1928 in Berryville, Clarke Co., VA.  Her second husband was Frank O. Bellinger who she married in Staunton, VA on Feb. 27, 1934.

Anzy or Anzey, born Jul. 8, 1886 in Virgina, died Dec. 6, 1930 in Augusta Co.  She married Andrew Cleveland Lotts on Mar. 23, 1905 in Augusta Co.  Their children were Walter F., Jessie J., Bessie A., Margaret P. and Harry T.

George Hansford, born Jun. 18, 1891 at Vesuvius in Rockbridge Co., VA, died Nov. 9, 1968 in Waynesboro.  He married Gertrude Lyons, born Sep. 16, 1899 and died Jan. 25, 1969 in Augusta Co.  George and Gertrude are buried at Lyndhurst United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Their last child was Edgar Herman, born Jul. 8, 1894 in Augusta Co. and died there on Sep. 13, 1967.  He married Della Marie Hanger, born Oct. 17, 1907 to John A. and Sarah C. Kennedy Hanger.  She died in May, 1977 at Greenville.  Della was actually the grand-daughter of John and Sarah (her parents are unknown to me).  She appeared as their granddaughter in the 1920 census and as their "adopted daughter" in the 1930 census at Rivershead in Augusta Co.

The second child born to Jesse and Nancy was Joshua Elmo "Jerry", born May 3, 1857 in Staunton, VA, died Oct. 23, 1934 in Lima, Allen Co., OH.

Joshua married Emma Bridenbaugh* on Mar. 18, 1881 in Pike Co., OH.  Emma was the daughter of Valentine "Felty" and Elizabeth Loney Bridenbaugh.  Valentine was born in Lützel, Germany, then in Kassell-Hesse, now in Rhineland-Pfalz.  Elizabeth was born in Ohio c1827.  They were married in Pike Co. on Mar. 30, 1845.  Valentine died in June, 1896 but his exact burial place has not yet been located.


Emma gave birth to at least six children:

Elmer Coffey

Grace Ellis

Elmer J., born Mar. 28, 1833 in Waverly, Pike Co., died Dec. 16, 1929 in Springfield, Clark Co., OH.  He married Grace Ellis, born Feb. 12, 1886 in Monroe Co., MI, died Sep. 30, 1961 in Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., MI.  Elmer is buried at Brookside Cemetery in Tecumseh. 

Grace died on Sep. 30, 1961 and is also buried at Brookside.  Their children were:  Vera; Thelma; Elmer, Jr.; Vivian A.; Wenonah; Jack; and Robert E.

Edythe Beryl Coffey

Ben'j Hartman

Edythe Beryl, born Jun. 27, 1885 in Waverly, died Dec. 10, 1960 at Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH.  She married first Benjamin David Henry Hartman on Jul. 27, 1905 in Alma, Wabaunsee Co., KS.  He was born Jul. 9, 1886 in Clark Co. and died in Detroit, Wayne Co., MI on May. 19, 1948. 

Carmen Arlita Hartman Houk

They had at least two children:  Cecil Forest, born Dec. 17, 1906, died Feb. 2, 1955 and Carmen Arlita, born Jan. 23, 1912 in Troy, Miami Co., OH, died Oct. 25, 2004 in Akron, Summit Co., OH.  Carmen was the mother of Shirley Houk.  Her father was Arthur J. Houk, born Jul. 5, 1905 in Barberton, Summit Co., OH and, died there on Feb. 20, 1980.  Edythe and Benjamin were divorced sometime between 1910 and 1920.  Later in life, Edythe married Guy Harlow.  Edythe is buried at East Cairo Cemetery in Cairo, Allen Co., OH.  Mr. Hartman is buried at New Carlisle Cemetery in Clark Co., OH.

