Amos D. Coffey

Not much can be found on Amos D. Coffey, a son of Elijah and Mary Abby Dyer Coffey, born Jun. 12, 1811 in Indiana. Owen Co., IN marriage records tell us that he and Martha K. Niell married on Feb. 11, 1834 in Owen Co.

A short item in a book about Clay and Owen Co., IN tells us that Amos opened the first hotel in what became White Hall in Clay Twp., and was also one of the first Justices of the Peace.¹

We also know that he and his family were in Owen Co. in 1840 and that Martha was there in 1850 with her children: James, Elizabeth, William, and Andrew. A daughter, Martha, was not in the household and neither was Amos.

A blurb² appeared in the New Albany Daily Ledger, New Albany, IN on Mon., May 21, 1855 in which it was reported "Dr. Amos D. Coffey, of Louisville [KY], has been arrested and taken to Bloomington on a charge of counterfeiting." In 1856, Martha was granted a divorce from Amos and given custody of "minor children: James, Elizabeth, Martha, Harrison, Andrew" and, she was allowed to recover costs.³

James Martin Coffey went on to marry Margaret A. Huston in Monroe Co., IN in 1855 and died there in 1861. He left children: William. Sarah, Samuel and Ellsworth.4

Elizabeth married William A. Raper in 1867 and died in 1890.5

Martha Ann married William Osborn Harrah in 1854, Green Co., IN and died Jun. 3, 1885 in Osborne Co., KS6

William Harrison was killed in Arkansas while fighting with the Union's Co., D, 5th Indiana Infantry. He is buried in Little Rock at the National Cemetery.7

Andrew Noble married Angeline Mercy Rogers in Tecumseh, Johnson Co., NE in 1876 and was enumerated in the 1890 Veteran's census as a veteran of the 59th Indiana Infantry. He died in 1917 and was buried in Tecumseh. Angeline, born in 1857 Dane Co., WI, did not die until 1955. She too is buried at Tecumseh.8, 9

So, what happened to Amos?  What kind of Doctor was he?  Did he go to prison? When and where did he die and where is he buried?

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Sources:

1 Charles Blanchard, Editor, Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana: Historical and Biographical. Illustrated. (Chicago, IL: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884), Page 781.

2 "The New Albany Daily Ledger, New Albany, IN", http://bit.ly/1ExgMHS, Mon., May 21, 1855, Vol. VI, Issue 1748, Page 2.
3 Divorces for Owen Co., IN 1819-1871, Owen County Genealogical and Historical Society online [http://www.owen.in.us/owenhist/divorces.htm], accessed Jan. 6, 2005.
4 Dr. Marvin D. Coffey, Author/Researcher, James Bluford Coffey: His ancestors and descendants in America, second printing (Medford, OR: n.p., 1994), Supplemental to James B. Coffey, p17.

5 Ibid

6 Ibid

7 Find A Grave, William H. Coffey, Find A Grave Memorial # 3131066.
8 Find A Grave, Andrew Noble Coffey, Find A Grave Memorial # 58247537.

9 Find A Grave, Mary Angeline Rogers Coffey, Find A Grave Memorial # 58247588.

William Perry Coffey (1857-1926)

Part III


I have written previously about William Perry; once on Feb. 7, 2006 (Part I) and again on Dec. 20, 2010 (Part II).  Please read those blogs first to gain some context.  This blog will deal mostly with his child with Jane Helen Wemple and his nine children with her sister, Mary Ellen Wemple.  A photo of this family can be view in the 2006 blog.

This blog will deal mainly with the one child that he fathered with Jane Helen and, the nine that he fathered with her sister, Mary Ellen.  Jane and Mary were daughters of Myndert Veeder Wemple and Sarah C. Dakin, natives of New York.

To recap a bit, William Perry and Jane Helen were married on Jun. 9, 1878 in Howell Co., MO.¹  One child, a daughter named Nora N., was born to this union.  Jane died on Jan. 11, 1923 in West Plains, Howell Co. and was buried there at Howell Valley Cemetery.²

Nora disappeared after her birth but may have appeared in the 1890 census, had it survived.  She married George Ernest West, a Canadian from Nova Scotia in about 1902, and lived for awhile in West Plains.  Sometime between 1906 and 1909 the family moved to Sterling, Logan Co., CO.  Between 1912 and 1915 they moved to Fort Collins in Larimer Co., CO.

