Oscar Lee Coffey

Oscar Lee Coffey, born Sep. 7, 1878 in North Carolina to Levi Lafayette and Temperance "Tempie" Calloway Coffey, married Ollie Belle Calloway on Mar. 12, 1904[1] in Watauga Co., NC.

Ollie Belle was the daughter of William Henderson and Almirah M. "Myra" Johnson Calloway, born Mar. 10, 1886 in Watauga Co., NC.

Oscar is thought to be the same Oscar Lee Coffey who recorded several folk songs back in the late 1920s using the pseudonym Barney Dunroe.

After 12 years of marriage, he and Ollie had a child, a daughter, Ollie Jean, born Aug. 31, 1916 in Watauga Co., NC.  Ollie was graduated from Appalachian State and chose teaching as a career.  She taught for years in Lexington, NC city schools and others in Davidson Co., NC where she and her husband lived.

Ollie married Theodore Norman Owen on Jun. 18, 1941.[2]  He was 20 years her senior at the time and they lived together 30 years until his death on Apr. 8, 1971.  Ollie another 22 years before passing away on Jun. 7, 1993 at High Point in Guilford Co., NC.

Both are buried at the Lexington City Cemetery in Davidson Co.

Sadly, they had no children of their own.  Her obituary reads "There are no immediate survivors."[4]

Theo's parents were William Stanley and Elizabeth Cornelis "Bettie" Norman Owen. They were married Oct. 22, 1895 [3] in Halifax Co., NC.  He was born Nov. 22, 1855 and died Nov. 28, 1939.  Bettie was born in NC in 1868 and died Feb. 7, 1962 in Davidson Co.  She was buried at Lexington City Cemetery; William Stanley at Yadkin College Methodist Church Cemetery, also in Lexington.

---

[1]Historical Studies, Appalachian State University, Department of History (Editors Evelyn G. Shepherd and Brenda M. Greene), compiler, Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995).

[2]ibid

[3]North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979", http://tinyurl.com/jldto5k : 29 December 2014), Wm. Stanley Owens and Elizabeth Cornelia Norman, 22 Oct 1895; citing Halifax, North Carolina, reference Page 13; FHL microfilm 317,209.

[4]Deaths, The Greensboro News and Record, Greensboro, Guilford Co., NC, 8 Jun 1993 http://tinyurl.com/hlv7s3o

Ambrose Coffee, Irish Emigrant c1767

This Ambrose has often been confused with Ambrose Coffey, a son of the Rev. James and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey.  James was the eldest son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.

A timeline produced by an unknown author, appeared in the March, 1993 issue of the Coffey Cousins' Newsletter, provided the following:

The subject Ambrose was an Irish emigrant who was sent to the Virginia Colony in c1767/68 to work for John Hough (Huff), probably in Loudon Co.

1775/76 Came to Kentucky to Herrodsburg.

1776      Kentucky Historical Society Register, Vol. 30, page 127:  "The tide of emmigration [sic] to the Madison portion of Fincastle was slow but perceptible.  Among the arrivals of 1776, who were to become permanent settlers were --- Ambrose Coffee ---"

1775/76 Was a soldier stationed at Fincastle Co. (now Kentucky) Virginia.  The specific site was most certainly Ft. Boonesboro.  By 1888 Fincastle became Ky. Co. & in 1780 it was divided into 3 counties - Jefferson, Lincoln & Fayette & became a state in 1792.  Ambrose lived in Herrodsburg.

1775/84 Lived in Boonesboro.

1779      10 Oct. Gave deposition regarding lad title at Ft. Boonesboro, Ky.

1780/83 Marriage.

1783      First child, Sarah, was born.  She married James Mcguire.

1785/87 Moved to Ruskes Settlement & stayed a year. or two.

1785       Second child, William was born.  He married Elizabeth Lacy.

1786       Signed petition for division of Lincoln Co., Ky into Mercer, Lincoln, and Madison counties.  Madison Co., Ky. was organized Aug.22, 1786.

1787       Third child, Ambrose Jr., was born.  He mar. 1st. Lucinda Day, 2nd Margaret Norman, a widow.

1789/91 Mill bought by Col. Holder.  Stayed two more yrs.

1791      Moved to Spencer Creek.

1792/1809 Moved to Slate Creek.

