Judge Silas DeMarcus Coffey

Contributed by
Kevin Coffey

"Silas D. Coffey was born on a farm in Owen County, Ind. on February 23, 1839.  His parents were Hodge R. [Rayburn] and Hannah [Wilson] Coffey, the former a native of Tennessee*, and the latter of North Carolina.

"Our subject's early education was acquired through the medium of common schools of that day, until, in the year 1860, he entered the State University at Bloomington, where he remained until the breaking-out of the late rebellion, when he enlisted, first in the three months' service, and then for a year.  When President Lincoln issued his 75,000 call, his regiment, the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, responded, and was mustered in for three years, or during [sic] the war.  He remained on active duty until June, 1863, when he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, serving with it until the term of his enlistment expired the next year.

Judge Silas DeMarcus Coffey

"The Fourteenth Indiana Infantry won an enviable reputation in the field, and of its number none were more deserving that Mr. Coffey.  When he reached home, he determined to enter into the practice of the law, and for that purpose formed a partnership with Allen T. Rose, a prominent and influential member of the bar at Bowling Green.  In the autumn of 1868, this connection was dissolved by mutual consent, and another one formed with Maj. W. W. Carter, which continued until after Mr. Coffey was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court.

"In 1866, he was the candidate on the Republican ticket for Prosecuting Attorney for the district composed of the counties of Owen, Greene, Clay and Putnam, Ind., making the race against Hon. John C. Robinson, but the district being largely Democratic, he was of course defeated.  In 1873, he was candidate for Circuit Judge in Clay and Putnam Counties, and the same reason operated to prevent his election, although running far in advance of his ticket.  His opponent was Judge Solon Turman, of Greencastle, Ind.

"On March 25, 1882, Mr. Coffey was appointed by Gov. Porter to fill the unexpired term of Judge Turman.  In June, 1882, he was nominated, by acclamation of the Republican Judicial Convention for the same position.  The counties of Clay and Putnam being intensely Democratic, it was at the time supposed to be impossible to elect a Republican nominee, but in the fall he was elected over the Democratic candidate, James J. Smiley, by a majority of 655, carrying his own county (which gave a Democratic majority of 190 on the State ticket) by a majority of 128.

"November 1, 1864, Judge Coffey married Miss Caroline L. Byles, daughter of William and Sarah Byles, of Baltimore, Md., and to this union have been born one son and three daughters.  As an attorney he is possessed of find social qualities, is quiet and unobtrusive, and of undoubted integrity.  He also stands high as a member of the Masonic fraternity."

[Judge Coffey and Caroline Byles Coffey were parents of Ida L., born c1867 in IN; Emma J., born c1871 in Clay Co., who married Dr. Renos Harlan Richards in Clay Co. in 1898; and Nettie, born c1874 in Clay Co.  The were also parents of one son, Robert Wallace Coffey, born 1878 in Brazil, Clay Co.  Robert married first to Alice Louise Wright, in 1907 Clay Co. and, second to Hallie Audrey Steuerwald in Owen Co. in 1945.]

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Source: Charles Blanchard, Editor, Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana: Historical and Biographical. Illustrated. (Chicago, IL: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884), Page 345.

*In census records he always reported his birth in NC.

See earlier blog announcing death of Judge Coffey at http://tinyurl.com/nntajp5

Alfred Alphonso and Julia Ann Dawkins Cofffey

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By his own hand, Alfred wrote that he and Julia were married in 1857. He would have been about 26 years old at the time, having been born in Wilkes Co., NC in 1831.  and, according to his autobiography, had lived a very adventurous life up to then.

Julia was the daughter of John and Mary Wheeler Dawkins, born in GA in Feb., 1838 and was about 20 years old when she married Alfred.  The Dawkins lived "in Habersham County [GA], 4 miles south of Tallulah Falls on Panther Creek."

The Coffey family appeared in the 1860 census at Rabun Co., GA with one child, a son, Newton Walter Coffey, born in July, 1858.  He and Julia had another child, Mary Angie, born in Sep., 1860.  By 1861 Alfred was off on another adventure, this time as a soldier in the 52d Georgia Infantry[1].  He survived the war and from about 1862 through 1882 they added another eight children to their family.

The family moved around a bit during those years.  In 1870 they were in Rock Spring, Walker Co., TN.  In 1880 and 1900 they were in Hamilton Co., TN.  Julia died in Mar., 1906 and by 1910 Alfred was an aged gentleman who sought shelter with his son Starlin [sic] in Marion Co., TN.  Alfred died in Dec., 1915 and was buried near Julia at Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga.

All of their children were born in GA, and probably Rabun Co. specifically.

Their son Newton died in Rabun Co. in 1860 but, his burial site is unknown.