Asa Coffey

Patrick Coffey

Asa, born Mar. 1, 1889 in Rushtown, Scioto Co., OH, died Nov. 4, 1929 in Lenawee Co., MI.  He married first Wilda Sterling on Feb. 1, 1918 in Allen Co.  She was born Mar. 2, 1895 in Allen Co., IN and died in Auglaise, Camden Co., MO on May. 9, 1963.  Asa's second wife was Mable, born c1925.  Asa was the father of at least one child but at the moment I am unsure which of his wives was her mother.  Asa is buried at Cairo East.

Following Asa was Patrick, born Sep. 10, 1890 in Rushtown.  He married Cora Smith-Roush on Apr. 3, 1935 in Lima and died there on Aug. 6, 1958.  He is also at Cairo East.

Grover Coffey

Phronia Grafton

Grover followed on Aug. 22, 1892 in Rushtown, died Apr. 2, 1959 in Lima.  His wife was Phronia Grafton, born Feb. 4, 1896 in OH, died Jul. 12, 1988.  Both are buried at Cairo East in Allen Co.  Phronia was the daughter of Arthur Park and Mary Ballard Grafton.  She married her first husband Floyd L. Foreman  on Apr. 9, 1914 in Lima.  She had a daughter, Elsie, born c1916.  She and Foreman were divorced before 1920 when Phronia and Elsie were found living with her parents in Lima.  Shortly after that she and Grover were married and had at least two children, Glen, born c1924 and Gene, born c1929

Hazel Coffey

Their last child was Hazel, born Mar. 29, 1897 in Pike Co., died May 19, 1975 in Lima.  She married Gurney C. Spurlock on Apr. 9, 1917 in Hardin Co., OH.  He was born Aug. 14, 1892 in OH, died in Allen Co. on Jul. 22, 1971.  Hazel is buried at Cairo East cemetery in Cairo, Allen Co., OH.

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I will continue with family in later blogs.  Corrections and additions are welcomed.

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*The Bridenbaugh name has been spelled various ways including Breidenbaugh, Bridenbach,  and Brightenback.  I believe the more common spelling today is Breitenbach.

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Update Aug 28, 2011 - I have been reminded by e-mail from Jack Coffey, a grandson of Elmer J. and Grace Ellis Coffey, that Elmer and Grace had 12 children. There were five more born after Robert Ellis.

Mariella Coffey Lockwood

Betty G., born Feb. 15, 1921, died Jun. 23, 1982 in Howell, Livingston Co., MI. She married Earl Melvin Spangler, born Apr. 29, 1916 in OH, died Dec. 2, 1996 in Howell.

Mariella, born Jun. 23, 1922, died May 1, 2001 in CO. She married Emil Lockwood, born Sep. 29, 1919 in IL, died in Monroe Co., MO on Aug. 2, 2002.

Jerry Wayne Coffey

Charles Gillette, born Sep. 28, 1024 in Toledo, Lucas Co., OH, died May 3, 2003 in Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., MI. He married Dolores Jean McKenzie on Nov. 27, 1947 in Angola, Steuben Co., IN. She was born May 31, 1929 in LaSalle, Monroe Co., MI and died Dec. 14, 2003 in Lansing, Ingham Co., MI. Both are buried at Brookside Cemetery in Tecumseh.

Lee P., born Jun. 9, 1926 in MI, married Louise Smith. Lee was still living as of this date.

Jerry W., born Jan. 29, 1930 in Tecumseh and died there on Jun. 23, 1971. Jerry married Mary Patricia Spohr on Apr. 1, 1949 in Tecumseh. She was born Dec. 27, 1928 in MI and died in Tecumseh on Apr. 19, 2002. Both are buried at Brookside.

Elmer J. Coffey Death Certificate

Allen F. Sherman & Susan Virginia Hamilton Coffey

Allen was born on May 27, 1866 in Rockbridge Co., VA to Jesse C. and Nancy F. Allen Coffey. Jesse was a son of double first cousins, Garland and Nancy Coffey Coffey,  Garland was a son of William and Betsy Giles Coffey; Nancy a daughter of William's brother Rueben and his wife Nancy Giles, a sister to Betsy.