1793      Fourth Child, Ailsey, born.  She married Elijah Brown.

1795      Sept. 17, Daniel Williams & wife, Violet (Couch), of Clark Co., Ky. to Ambrose Coffey of same --- for ten pounds --- 20 acrs [sic] on Spencer's Creek, being part of Edward Williams' 400 acres pre-emptioned [sic] and adjoining same. (Daniel and Ambrose were Jim Sparks'* 3rd G-Grandfathers.)

17 Aug 1797     Fifth child, Rebecca Jane, born.  She mar. Wm. S. Lykins.

2 Jan 1799         Ambrose Coffee, deposed, at a spring near Joel Estill's fence, that "about 17 or 18" years ago, he, Ambrose Coffee had camped near this spelling. (1781/82)

1799     Sixth child, Elijah, born.  He mar. 1st Margaret Patrick 2nd Elizabeth Bowen.

1801     Seventh child, Raleigh, born.  He mar. Annis Anne Anderson.

1803     Eighth child, Jesse, Born.

21 Nov 1809  Kentucky Historical Society Register, Vol. 30, p136.  One of the most noted cases (of land disputes) was that of Green Clay vs. Henry Banta.... The depositions taken embrace the name of nearly all the early prominant [sic] settlers of the county.  The positions of the various localities named called into requisition the knowledge of such old hunters, fort builders and Indian scouts, including --- Ambrose Coffee...

1809     In his deposition in the Clay/Banta land dispute, Ambrose Coffee deposed that he first became acquainted with Muddy Creek in the year 1777 as he had come to Kentucky in 1776.  He claimed he had been sold to John Huff/Hough for passage money to America from over the "High Seas."  Ambrose Coffee was referred to as that "Irish Convict" from Ireland in other dispositions in the Clay/Banta dispute.

1810     Census of Montgomery County, Kentucky.

             363 Coffee, Ambrose  1M under 10  1 F 10-26 1 M 16-26  2 F 16-26 1 M over 45  1 F over 45

1820     Death in Montgomery County, Kentucky

Footnote 1:  The above Ambrose Coffee, is in no way to be confused with the Ambrose Coffee [sic] who came later to Kentucky from North Carolina.  They are two separate individuals and as far as cam [sic] be ascertained had no immediate relationship.  Our Ambrose Coffee, having come directly from Ireland to Kentucky [sic] spelled the mane [sic] Coffee, whereas the other often used Coffey/Coffy as the spelling.**

Footnote 2:  County changes in Kentucky during the 1700 and 1800's.

1772...Virginia Colony created Fincastle County which included all of Kentucky.

1774...James Harrod settled Harrodsburg.

1775...Boonesboro, Marison County settled.

1776...All of Kentucky designated as Kentucky County, VA.

1780---Kentucky County, VA. was divided into 3 counties--Fayette, Jefferson and Lincoln.

1790...There were nine counties---Mason..1789; Bourbon...1786; Woodford..1789; Fayette..1780; Madison..1786; Jefferson..1780; Mercer..1786; Nelson..1785; and Lincoln..1780

1792...Kentucky became a state.

* No idea who Jim Sparks is/was of date this timeline was created.  Punctuation, spacing, etc. is not consistent in the original.  Reproduced here as close to original as possible. I have made no effort to verify the accuracy of this information..

Through the magic of DNA, Edward researchers know this Ambrose was not related to Edward.

Columbus Iverson Philyaw

Columbus, born Aug, 16, 1867 in Caldwell Co., NC, was a son of Gideon and Martha M. Teague Philyaw.

According to North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979, Columbus married Hanna J. Vance on Aug. 2, 1888 in Johns River Twp., Caldwell Co., NC.  That record names her parents as Wesley and Elizabeth Vance.

Hannah was born in Jul., 1873 in NC and died May 5, 1915 in Collettsville, Johns River Twp., Caldwell Co.  She died on May 4, 1915 in Globe Twp. and, her death certificate names her parents as John Hicks, a native of Tow River Twp. in Avery Co., and Betty Vance, a native of Mitchell Co., NC.

The part about her parents is a bit confusing to me.  Those who know which is accurate are invited to contact me.

There were at least 11 children born to this couple, a few of whom married into the Coffey family:

Edward W, born Apr., 1891, married Etta Baker on Nov. 28, 1920 at Mortimer, Wilson Creek Twp., Caldwell Co.  They were in the 1930 census at Mortimer and there were no children in the household.  Death records have not been found.