Nora and George had seven children, six of which survived to marry and have descendants of their own:

Harold Virgil was their first born on Apr. 30, 1903 in Howell Co.  He died on May 10, 1909 in Sterling and was buried there at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

William Norman, born Nov. 3, 1904 in Howell Co. and died Nov. 28, 1995 at South Gate in Los Angeles Co., CA and was buried at Rose Hills in Whittier.  He married Ethel Mildred Hector in Los Angeles on Oct. 3, 1929.³  She was the daughter of George and Mary Agnes Anlauf Hector, born Jun. 19, 1907 in Ventura Co., CA and died Jun. 26, 1975 at South Gate and was also buried at Rose Hills.

Mason Alfred, born Jan. 3, 1906 in Howell Co., died Sep. 17, 1989 at Rialto in San Bernardino Co., CA.  His wife was Hilda Irene Shay - marriage date not found - who was born in Sandy Lake, Mercer Co., PA on Oct. 7, 1905 and died on Nov. 7, 1976 in San Dimas, Los Angeles Co.  She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Covina, Los Angeles Co..  Having served as a Private First Class in the US Army during WW2,  he is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside Co., CA.

Maurice Samuel, born Apr. 1, 1909 in Sterling, married Veronica Marguerite Trank in c1935.  She was born in Loomis, Phelps Co., NE in 1913 and died Mar. 28, 2007 in Las Vegas, Clark Co., NV.  Maurice died on Jul. 5, 2002 in Las Vegas.  His remains were cremated and inurnment at the Desert View Memorial Park in Victorville, San Bernardino Co.4  Veronica died on Mar. 28, 2007 and was buried at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley, San Bernardino Co.

The only daughter born to George and Nora was Marjorie Marie on Mar. 21, 1911 in Sterling.  She married Chester Arthur Hector, brother to Ethel Mildred Hector who married Marjorie's brother William, on Dec. 11, 19345 in Los Angeles Co.  Marjorie died on Sep. 16, 1987 in Vancouver, Clark Co., WA and was buried there at Park Hill Cemetery. Chester, born on May 3, 1905 in Santa Paula, Ventura Co., CA, died on Sep. 16, 1987 in Vancouver and was also buried at Park Hill.

Marvin Woodrow, born Dec. 17, 1912 in Sterling, married Dorothy Grace Heaman on May 7, 1938.6
Marvin died on Jun. 3, 2001 in San Bernardino Co. and was buried at Green Acres Memorial Park & Mortuary in Bloomington, San Bernardino.  Dorothy appears to be the daughter of Albert and Elizabeth Rogers Heaman.  Other than that, I have found no other information about her.

Finally, the last child was Lowell Vernon, born Dec. 20, 1915 at Fort Collins in Larimer Co., CO.  He married Edna Gale Gilmore in Los Angeles Co. on May 22, 19377 and died on Apr. 10, 1998 in Ojala, Ventura Co., CA.  Edna was born c1916 in OK. His remains were cremated and ashes scattered at sea.  Like Dorothy above, I have no other information about Edna.

The children of William and Mary Ellen numbered nine and I will write more about them over the next few days.

  Jack

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Sources:

¹"Missouri Marriages, 1750-1920", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V28N-C3M : accessed 06 Aug 2013), W. T. Coffee and Jane H. Wimple, 1878.

²See Find A Grave memorial no. 55891203. 

³"California County Marriages, 1850-1952", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8NT-C61 : accessed 04 Sep 2014), William Norman West and Ethel Mildred Hector, 03 Oct 1929; citing p. 58, Los Angeles, California, United States; FHL microfilm 2074766.

4He also shares a marker with his wife at Sunset Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary at Apple Valley in San Bernardino Co.

5"California County Marriages, 1850-1952", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8JN-G7B : accessed 04 Sep 2014), Chester Arthur Hector and Marjorie Marie West, 11 Dec 1934; citing p. 178, Los Angeles, California, United States; FHL microfilm 2113658.

6"California County Marriages, 1850-1952", index and images, FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8VQ-8Y1 : accessed 04 Sep 2014), Marvin Woodrow West and Dorothy Grace Heaman, 07 May 1938; citing p. 34, Los Angeles, California, United States; FHL microfilm 2114220.

7"California County Marriages, 1850-1952", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8JB-ZR3 : accessed 04 Sep 2014), Lowell Veron West and Edna Gale Gilmore, 22 May 1937; citing p. 123, Los Angeles, California, United States; FHL microfilm 2114022.