There were at least 12 children born to Jesse and Nancy and Allen was the sixth.  He married Susan, a daughter of Jacob and Susan Virginia Ramsey Hamilton on June 24, 1891 in Rockbridge Co.  Allen died on Apr. 13, 1913 in Lima, Allen Co., OH and was buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Bluffton, Allen Co.  Susan died in Cairo, Allen Co., OH on Sep. 23, 1912 and was buried at Cairo East Cemetery at Cairo.

She and Allen were parents of at least eight children:  John Henen, Jacob "Jake" William; Susan Emily; Minnie Bell; Anna May, Forest Allen, Naomi Pearl; and George Robert.  All of the children were left orphans at the death of Allen and some spent their early days in an orphanage in Ohio.  Information by other researchers that I have found on Ancestry.com shows that Anna and George were left to orphanages upon their father's death, but it is likely that at least Susan through George spent some time in one.

John Henen was born Aug. 29, 1892 in Augusta Co., VA and died in July, 1962 in Michigan, probably in Adrian, Lenawee Co. where he last appeared in the 1930 census.  His wife was Minnie A. Lowery, born in Ohio, 1894, to whom he was married on Jun. 20, 1914 in Sand Creek, Lenawee Co.  Their children were:  Wesley Allen, born Dec. 27, 1915 in MI, died Apr. 8, 1996 in Toledo, Lucas Co., OH; Coleman, born Feb. 11, 1918 in MI, died there on Jul. 22, 1995; Gatha, born c1920 in Allen Co., OH and John, Jr., born c1924 in MI.  John registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Adrian and was then described as being of medium height and build with dark brown eyes and hair.  At the time he resided with his wife and one child at 627 S. Center in Adrian and was employed by the Adrian Steel Casting Co. as an iron worker.

Jacob "Jake" William was born May 9, 1894 at Union Twp., Scioto Co., OH and died unmarried on Feb. 20, 1971 in Lucas Co., OH.  In 1920 he was found residing with his sister, Minnie B. Hilyard in Lima.

Susan Emily was born in Jan., 1896 in Virginia and died July 20, 1964 in Allen Co.  She married Francis L. Merricle on May 27, 1916 in Allen Co.  Francis was born Sep. 4, 1896 in Allen Co., and died in Lima on Jan. 8, 1953.  He was buried at Memorial Park in Lima.  I suspect that Susan is also there but cannot confirm that.  I know of only one child, Aline Virginia, born Jun. 22, 1919 in Lima and tragically died there on Aug. 11, 1919.  Her death certificate gives the cause of death as strangulation while nursing.  She is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lima.

Minnie Bill Coffey
Photo Courtesy of Shirley Houk

Minnie Bell was born in June, 1898 in Virginia and married Milton A. Hilyard, born c1897 in OH.  They were found in the 1920 census for Lima, Allen Co.  At the time, Milton was a machinist in a locomotive factory.  Her brother Jake, age 25, was living with them at the time.

Anna May was born Nov. 24, 1903 in Alleghany Co., VA and died on Dec. 16, 1993 at Gig Harbor in Pierce Co., WA.  She married Leo Albert Lind on May 20, 1939 in Pacific Co., WA.  Leo died on Jan. 24, 1991 in Tillamook Co., OR and is found at the Willamette Crematory in Tigard, Washington Co., OR.  Anna May was also cremated and her ashes can be found at the Tacoma Mausoleum in Tacoma, Pierce Co.  WW2 enlistment records show that Anna May entered the US Women's Army Corps on Dec. 2, 1942 at Portland, OR.

Forest Allen was born Sep. 15, 1906, probably in VA, died on May 17, 1959 in Allen Co.  He married Rosalie E. Hoffman, born in 1918, died 1993.  They are buried together at Gethsemani Cemetery in Lima.