Martha Elizabeth, born Jan., 1893, married John S. Crisp on Aug. 4, 1912 in Johns River Twp., Caldwell Co. John was born Jul. 4, 1888 in NC and died in John River Twp. on Nov. 7, 1936.  I have not found another marriage record or a death record for Martha.  They had at least six children:  Loucile [sic]; Joseph; Morris; Forest Columbus; Jewel; and John Vernon.  John is buried at the Crisp Family Cemetery at Collettsville.  Martha is probably there as well but I have found no record of her death.

Margaret A. "Maggie," born May 1895 in Caldwell Co., died there in Feb., 1977.  She married William Pope on Dec. 18, 1914 in Globe Twp.  Their children were at least five:  May E.; Fred W.; Arlie T.; Hannah; and Wayne G.  Margaret is buried at Rocky Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Collettsville.  William is probably buried there as well but I have found no record of his death.

Gideon Fred, born Sep. 20, 1897 in Caldwell Co., died in Morganton, Burke Co. on Nov. 24, 1970.  He married Ida Jane Coffey, a daughter of Finley Carroll and Connie Rebecca Tolbert.  Ida was born in Caldwell Co. on Aug. 6, 1902 and died Nov. 16, 1972 in Valdese, Burke Co.  Their children were at least six:  Leona Mae; Connie; Louise; Lucille; Noma [sic]; and Ransom (?).  Gideon and Ida are buried at the Tolbert Family Cemetery in Mortimer.

Daniel Wesley, born Dec. 21, 1899, died in Lenoir on Jan. 22, 1981.  He married Emma Rich on Nov. 21, 1920 in Wilson Creek Twp., she the daughter of John Robert and Sarah Cordelia Taylor Rich, and born c1905.  Her death record has not been found.  His burial place is not known to me.  Their children were at least four:  Lois, Edith, Coleen and Margaret.

Oscar R., born c1903.  No other information.

Rooney N. was the name of the child who occupied this place in the birth order in 1910.  She was age 5.  In  1920 her name appears to be Veller, and in 1930 her name was Velma.  Velma is said to have married Arvil Harden Coffey but, I have not found a marriage record.  She died on Apr. 20, 1993 in Caldwell Co., and was buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock.  Arvil, born Jul. 12, 1914 to George Wiley and Ida Belle Norman Coffey, died Aug. 25, 1987 and is also at White Springs.  I have not located them in the 1930 census and have no children for them.

Dewey George, born Feb. 10, 1907, probably in Caldwell Co., married Lucy Mae Coffey, sister to Ida Jane who married Dewey's brother Gideon.  They were married on Jun. 19,1828 in Lenoir and had at least three children:  Claude Wilson; Ma Gene and Sherl [sic] Allen.  Dewey died Apr., 1980 and Lucy on Mar. 23, 1985 in Lincolnton, Lincoln Co., NC.  Dewey is buried at the Tolbert Family Cemetery in Upton, Caldwell Co.  Lucy is probably there as well.

Arley A., born c1909.  No other information.  I wonder if his name was Early or Orlie?

Torrance Iverson, born 1911, died Dec. 24, 1966 at Black Mountain in Buncombe Co.  He married Cora Lee Shoe, daughter of Mansfield Hoover and Hattie Mae Belle Shoe.  She was born Oct. 25, 1920 in NC and tied in Newton, Catawba Co. on Oct. 15, 2011.  Both are buried at Rocky Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Collettsville.  I have no children for them.

The last child known to me to be born to Columbus and Hannah was Irene, c1914.  She married Ira Roosevelt Bristol, a son of James Greenberry "Jim" and Elsie Jane Bell(e), on Oct. 30, 1934 in Caldwell Co.  Ira was born May 11, 1911 in NC and died in Valdese on Feb. 22, 1969.  He is buried at the Bristol Family Cemetery at Collettsville.  Irene died on Nov. 4, 2002 in Blowing Rock and is probably also buried at the family cemetery.

In just a few days the 1940 census will available and I will hopefully, be able to expand my research on all of the NC Coffey and allied families.

The Archie Coffey Store in Edgemont, North Carolina

While searching for a history of Edgement, NC I ran across a website prepared by Bob Heafner.  Bob used his site to describe a visit he made in the early 60's and again in the 80's to the Pisgah National Forest.  When first there, he stayed in Edgemont and visited with Archie Coffey in his general store.