See also the 1880 census for Howell Twp., Howell Co., MO and, the 1910 census for Sterling, Logan Co., CO; 1920 census for LaPorte, Larimer Co., CO; 1930 and 1940 census for Los Angeles Co.

George Archelaus Coffey, 1874 IL - 1949 OK

George Archelaus Coffey was a son of John A. McClernan and Mary R. Glascock Coffey.  John was born in Saline Co., IL in 1846 to Achilles and Jane Dean Coffey and died in Apr., 1893 at Washita Co., OK.  He and Mary were married on Aug. 15, 1869 in Saline Co.* These families descend from Edward and Ann Powell Coffey through their son John who married Jane Graves and, their son, Rev. James Coffey who married Elizabeth Cleveland.

George was born in Saline Co. on Jan. 13, 1874 and died Apr. 28, 1949 in OK.  He married Julia Gordon Lockhart on Aug. 11, 1895 in Erath Co., TX.  Julia was born Mar. 3, 1877 at Bluff Dale in Erath Co., and died on Oklahoma City on Nov. 25, 1961.  Both she and George are buried at Warner Memorial Cemetery in Muskogee Co., OK.

The biography for George tells us that he and Julia had four children:  John L., born in Mar., 1898 in TX; May L., born May 19, 1900 in OK and twin daughters, Georgia W. and Geordia W., born c1903 in OK.  May married John P. Nickens on Aug. 30, 1926 in Cleveland Co., OK and had at least two children, Georgia C., born c1928 and Mary R., born c1929.  May is also buried at Warner but the burial site for John has not been located.  In the 1930 census John and May were residents of Cleveland Co. where he was employed as a "decorator" for the Kress Co. and May was a public school teacher.  Marriage records for the other children of George and Julia have not been found.

George began his career as a school teacher in Erath Co. and was principal of schools in that county at Huckaby.  He was later a teacher at Alexander, TX and Walnut Springs, TX.  He went to Washita Co., OK Territory in 1899.  Later they would relocate to LoneWolf in Kiowa Co., OK and even later to Goodwell in Texas Co., OK.  In 1930 they were in Vann, Muskogee Co.

In 1911 George served as state senator in OK's third state legislature.  He later served in the 17th (1939), the same legislature in which Will Rogers was then serving.

The following is a rather long biography produced by John Bradfield Thoburn on pages 1413-1414 in his 4th volume, A Standard History of Oklahoma, published in 1916.  I have broken it up somewhat to make it a bit easier to read.**

"There is no profession to which men devote their energies more dignified in its ethics or more reasonably helpful to their fellow-men than that of education, the always advancing standards of which demand of its devotees constant study and a keen and comprehensive knowledge of a wealth of subjects. These demands, in turn, redound to the benefit of the community, for not infrequently the capable educator is chosen for positions in the law-making department of our government, where he is able, through his superior attainments, to contribute materially to his locality’s development and progress. Of the educators of Western Oklahoma who have won prominent positions in their calling and at the same time have served the communities capably in legislative office, one of the best known and most popular is George A. Coffey, ex-state senator and at present superintendent of schools of Carter, Beckham County. His labors as an educator have covered a period of more than twenty years, and his advancement in his profession has been steady and consistent. Few men have contributed in greater degree to the cause of education, and no man has a better record for straightforward, energetic effort as a public servant.

'Mr. Coffey was born in Saline County, Illinois, January 13, 1874, and is a son of Rev. J. M. and Mary R. (Glasscock) Coffey, and a descendant of Irish ancestors who came to America in Colonial days and settled in Virginia. His father was born in Saline County, Illinois, in 1846, and as a young man adopted the vocation of farmer, an occupation he has followed throughout his life, in connection with his labors as a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church. With the exception of a year spent in Kansas, he resided in Saline County, Illinois, until 1888, in that year removing with his family to Baylor County, Texas, and two years later going to Brown County, in the same state. There he made his home until April, 1893, when he took up a homestead in Washita County, Oklahoma, and after proving his claim disposed of his land and bought his present farm, also in Washita County. He is now living a retired life, being in comfortable financial circumstances. Mrs. Coffey, who survives at the age of sixty-seven years, is a native of Tennessee.

'Mr. Coffey of this review comes of a race of people noted for longevity, none of his ancestors, male or female, having died under the age of seventy-five, and some of them reaching the age of 112.