According to information found on Ancestry.com, George Robert was born Feb. 23, 1911 in Virginia and died May 10, 1967 in Lima.  After his father died he was placed in the Allen County Children's Home in 1913 from which he was taken in 1915 by the John W. Miller family and eventually adopted by them in 1927, at which time he became George Robert Miller.  An obituary found on Ancestry reports that he was survived by his wife Lucille as well as sisters, Mrs. Naomi Helm, Mrs. Minnie Hilyard and Mrs. Raul [Almeda] Duff.  Almeda was a natural child of the Miller's and married Raul Duff in Mercer Co., OH on Nov. 27, 1902.

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Bibliography:

"Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Ohio.

"Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Ohio.

"Washington State County Marriages, 1858-1950," database, FamilySearch, (http://familysearch.org), from the Washington State Archives. Digital copies of originals housed in County Auditor Offices in various counties throughout Washington.

Ancestry.Com.

Fridley, Beth. "Augusta County, Virginia, Birth Records, 1862-1875".

Gethsemani Cemetery (Lima, Allen Co., OH). Grave marker data.

Lynn Coffey, editor, "Backroads," privately published newspaper, published at Love, Nelson Co., VA, 1981-2006.

Michigan Department of Vital and Health Records. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996.

Michigan Marriages 1868-1926.

OH. Franklin Co.. Columbus. Vital Statistics. Ohio Department of Health. Death certificate.

Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953, 1938-1944, and 1958-2002.

Oregon Death Index, 1903-98.

Rockbridge County Marriages 1853-1896, VA State Archives, Reel 43; Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center.  Obituary Index.  Online [http://www.rbhayes.org/hayes/].  Accessed various.

Social Security Death Index, Master File.

State of Florida. Florida Death Index, 1877-1998. Florida: Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.

United States Federal Census.

US World War II Army Enlistment Records.

World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.

Descendants of William and Catherine Campbell Ramsey

According to the Journal of the Clan Campbell, Vol. 17-19 (1990, page 52), Catherine Campbell, a daughter of James and Judith Fitzgerald Campbell, married William Ramsey in Amherst Co., VA.  Virginia marriage records report the date as Jan.. 10, 1805.

They were the parents of at least eight children; 5 boys and three girls. 

The first son was Joshua Madison, born Oct. 16, 1820 in Rockbridge Co., died Jan. 21, 1897.  He is buried at the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA.  He married Nancy C. "Nannie" Steele on Aug. 5, 1839 in Nelson Co..  Nannie was the daughter of John and Mary "Polly" Coffey Steele.  Mary was a daughter of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey and was born c1781.  Nannie died in Spottswood, Augusta Co., and is buried there at the Old Providence Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Joshua's second wife was Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of Reuben G. and Nancy Giles Coffey.  They were married on Sep. 30, 1850 in Nelson Co.  I haven't yet found Elizabeth's death date or burial place.

By his first wife, Joshua was the father of:

Melvina, born c1839

Delilah, born c1842.  She was twice married; first on Sep. 20, 1860 to Colston Harrison Coffey, a son of John W. and Margaret Susanna Coffey Coffey.  Colston died in the Civil War Dec. 2, 1862 at Lyndhurst in Augusta Co.  He was a member of Lamkin's Amherst-Nelson Light Artillery Regt.  He had enlisted in that regiment on Jul. 8, 1862.  Delilah's second husband was Cornelius W. Mahone, born 1842 in James City Co., VA.  They were married on Oct. 19, 1865 in Augusta Co.

Dabney Coleman, born Oct., 1842, married Feb. 9, 1864 in Augusta Co. to Lavenia E. Fauver, also born in Augusta Co. in 1842.

Andrew Jackson, born Jun. 2, 1846, died Mar. 23, 1889 in Nelson Co.  He married Lucy Ann Ham on Feb. 1866 in Augusta Co.

Mary Susan Ramsey, born c1848.