Mary Angie or, Angie as she was known, married Judson Buchanan of Monroe Co., IN in 1883 in Hamilton Co., TN.  He was a Coffey descendant as well.  His father was John Hamilton Buchanan and his mother was Miriam Coffey, the daughter of Rev. Reuben A. and Martha "Polly" Dowell Coffey.

Alfred A., probably Jr., was born c1862 but nothing else is know.

Starlin Pinkston was the fourth child, born in Apr., 1864.  He married Emma Raulston, 1879-1945, daughter of Robert and Anne Beene Raulston in Hamilton Co., c1898.  Children, all born in Marion Co., TN, were Earl Leonard, Vesta V., Stella, Ethel Mae (died at age 2), Willie May (died at age 11) and Charles.  Starlin died in Marion Co. in 1941.  Emma died in 1945 and both are buried at the Bean-Raulston graveyard in South Pittsburg, Marion Co.

Jackson Lafayette Coffey

Ellie Horton

Jackson Lafayette, born in 1865, married Ella Mahle "Ellie" Horton, daughter of W. A. and Annie Gibson Horton, c1886 in probably TN.  They raised at least 10 children:  Clara, Charles Clifton, George Clinton, Lillie Mae, Nellie G., William Dewey, Julia Ann, Robert Lee, James Cornelius and DeWitt Clifton [sic].  Jackson and his family were in Marion Co., TN in 1900 and by 1910 they were farming in Navarro Co., TX.  They remained in that county until 1920 when they were in Henderson Co., TX but back in Navarro by 1930.  Jackson died there in 1946; Ellie lived until 1956.  They are both buried at the Hamilton-Beeman cemetery in Retreat, Navarro Co.  It appears that most of their children lived and died in Navarro Co. and are buried there.  Son George Clinton "Clint"  Charles Clifton "Cliff" died in Chattanooga and was buried there in 1974.

Elizabeth Adeline "Addie" was born in 1867 and died in Chattanooga in  Jan., 1941.  She married William Henry Waldron in TN in 1887.  He was a native of Virginia, born there in 1858. He died just a few days before Addie, in Jan., 1941.  Both are buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Chattanooga.  I know of two children:  Mae Virginia, born c1890 in AL, married Conrad Fred Stier of GA in 1908, Jefferson Co., AL; and a son, Carroll, born Oct., 1892.

Sylvester A., born 1870, married Minerva "Minnie" Richards c1892 in GA.  Minerva was born in GA in 1874.  They had at least 10 children:  Charles, Mary J. (Eunice?), William Armstrong; Aldred A., Ross, Cathleen, Donald, James and an infant that was born in Feb., 1917 and died in June of that year.  Sylvester died in 1930 and is buried at Chattanooga Memorial Park.  I have not found Minnie's death record.

Talullah Virginia "Lula," born 1874, married William Norval Taggart on Hamilton Co., in 1899.  William was a native of Missouri, born there in about 1874.  They had at least two children, Julia, born c1895 and Norvell, a son, born c1897.  William died in 1958, Lula in 1958.  Both are buried at Greenwood in Chattanooga.

David Lee, born 1876, married Martha Hyatt, date unknown but probably close to 1900.  She was a native of NC, born there in 1883.  They had at least one child, Robert Lee, born 1903, died 1977.  All are buried at Greenwood.

Last but not least is Effie Thelma, born 1882.  She married George Thomas Ogburn c1902 in TN.  They had at least two children, a daughter Merita, born c1904 and a son, Junior, born c1907.  Nothing more is known.

More detailed information is available on the CD and DVD.

Corrections and additions welcomed!

Jack

[1] "Georgia Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865"

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

Wesley W. Coffey - Request for Help

My original blog on Wesley W. Coffey.

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Today I received the following e-mail from Hal Shaw.  Please contact him directly if you can help with his request:

Dear Sir.

I am Hal Shaw,  I am looking for a photo of Wesley Coffey.  Wesley was Worshipful Master of the Spencer Masonic Lodge #95 in 1899.

The lodge has photo of all the Worshipful Master  hanging on the wall of honor from 1849 to the present, that is all but 7.  We are trying to complete the wall of honor, by locating the missing photos.

We are missing a photo of of the following gentleman:

John W. ALLISON, master 1849,

E. S. HOWE who was master in 1850 ( I noticed you are also working on the Howe family, I am not sure if E.S. Howe is related to Laura Howe 1843- 1940  or her father Amos Price Howe 1790- 1871.  Maybe you know the answer to this)

Isaac Johnson, master 1851

Lewis Stay, master 1868

A. J. Richards, master 1881,

Edward C Steel, master in 1889.

WESLEY W. COFFEY, master in 1899.

If you can help with a photos or know of anyone who might be able to, please let me know.
email is Shaws at comteck.com or 7121 Hickson Hill Road, Poland, IN 47868 [replace "at" with "@" to e-mail Mr. Shaw.]

In your blog or newsletter, you ask for burial place for Wesley Coffey.  He is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Section D, Spencer, Owen County IN.  His son Robert Coffey is also buried with him. Robert born and died 1880.