Bob described Archie as: 

...a man that typifies mountain people everywhere; a person who has faced hardships and danger without losing faith; a person who has endured the changes of time and natural disasters only to become stronger in character and in faith. Archie Coffey is a mountain man and nothing, not economic hard times or natural disasters can separate him from his mountain home and way of life.

Archie provided a first hand account of how he and many of his family and friends climbed Jonas Ridge on Aug. 13, 1940 to escape the Wilson Creek flood that destroyed Mortimer, NC and nearly destroyed Edgemont.

There are a number of Coffey men named Archie that came out of Avery and Caldwell Counties, but I believe the Archie mentioned in Heafner's work is Archie L. Coffey, born in Wilson Creek Twp on Feb. 25, 1911, died Jan. 25, 1986* in Lenoir. His parents were Augustus F. "Gus" and Betty Beard Coffey. Archie's wife was Buena Adeline Silver, a daughter of David Alonzo "Lonnie" and Rose Zenea Norman Coffey.

You North Carolina Coffey descendants should read this one-page "tour" of the area. Click here, or on the blog title to read.

---

* Death Record: Name Archie Coffey Gender Male Burial Date 28 Jan 1986 Burial Place Edgemont, N.C. Death Date 25 Jan 1986 Death Place Lenoir, Caldwell, North Carolina Age 74 Birth Date 23 Feb 1911 Birthplace Avery, N.C. Occupation Postmaster/Owner General [store] Married Spouse's Name Betty Moore Minyard Coffey Father's Name G. F. Coffey Father's Birthplace Mother's Name Betty Beard Coffey Mother's Birthplace Indexing Project (Batch) Number B06346-3 System Origin North Carolina-EASy Source Film Number 1991199 Reference Number v 0B cn 581

Sarah Delilah Coffey

This beautiful woman was the daughter of James Wilson and Louisa T. Norman Coffey.  She was born Feb. 11, 1864 in Morgan Co., IN and is said to have died on Jun. 7, 1897 in Svenson, Clatsop Co., OR.

Sarah Delilah Coffey

Not much is known about Sarah.  She was apparently a musician, but her life is rather a mystery to researchers.  She also had three children, possible without benefit of marriage.  She is credited with producing three sons:  Virgil Benjamin, born c1891 in Washington Co., IA and twins, James Norman and Clarence, born Sep., 20, 1896 in IA.  Nothing more is known.

Photos are courtesy of Dorothy Crawford (Dec'd)

Jesse Calton & Julia Elizabeth Hollifield Coffey

Jesse Calton was born Mar. 27, 1867 at Coffey's Gap in Watauga Co., NC to George Washington "Wash" and Matilda "Tilda" Coffey Coffey.  Wash was the son of William Clayton and Sarah Greene Coffey while Tilda was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy A. Raines Coffey.  William was uncle to Jesse, their common ancestor being Jesse and Margaret Edmisten Coffey.

Julia Hollifield was born Mar. 31, 1873 in Watauga Co. and died Jul. 11, 1957 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  She and Jesse were married May 7, 1892 in Watauga Co.  Her parents were Wiley and Mary Ann "Annie" Reid Hollifield.  Another daughter, Flora Ellen Hollifield married Reuben Finley Coffey on Dec. 14, 1893 in Caldwell Co.

Jesse and Julia were parents of at least nine children:

George Wiley, born Mar. 20, 1890, died Jan. 25, 1948 in Wilkes Co.  He married Ida Belle Norman on Apr. 11, 1912 and they were parents of at least nine children.  Ida was born in 1886 in Lenoir and died there in 1974.

Charles Alexander "Charlie" was born Jul. 2, 1894 in Caldwell Co., and died May 17, 1966 in Lenoir.  He married Julia Evelyn Knight on Sep. 4, 1915 in Watauga Co.  Julia was born Sep. 13, 1896 and died Jan. 21, 1981.  They were also parents of at least nine children.

Annie, born Feb. 16, 1896, died Jul. 4, 1976. No other information.

Thomas Leroy "Tom", born Oct. 13, 1898, died Feb. 11, 1974 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  Tom married Alice Sanders on Jul 19, 1919 in Watauga Co.  She was the daughter of Eve and Emma Sumlin Sanders of Caldwell Co.  Alice died Feb. 24, 1962 in Blowing Rock.  They were also parents of at least nine children.