Susan Virginia, born c1849, married Jacob Hamilton.  Their daughter, also named Susan Virginia, was born Mar. 16, 1875 in VA, died Sep. 23, 1912 in Cairo, Allen Co., OH.  She married Allen P. Sherman Coffey on Jun. 24, 1891 in Rockbridge Co.  He was a son of Jesse C. & Nancy F. Allen Coffey.  Their children were:  John Henen, born 1892, died 1962; Jacob William, born 1894, died 1971; Susan Emily, born 1896, died 1964; Minnie Bell, born 1898, died 1960; Anna May, born 1903, died 1993; Forest Allen, born 1906, died 1959; Naomi Peark, born 1908; George Robert, born 1911, died 1967; Henry McDonald and Walter Lee.

Joshua and Elizabeth Coffey had at least one child, a daughter named Editha, born c1860 in Nelson Co.  Nothing more known.

Joshua's brother, Lewis Levi married Susan Jane Campbell on Feb. 1, 1838 in Rockbridge Co.  They were parents of at least 10 children:

Hezekiah, born c1837 in Nelson Co., married Susan Massie Fitzgerald, a daughter of Robert Alexander and Lucy Ann Coffey Fitzgerald.  Lucy Ann was a sister to Elizabeth, Joshua's second wife.

James M., born c1837, married Mary Sneed on Oct. 18, 1860 in Nelson Co.  Children were:  James, Jr., born c1862, married Sarah Jane Coffey Aug. 16, 1883, daughter of William Montebello and Cynthia Wood Coffey; Willie Jane, born c1867, married Henry B. Steele on Apr. 15, 1883 in Amherst Co.; Matthew Henry, married Delilah Coffey, sister to Sarah Jane, Aug. 21, 1887 in Amherst Co.; Stuart Lee, born c1871, married Annie Lee Coffey, sister to Sarah Jane and Delilah, Sep. 9., 1895 in Rockbridge Co.

Mary: No information

Elizabeth, born 1846 in Amherst Co., married Peach W. Cash on Aug. 28, 1878 in Amherst Co.

Richard Benjamin; Ambrose Coleman and Louisa:  No information

William Marshall, born 1851 in Amherst Co., married Mary E. Hamilton, daughter of James and Susan Hamilton, Apr. 4, 1877 in Amherst Co.

Leroy, born 1855 in Nelson Co., married Jun. 3,1878 to Mary "Mollie" Ramsey, a daughter of William F. and Fannie Tomlinson Ramsey.  William was a brother to Joshua and Lewis.

 Marcellus McDonald:  No information

William Harrison & Sara Zerilda "Relda" Coffey Parmley

Sara Zerilda "Relda" Coffey, born Dec. 28, 1858 in Monticello, Wayne Co., KY, died of cancer on Sep. 9, 1940 in Kingsville, Kleberg Co., TX, was the daughter of Andrew Jackson and Martha Jane Spann Coffey.

"Relda" was the wife of William Harrison Parmley to whom she was married on Aug. 18, 1880. William was born Sep. 13, 1858 in Wayne Co., KY and according to his death certificate died on Jan. 10, 1933 in Kingsville.

William is buried at Chamberlain Cemetery in Kingsville, and "Relda" is presumed to be there as well.

Their children were:

Robert Edward, born in Texas, died Nov., 1955, place unknown. He was a resident of Guadalupe Co., NM when he registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918. In that record he was reported to be of medium height and build with gray eyes and light colored hair. He was then a self-employed stock raiser and farmer, age 36, born Jun. 26, 1882. He lived with his wife, Vada C. Parmley in Pastura, Guadalupe Co. In 1920 he was residing with his family in Vaughn, Guadalupe Co. In that census he reported his place of birth as Kansas.