"George A. Coffey attended the country schools of Saline County, Illinois, until he was fourteen years of age and at that time went with his parents to Baylor County, Texas. He went to the high school at Seymour, and in 1890, when his parents went to Brown County, Texas, he entered Howard Payne College and finished the teachers’ training course in 1894. In the meantime he had already entered upon his educational career, having taught several terms in Oklahoma and Texas, and in 1894 began to devote his entire time to his chosen calling, as a teacher in Erath County. In the term of 1895-6 he was principal of schools at Huckaby, Erath County, Texas, and during the terms of 1896-7, 1897-8 and 1898-9 was teacher at Alexander, Texas, while in 1899, 1900, he was engaged in the same capacity at Walnut Springs, Texas. On December 25, 1899. Mr. Coffey came to Oklahoma and filed on a claim in Washita County, on which he began to live March 10, 1900, and continued to reside thereon for five years, finally proving up and selling it. During this time, in 1900-01, he had continued his professional labors as principal of schools at Gage, Oklahoma, continued as such in the term of 1901-2, and in 1902-3 was principal of the schools at Cordell, there organizing the first graded school in Washita County. In the terms of 1903-4 and 1904-5 he was superintendent of schools at Port, Oklahoma, in 1905-6 at Rocky, Oklahoma, in 1906-7 at Port again, and in 1907-8, 1908-9 and 1909-10 at Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. 

"During the time he resided at Lone Wolf, Mr. Coffey served as a member of the Oklahoma State Senate, to which body he was elected on the democratic ticket. His service therein was a notable one, he being chairman of the committees on Penal Institutions and Enrolling and Engrossing Bills, and a member of the committees on Public Service, Fees and Salaries, Education, Insurance, Mines and Manufacturing, Public Health and Military Affairs. He introduced and secured the passage of the bill for State Aid for Consolidated Schools, the first bill of its kind and now a law. He was one of the authors of and introduced into the Senate the bill which created the present State Board of Education, and of the bill that secured the large appropriation for the buildings at the Granite Reformatory. Mr. Coffey took a leading part in the fight against the Muskogee Fair Bill, and opposed a large appropriation for the governor’s inaugural ceremony. For a number of years Mr. Coffey has been a leading figure in all the prohibition campaigns, being a stump speaker of forcible address and convincing argument against the liquor traffic.

"In 1910-11 Mr. Coffey was superintendent of schools at Mountain Park and Retrot. Oklahoma, in 1911-12 at Spring Creek, in 1912-13 at Sentinel, and in 1913-14 at Spring Creek again, and in the fall of 1915 was called to the position of superintendent of schools at Carter, Oklahoma, with a corps of six teachers and a scholarship of 300 pupils. Mr. Coffey is a valued member of the Washita County Teachers Association and the Oklahoma Teachers Association. He has at various times been honored in a professional way, having served as a member of the Board of Examiners of Erath County, Texas, for four years, and of Washita County, Oklahoma, eight years. During the greater part of this time he has devoted the summer terms, when others are enjoying vacations, to faithful and energetic work in the summer normal schools. 

"A recent review of the life and labors of Superintendent Coffey said in part as follows: 'He is a man of versatile ability, being known for twenty-three years to the people of Southwestern Oklahoma in the various capacities of pioneer and progressive educator, fraternal and religious lecturer, prohibition speaker and school legislator. He has ever been in the front ranks of every fight for better government, better schools, morality and decency. His fearless stand for humanity and the right has made him a host of friends. In the school room, in the state senate, in his home, and among his neighbors and friends, he has ever been the same common, plain, unassuming man. The humblest citizen and smallest child in the county may approach him on the same plane of confidence and friendship and be assured of receiving the same consideration and courtesy that would be given to the highest educators and officials of the state with whom he has frequently associated. In his work he has enjoyed the friendship and respect of the ablest men of the state, yet he has spent his time for the uplift of the common people; and the overwhelming support that they have given to all his public aspirations gives proof that they fully appreciate his efforts in their behalf.'

"With his family, Mr. Coffey belongs to the Baptist Church. His fraternal connections are with Lone Wolf Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Sentinel, and the Rebekahs of the same; the Woodmen of the World, at Sentinel, and the Modern Woodmen of America at Lone Wolf.