Ella, born Feb. 22, 1901, died Jul. 15, 1983 in Morganton, Burke Co., NC.  Ella married a Mr. Smith.  No other information.

Rev. Harley Clint, born Jul. 11, 1903 in Upton, Caldwell Co., died Mar. 5, 1972 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC.  He married twice, first to Dovie "Texie" Bolick on May 8, 1927 in Watauga Co., and second to Myrtle Thelma Andrews on Nov. 20, 1930 in Winston-Salem.  I know of only one child, a daughter Claudine, born to his union with Myrtle.  Texie died of dysentery after a little over a year of marriage, on Jun. 16, 1928.  Myrtle, a daughter of William M. and Manarky Victoria Shook Andrews died Nov. 13, 1979 in Valdese, Burke Co., NC.

Pearl Nevada, born Feb. 8, 1906, died Feb. 25, 1993.  She married first James Samuel Day on Apr. 22, 1923 in Watauga Co.  James, a son of James Mordichi and Annie Marie Reid Day, was born Aug. 5, 1899 in Watauga Co. and died there on Mar. 13, 1956.  She later married James' brother Spencer who died in Caldwell Co. in 1965.  Pearl died Feb. 25, 1993.

William Glenn, born Apr. 11, 1909, died Feb. 24, 1977 in Alexander Co., NC.  He married Annie Rivers "Nannie" Coffey, a daughter of Jesse Cleveland and Eliza Loudermelt Coffey.  Nannie was born Jan. 1, 1910 in Avery Co., NC and died Apr. 15, 1952 in Boone, Watauga Co.  I know of one child, Jerry Guy Coffey, born Sep. 12, 1933, died Jan. 25, 1998.  Jesse Cleveland and Jesse Calton were first cousins.

Bertha Vienna, born Sep. 2, 1912, died Jan. 14, 1970 in Blowing Rock.  She was the second wife of Adren Reece Moody, born Dec. 6, 1909 in Watauga Co., died Sep. 12, 1968 in Blowing Rock.  Adren was the son of Arthur C. and Rota Marticia Estes Moody.  He and Bertha were the parents of at least two children:  Teresa Geraldine, born May 7, 1932, died Jan. 8, 1994 and Catherine Elizabeth, born May 7, 1935, died Jan. 23, 1993.  Adren's first wife was Edna Porter with whom he had at least one child, Louise born Nov. 15, 1928.

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

Spainhour Coffey

Spainhour Coffey was a son of Larkin and Lessie Bauguess [sic] Coffey, born Feb. 28, 1912 in Wilkes Co., NC.  He died on May 30, 1981 in Yakima, Yakima Co., WA.

Spainhour, as a given name, is unusual.  I suspect that it comes from Catherine Spainhour who married Israel Boone Coffey in Caldwell Co. on Sep. 19, 1867.  Israel was a very distant cousin of Spainhour, their common ancestor being Thomas Coffey, a son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.

Spainhour married "Toots" Norman on May 31, 1934 in Benton Co., WA. So far, I have not been able to locate any information on "Toots," and would like to know more about her.

Please contact me if you can tell me more about "Toots."

Sarah Deliah Coffey (1864-1897)

Sarah Deli[l]ah was the daughter of James Wilson and Louisa T. Norman Coffey. She was born Feb. 11, 1864 in Morgan Co., IN and died on Jun. 7, 1897 in Svenson, Clatsop Co., OR. She was 33 years old.

Sarah was apparently an accomplished concert violinist, who did not make time to marry. She did bear at least three children, however.

Her first known child was Virgil Benjamin (Bert Snyder) Coffey, born c1891 in Washington Co., IA. Virgil was apparently given up for adoption and was renamed Bert Snyder.

The second and third child were twins: James Norman and Clarence, born Sep. 20, 1896 in Iowa.

Sarah's father, James Wilson was born May 10, 1882 in Pulaski Co., KY, married Louisa, born Jun. 23, 1826 in TN, on Dec. 11, 1842 in Morgan Co., IN. He died Jul 15, 1889 in Wellman, Lime Creek Twp., in Washington Co., IA. Louisa died Dec. 24, 1912 in Warrrenton, Clatsop Co., OR.