Update: Sep. 22, 2012:  Robert Married Nevada "Vada" Webb, c1903.  She was born Apr. 21, 1882 in AR and died Sep. 30, 1933 in Bryan Co., OK.  She is buried at  Bennington Cemetery, Bennington Bryan Co., OK.  Robert married a second time to a lady named Laura, married name probably Chambers.  In 1940 the family lived in Bryan Co. and there were two Chambers boys living in the household as "boarders."

Lenora, born Aug. 12, 1884 in Texas, died Nov. 20, 1884.

Charles Leroy, born in Nocona, Montague Co., TX, died Jun. 14, 1980 in Wood Co., TX. He registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Union Co., NM. He was of medium height with slender build, blue eyes and brown hair. He was 30 years old, born Jun. 4, 1887. He listed his residence then as Centerville, NM where he farmed. He was unmarried at the time of registration. He is said to have married and divorced Minnie Lee Conckle between 1908 and 1910.

Thaddeus McCall was born in Bonita, Montague Co. He married Lizzie Williams on May 28, 1915, probably in Hartley Co., TX where he registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917. He was also of medium height and build with gray eyes and brown hair. He was 26 years old, born Jun. 28, 1891 in Nocona. He was married with one child, and a resident then of Channing, TX where he was a stock man. According to his death certificate, Thaddeus died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Wichita Co., TX on May 12, 1941. He was buried at Dumas in Moore Co., TX.

William Frank, born Oct., 1892 in Texas, died Jun. 6, 1982. He married Ella Pearl Parman of Missouri in March, 1914. No other information.

Manna Netta, born Jun., 1896 in TX, died Nov. 5, 1930 in California. Married John Hamilton. No other information.

Update Sep. 22, 2012:  John Tomlinson and Manna Neta were married in 1920.  He was born Jan. 28, 1897 in GA and died in San Bernandino Co., CA on Jan. 25, 1980.  Manna died Nov. 5, 1930 in CA.  After Manna died, John remarried to a lady named Madeline M., born c1892 in PA.  No further info.

Dosia Ann, born Oct., 16, 1897 in TX, died Jan. 5, 1994 in Kleberg Co., TX. She apparently died unmarried since her death is recorded as Dosia Parmley.

Update Sep. 22, 2012:  She was unmarried and lived with her mother in Kleberg Co., TX in May, 1940.

Lula Serilda, born Aug. 14, 1899, probably in TX, died Jan. 12, 1984. She married Frank John Elzik on Jun. 24, 1922 in Kleberg. He was born Jan. 10, 1901 and died Jun. 20, 1967. 

Update Sep. 22, 2012:  Lula and Frank had at least two children:  Frank, Jr., born Aug. 1, 1923 in Kleberg Co., died there on Jul. 6, 1973 and was buried at Chamberlain Cemetery in Kingsville, Kleberg Co.  Their second child was Wilma Jean, born Mar. 24, 1926.  No further information on her.

Andrew Jackson Coffey was born c1825 in Wayne Co., KY and died Oct. 25, 1899 in Montague Co., TX.  He and Martha Jane were married on Jan. 8, 1850 in Wayne Co.  She was born c1834 in Wayne Co., and died there c1876.  Andrew was a son of Nathaniel and Louisa Durham Coffey.  Nathan was a son of Joel who was a son of James and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey.  James was a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves.

Elizabeth Cleveland is said by some to have been a daughter of Edward Coffey and Grace Cleveland; Edward being a brother to John.  I've seen no proof of this.

Both Edward and John were sons of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.

Corrections and/or additions can be sent to me at the above e-mail address.

Calvin and Elizabeth Fine Coffey

Calvin Coffey was a son of Nathan and Elizabeth Fine Coffey. He was born July 5, 1805 in Kentucky, and died Jan. 10, 1889 in Maury Co., TN. He married Elizabeth Fine, born Jun. 13, 1809, died Nov. 8, 1882 in Mary Co. The date of their marriage is not yet known.

Much of the children’s information, including dates of birth, marriage, death and burial information is from the website owned by researchers Bill and Juanita Flippin Hyde.