"Superintendent Coffey was married in Erath County, Texas, in 1895, to Miss Julia Gordon Lockhart, daughter of the late Elder J. C. R. Lockhart, who for more than seventy-five years was a. Baptist preacher in Alabama and Texas. Four children have been born to this union: John L., who is a teacher in the public schools of Carter, under his father; Mary L., who is a member of the sophomore class, at Carter High School; Georgia, who is in the seventh grade of the public schools at Carter; and Geordia, twin of Georgia, also in seventh grade."

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*http://www.pendleyusa.com/sampendle/index.htm#TOC, accessed Sep., 2005.
**Search Google Books for George A. Coffey

James Granville & Lois Ann Dancy Coffey

James was the eldest child of Marvel and Nancy E. Pendley Coffey.  Marvel was a son of James and Delilah Ferguson Coffey.

James is said to have been born on Jul. 4, 1845 in North Carolina and to have died on Feb. 19, 1915 in McDowell Co., WV.  I have not yet been able to confirm either date.

He married Lois Ann Dancy, a daughter of Neal and Rilda Cox Dancy, natives of Ashe Co., NC.  Lois was born Dec. 19, 1858 in that county and died on Sep. 28,1938 in Welch, McDowell Co., WV.  Her death certificate reports cause of death as hypostatic pneumonia.  Lois is buried at the Premier Cemetery in Premier, Welch Co., WV.  In 1920 Lois was a widow in McDowell Co., more of less confirming that James died after he appeared last in the 1910 census.

James and Lois had at least nine children, the eldest three born in NC, the others in WV.

Alice E., born Jul. 23, 1881 in Asheville, Buncombe Co., married William S. Taylor on Nov. 19,1894 in Mercer Co. William was a native of GA, born there c1868.  At least 10 children were born to this union:  Laura A., c1899; Cora E., c1901; Luther, c1903; James A., born c1906; Mary B., born c1909; William, Jr., born c1912; Daisy V., born c1914; Elizabeth M., born c1917; Charley F., born c1919 and, Evaline B., born c1924.  I have not found death date and burial sites for William and Alice.

Daniel Alexander, born Jun. 4, 1882, Ashe Co., NC, died Jun. 19,1960 in Welch, McDowell Co.  Daniel married Belle Bunn c1907 in WV.  She was a daughter of John P. and Mary J. "Mollie" Havens Bunn, born Apr. 17, 1892 in Pulaski Co., VA, died Nov. 13, 1984 in Ravenna, Portage Co., OH.  Their children were:  James G. P., born c Jul 1909 in WV, married a lady by the name of Mary A. c1929 in McDowell Co.  Howard Clinton, Feb. 25, 1911-Mar 23,1992; Clarence E., Sep. 14, 1914-Dec. 13, 1983; Bessie C., c1917; Albert Preston, Jun. 22, 1919-Nov. 11, 1994 in Jefferson Co., WV.  Albert married Lyda Louvernia Stumbo, daughter of Christopher Columbus and Minnie Ramsey Stumbo.  Lyda was born Mar 31, 1921 in Yukon, McDowell Co., and died in Ranson, Jefferson Co., WV on Apr. 29, 2010.  Hazel was next, born c1922; Effie A., born c1925 and Hellen M., born c1928.

Mary E., born Feb., 1883 in NC, married J. E. Ferguson on Dec. 20, 1905 in Coalwood, McDowell Co.  Mr. Ferguson was a native of Smyth Co., VA, having been born there c1876.

James Henry, born Mar. 20, 1889 in WV, died Jul. 6, 1958 in Welch, McDowell Co.  He married Hattie Pearl Woods.  A marriage date has not been found.  Hattie was born Apr. 20, 1892 in KY and died in Laurel Co., KY on Jan. 22, 1973.  Their children were Myrtle, born c1915, Beatrice I., Mar. 4, 1918 in WV-Nov. 24, 1971 in KY; Clifford L., born Apr. 4, 1920 in WV, died Feb. 1, 1984 in KY; and Rev. William Kelcie Coffey, born Jul. 14, 1923, died Jul. 6, 1997 in Laurel Co., KY.  Rev. Coffey married Gloria Edna Rogers and were parents of at least one child, James Roger, born Oct. 27, 1948 in Yukon, died in Corbin, Whitley Co., KY on Apr. 20, 2008.