Their other children were:

Lemuel Lewis Moses, born Mar 6, 1844, died May 23, 1936

Unnamed, born c1845/46

John Taylor, born May 1847, died Jun. 6, 1926, married Sarah Adeline (Sofie) Gates on Jun. 12, 1880 in Wahkiakum Co., WA. Both died in Svenson, Clatsop Co., OR in the late 1920s.

Benjamin Franklin, born Jan. 28, 1850, died Sep. 28, 1928.

James Norman, born Sep. 30, 1853, died 1934, married Laura Ellen Hays in Lime Creek Twp., Washington Co., IA on Sep 27, 1877. James died in 1934 in Solano Co., CA; Laura on Sep. 19, 1902 in Clatsop Co.

Joseph Lone, born May 19, 1856 in Lime Creek Twp., died Aug. 21, 1927 in West Chester, Washington Co., IA. He married Susanah Wellman on Oct. 3, 1876. She was born May 13, 1850 in Indiana and died Apr. 14, 1919 in West Chester.

Victor Hugo, born May 30, 1858 in Morgan Co., IN, died Apr. 25, 1953 in Astoria, Clatsop Co. He married Anna Mary Brandt, born Aug. 7, 1862 in Mercer Co., NJ, and died Jun. 7, 1941 in Clatsop Co., on Dec. 18, 1881 in Washington Co., IA

Paschal Davis, born Apr. 23, 1861 in Morgan Co., IN, died Nov. 7, 1900 in Washington Co., IA

The last child was also unnamed and was born and died c1866.

It is unlikely that the father(s) of her three children will ever be identified. However, it would be satisfying to learn of the descendants of those children. I would also be interested in learning more about Sarah's professional life.

John Taylor Coffey (1847-1926)

John Taylor Coffey

John Taylor Coffey was a son of James Wilson Coffey and Louisa T. Norman. He was born May 23, 1847 in Morgan Co., IN, and died Jun. 6, 1926 in Svenson, Clatsup Co., OR. He married Sarah Adeline (Sofie) Gates on Jun. 12, 1880 in Wahkiakum Co., WA.

His obituary:

"Death claimed John Taylor Coffey here yesterday. He was 79 years old and a native of Indiana. For the past 43 years he has been a resident of Svensen. Mr. Coffey is survived by seven children, four sons, F. W. of North Bend, S. N. of Kalama, A. B. of Svensen and T.T. of Grants Pass, and three daughters, Mrs. Evelyn Knutsen, Mrs. Frankie Larsen and Mrs. Ida Larsen, all of Svensen, also five brothers, L.M. Coffey of Svensen, B.F. of Hammond, J.N. of Vallejo, Cal. V.H. of Warrenton and Lane of Iowa. Funeral services will be under the direction of John Gilbaugh and will be held at Svensen Thursday afternoon at 2 O'clock, with Rev. Ferguson officiating.  Interment will be at the Svensen Cemetery. The G.A.R. of which Mr. Coffey was a                                                 member, will take part in the funeral services."

Sofie was the daughter of Thomas Waterman Gates and Cynthia York. She was born Jul. 31, 1860 in Milwaukie, Multnomah Co., OR*, and died Nov. 28, 1929 in Svenson.

Together they were the parents of 10 children: La Rina; Florian W.; Sherman Nathan; Eveline Louisa; Franklin Louetta; Emma May; Ida L.; Augustus Benjamin; Tillman Taylor; and Lemuel D.

John Taylor Coffey was brother to Lemuel Lewis Moses Coffey.

Update, Sep. 3, 2015:  According to the 1890 Veteran's census for Clatsop Co., OR, Knappa, Bear Creek Pct., John reported that he had served with the 70th Oregon Infantry Regt. from Mar. 18, 1864 to Aug. 18, 1865 for a total of 1.5 years.  His obituary reports that he was 79 years old at the time of death and had lived in Svensen, Clatsop Co. for 43 years. Prior to that, he was in Wahkiakum Co., WA where he and Sarah Gates were married. So, is this John T. the same John T. that served in the 17th Indiana Regiment?

Sarah Adeline (Sofie) Gates

Sarah Adeline (Sofie) Gates
(1860-1929)



Photos and obituary are courtesy of Dorothy Louise Crawford, Union City, CA, a descendant of Lewis Moses Coffey

*The larger portion of Milwaukie is in Clackamas Co., while a small portion extends into Multnomah Co.