Calvin and Elizabeth* were the parents of 11 children:

Green, born c1825, married Sarah Sutton; Isaac Hamilton, born 1828, married Emily West; William Fine, born 1830, married Druscilla Homan; Nancy C., married Michael C. Rolen; Charlotte Catherine, born 1835, married Granville P. Willcoxson; Calvin J., born 1839, died 1849**; Mary L., born 1842, died 1896, married Isaah Gilbreath; Martha, born 1842, died 1898, married Martin V. West; Sarah, born 1845, died 1887, married William Thomas Sands; Virginia Isabel, born 1853, died 1860***; and Leullen, born c1857.

Click on the title link to visit the Hyde page, and read more about this family and their collateral lines.

Census and other sources:

1850 Maury Co., Dist. 11, dwelling/family 1485, Calvin Coffee, age 45, male, farmer, $1000, born KY; Elizabeth, age 43, female, born AL; Isaac H., age 21, male, born TN; William F., age 20, male, born TN; Nancy, age 18, female, born TN; Catharine, age 15, female, born TN; Mary, age 9, female, born TN; Martha, age 7, female, born TN; Sarah E., age 5, female, born TN; Wm. Johnson, age 16, male, farmer, born TN; Green Coffee, age 25, male, trader, born TN

1860 Maury Co., Dist. 11, Spring Grove PO, Dist. 11, Page 37, dwelling/family 255, age 55, male, farmer, $2000, $10,000, born KY; Elizabeth, age 51 <?>, female, born AL; Isaac H., age 32, male, farmer, born TN; Mary, age 18, female, born TN; Martha, age 16, female, born TN; Sarah E., age 14, female, born TN; Virginia, age 7, female, born TN; Savilla (Luellen), age 3, female, born TN [The 1860 Maury Co. census also contains entry for William G. Coffee , age 52, born SC, Elizabeth, age 50, born SC, in household with John Gilbrreath, age 82, and Wm. Gilbreath, age 23. Other Coffee members in household are: Agnes, age 25, Martha, age 17; Franklin, age 15; Sarah, age 12, and Esther, age 75]

1870 Maury Co., Dist. 11, Mt. Pleasant PO, Page 38, dwelling 244, family 255, Coff <sic>, Calvin, age 65, male, white, farmer, %4800, $3150, born KY, Elizabeth, age 62, female, white, keeping house, born AL; Lewellen, age 15, female, white, at home, born TN; Elizabeth Green, 18, female, white, cook, born TN; Fine, Spencer, age 63, male, white, at home, born AL; West, Martin, age 27, male, white, at home, born TN; Martha, age 25, female, white, at home, born TN; Isaac, age 2, male, white, born TN

1880 Maury Co., Dist. 11, ED167, page 24, dwelling 165, family 167, Coffee, Calvin, white male, age 74, married, farmer, born KY, parents born NC; Elizxabeth, white female, wife, married, housekeeper, born AL, parents born AL; Black, Acie <?>, black female, age 12, servant, single, houssegirl, born TN, parents born TN

*From Maury Co., TN Cemeteries and The Coffee/Coffey Scrapbook, Vol. 1, Gene Brewington [1970], Elizabeth, wife of Calvin, born Jun. 13, 1809, died Nov. 8, 1882, buried Gilbreath-Morrow Cemetery on old Morrow Place on the Scotts Mill to Southport Road.

**ibid: Calvin, born Mar. 28, 1839, died Aug. 7,, 1849; buried Gilbreath-Morrow Cemetery on old Morrow Plae on the Scotts Mill to Southport Road
***ibid: Virginia, daughter of Calvin, born Jan. 14, 1853, died Dec. 6, 1860, buried Gilbreath-Morrow Cemetery
ibid: Also buried in Gilbreath-Morrow is Isaac Coffee, born Jun. 19, 1828, died Feb. 18, 1868; masonic emblem on stone