George Lee, born Jun. 24, 1891 in Welch, died in Columbus, Franklin Co., OH on Jun. 17, 1961.  His wife was Elizabeth Mae Steele, born Mar. 21, 1903 in Ashland, Boyd Co., KY.  She died on Aug. 8, 1968 in Wilmington, New Castle Co., DE.  Children were Helen Kathleen, Raymond Scott and Charles L.

Elizabeth Jane, born Apr. 29, 1895 in WV, died Apr. 23, 1939 in Big Creek Dist., McDowell Co.  She married a Mr. Branhorn.

William Luther, born Apr. 29, 1895 in WV, died Jul. 27, 1977 in WV.  Married Lillian Banfield, born Jul. 28, 1909 in Williamson, Mingo Co., WV, died in Cherry Run, Morgan Co., WV in Sep., 1973.  They had at least one child, a son named Donald, born c1932 in WV.

Charles Earnest, born Apr. 17, 1897 in Freeman, Mercer Co., WV, died in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV on Oct. 1, 1923.  His spouse was Lockie Quesenbury, born c1902 in VA.  They married on Jul. 28, 1921 in Coalwood, McDowell Co.

The last child born to James and Lois was Jesse Franklin on Jan. 18, 1900 in WV.  He married Virgie Sizemore on Jan. 4, 1923 in McDowell Co.  She was born c1905 in Wyoming Co., WV.  Their children were Charles, born c1924; James, born c1926; and Sidney A., born c1928.  There was also a stillborn male child on May 15, 1940 in North Welch, McDowell Co.

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Additions and corrections welcomed. Sources available on request.

Keltner and Coffey in Adair Co., KY

The Keltner and Coffey families have a history in Adair County. , KY.  I have not attempted to assemble all of the Keltner Clan but have tried to connect them to the appropriate Coffey families.  Corrections to this blog will likely be required as I did a bit deeper.  Reader comments are welcomed.

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I believe it was Michael and Sarah Rogers Keltner, originally of Virginia, who are primarily responsible for the Adair Co. Keltners.  They had at least three children, two of which married into the Coffey Clan of Adair Co. and a granddaughter of the third who also married a Coffey.

Their first was Sarah who married Robert W. Price on Nov. 9., 1824 in Adair Co.  Their daughter, Lucy W., born Jan., 1841 in that county, and there married Thomas G. Coffey on Mar. 24, 1864.  Thomas was a son of Zidner and Margana [sic] Keltner Coffey.  Morgana was a daughter of Michael and Sarah and was born c1809 in VA.  Zidner and Morgana were married on Jan. 20, 1831 in Adair Co.

John Richard Keltner is the second child I found who married a Coffey.  He married Mary "Polly" Coffey, a daughter of Ananias and Jane Hindman Coffey on Dec. 2, 1829.  Mary died on Feb. 15, 1901 in Adair Co.  I have not yet found a death date for John, who was born c1804 in VA.  They had at least one son, Curtis Luther Keltner, born Dec. 6, 1851, died Mar. 26,1943 in Adair Co.  Zidner was a son of Ananias and Jane.

Obituary, Adair County News, Feb. 27, 1901

Mrs. Mary Keltner (nee Coffey) was born in Green county, Ky., on Dec. 14, 1815. At the age of 14 she was married to John Keltner and removed to Adair county where she lived until her death, which occurred on 15th day of Feb., 1901. Her husband was born in With [sic] [Wythe] county, Va., and at the time of his death lacked only a few days of being 96 years of age.

Mrs. Keltner was the mother of eleven children, five of whom died when they were quite small.  At the time of her death she had 48 grandchildren, 147 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren, making a total of 218, including her own children. "Aunt Polly," as she was familiarly called, was a member of the M. E. Church South, and during her long and eventful life lived a consistent Christian. Her last years were spent at the home of her son, C. L. Keltner, who cared for her as a loving son should. She was near 86 years old, and will be greatly missed.

Morgana is mentioned above.  She and Zidner had a number of children;12 in alI I believel.  One of their daughters, Sarah Ann, born c1835, married Joseph Price on May 13, 1853 in Columbia, Adair Co.  Joseph was born c1828 and is likely some relation to Robert W., also mentioned above.

Keltner Chart No. 1

A daughter of Robert W. and Sarah Nancy Keltner Price was Lucy who married Thomas G. Coffey, another son of Zidner.  Thomas G. was born Jan., 1841 in Adair Co., and died there on Mar. 10, 1924.  Lucy was born in Jan., 1841 and died in Adair Co. on Feb. 16, 1916.  The town listed on their death certificates was Keltner.