I did see on the internet at a Jean Birston  posted she had a picture of Wesley, but her emails come back as undeliverable.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Hal Shaw

Salathiel & Nancy Dunbar Coffey - Continued

The fourth child of Salathiel and Nancy was Harriet, born Jul. 28, 1845 in KY, died Jan. 19, 1891 in Collin Co., TX.  She married Robert Benton Whisenant on Sep. 3, 1865 in Collin Co.  He was born Jan. 18, 1843 in Newton Co., MO and died Jan. 9, 1937 in Allen, Collin Co.  Robert is buried at the Allen Cemetery while Harriet was buried in Plano at the Bowman Family Cemetery.

There were at least 10 children born to this union:  Mary Ann; John Milton; Virginia E.; Maude Franklin, died young; Edgar L., died young; Sarah Frances, died young; Forest B., Henry; Walter S.; and Antha.  John married Ola Stancell and died in Collin Co. in 1935.  Forest married Sarah A. Bryan and died in 1917.

Next born was Milton Wolford "Mint" Coffey who married Amanda Virginia "Jennie Lewis.  You can read about his family here and here.

Following Mint was Zachariah Taylor, born Oct. 20, 1848 in Russell Co., KY, died Jun. 21, 1922 in McKinney, Collin Co., TX.  He married Mary Elizabeth Snider c1873.  She was born Mar 12, 1855, and died Apr. 9, 1898 in Collin Co.

They had at least 12 children:

1 - James Allen, died young

2 - Unnamed infant, died young

3 - Atha Ann, died in her ver early 20s.

4 - Lucy Jane, born 1878 in Collin Co., died in Fort Worth on Aug 1, 1962.  Lucy married Luther T. Hunter, born Jun. 24, 1878, died Aug. 8, 1970 in Montague Co., TX.  Both are buried at Forest Grove.

5 - Zithia Ellen, born Jan. 22, 1880, died Mar. 9, 1969 in McKinney.  She married William Ambers Dungan, born Aug. 16, 1880 in Copiah Co., MS and died in McKinney on Jan. 21, 1967.  They too are buried at Forest Grove.  Children were:  Eustace, Arvel, William, Mary Lou and Joe D.

6 - Mellie Missouri, born 1883, died c1924.

7 - Salathiel Snider, born 1885, died 1889 in Collin Co. and was buried at Forest Grove.

8 - Josephine Alice "Josie", born 1887, died 1975 in Garland, Dallas Co., TX.  Josie married Claude Cecil Martin, born Jan. 28, 1877 in DeKalb Co., TN, died Apr. 22, 1923 in Childress Co., TX.

9 - Edith Eudora, born 1890, married George M. Martin, born c1885 in TN and possible brother to Claude.

10 - Myrtle Harriet, born 1893 in Collin Co., died 1971 in McKinney as was buried at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney.  She married a Mr. Orr. 

11 - Jesse Wolford, born 1896 in Collin Co., died 194 in McKinney.  He married Mildred Elizabeth Joplin on Feb. 26, 1927 in Collin Co., the daughter of Robert Alfred and Katie L. McEntire Joplin.  Mildred was born in 1903 and died Oct. 9, 1989 in McKinney.  Both are buried at Pecan Grove.

12 - America Leta, born 1897.  No other information.

The last child of Salathiel and Nancy was Nancy Jane, born 1851 in Russell Co., KY, died Mar. 16, 1946 in Vashti, Clay Co., TX.  Nancy married  Joseph F. "Joe" Liggett on Feb. 1, 1870.  He was born Dec. 15, 1846 and died Oct. 25, 1921 in Clay Co.  Both are buried at the Vashti cemetery.

There were at least nine children born to them:

1 - America - no information

2 - Sales - no information

3 - Theodocia Ellen, born 1870 in Allen, died Dec. 13, 1954 in Dallas and was buried in the Allen cemetery in Collin Co.  Her husband was a Mr. Richards.

4 - Mary Florence was born in 1878 and died in 1972 at Henrietta in Clay Co., TX and was buried at Vashti.  Her husband was a Mr. Bragg.

5 - Robert Leslie, born 1882, died 1969 in Bowie, Montague Co.

6 - Birdie Ettaroe, born 1884, died 1969 in Irvin, Dallas Co.  She is also buried at Vashti.  Her husband was a Mr. Barker.

7 - Charles S., born 1887.  No other information.

8 - Valaria Jessie, born 1889, died 1927.  No other information.

9 - Elmer Scales, born 1891 in Bowie Co., died 1972 in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., TX and was buried at Vashti.  His wife was Ruby Lee, born 1900, died 1985 in Collin Co.  They were married Mar. 16, 1919.

This family information as presented here is not complete.  I have more definitive dates and places.  Send e-mail for more information.

Corrections and/or additions are welcomed.



 No. 993