Lucy and Thomas G. Coffey are buried at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Columbia, Arair Co.

Keltner Chart No. 2

Curtis Luther Keltner is buried at Morris Chapel UMC Cemetery in Weed, Adair Co.  His death certificate reports burial at Morris    Chapel in Columbia.

Keltner Chart 3

Isaiah Zachariah "Zet" Coffey

Isaiah "Zet" Coffey was apparently the product of an unknown father and his mother, Nancy Coffey.  Nancy was a daughter of Nelson and Rebecca Hamilton Coffey, born May 4, 1836, died Jan. 11, 1922 in Amherst Co., VA.  Nelson was a son of Jordan and Elizabeth Rippetoe Coffey.

DNA testing has shown that Jordan was not a Coffey but was a child of (probably) Jane Coffey, and an unknown Taliaferro (Toliver) male.  Jane was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Osborne Coffey.

Coffey-Rogers Grave Marker

This stone is probably the most unusual that I have ever seen.  It marks the final resting place of six people: "Zet" and two of his sons, Charlie and Egbert; two first cousins to Zet, Lucy and Calvin Rogers and a granddaughter, Isabelle, daughter of Zet's son, Jasper L. Coffey and his wife Ethyl Blankenship.

Obituary, Buena Vista News, Jul. 9, 1953

Isaiah Coffey, 89, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Emory Davis, here Thursday night, June 25.  Besides his daughter he is survived by three sons:  Chester Coffey of Lynchburg; Guy Coffey of White Sulfur Springs, West Va., and Wade Coffey of Richmond; also 17 grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 27, at 4 p.m. at the Amole Funeral Home with burial in Green Hill Cemetery.

These graves can be found at the Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista, VA.

Zidner Coffey

Miscellaneous information for Zidner Coffey.

Son of Ananias "Nias" and Jane Hindman Coffey.  Married Marganna (Ann?) Keltner Jan. 20, 1831 in KY.  Died Jul. 23, 1869.  He is probably buried in Adair Co. where he lived most of his adult life.

Children, all born in Adair Co.:  Martha Jane, born c1831; William A., born 1832; Sarah Ann, born c1835; John Davis, born c1836; Ardena, born c1838; Thomas G., born c1841, died Jan. 7, 1878 in Adair Co.; Elizabeth, born c1842; Robert W., born c1843, married Sally C. Compt[i]on, had child William Zidner, born 1892 died 1961 in OH; Ellen, born c1845; Sophia, born c1846; Andrew Jackson "Jack", born Jan., 1848, died 1928, married Dorinda Frances "Drindy" Rogers.  Children were James Wesley, Dorather (?); Minnie, Bennie, Cassius Curl; George R., Lorzy (?), Gideon and Lula; Mary, born c1849.

Jun. 15, 1810, Zidner born in Wayne Co., KY; no other details.

1840 Adair Co., KY census, page 32.  Age and Sex:  21001/110001

1850 Adair Co., KY census, page 23, dwelling/family 323, 5 Aug 1850, 1st Dist. Coffey, Zinder 40 M KY Farmer; 500; Ann 41 F VA XY; William 17 M KY Farmer A; S.A. 15 F?KY A; John B. 14 M; KY A; Ardena 12 F KY A; Thomas 9 M KY A; Sophia 8 F KY A; Ellen 6 F KY;
Robert 7 M KY; A. J. 4 M KY; M. 1 F KY.
 
14 May 1853 in Adair Co., KY, bond Sarah Ann Coffey and Joseph Price.  Zidner was surety.

27 Apr. 1865, Adair Co., KY, Sophia Coffey married William R. Willis at the home of Zidner Coffey.

John Coffey - Update, Apr. 11, 2011

This John was born c1836 in North Carolina (probably Buncombe Co.) to Reuben and Rachel Hayes Coffey. He was the fourth son and fourth child in a family that would eventually total eight children; five males and three females.

John married Emeline (maiden name unknown) who was also born c1836 and probably in Buncombe Co. Together they had at least three children: Laura, born c1860; Montgomery G., born Jan. 1863, died Sep. 28, 1939; and Harley P., born Feb. 1866, died Mar. 1928.

Nothing is known about Laura.  Laura died c1879,

Montgomery married Julie C. (maiden name unknown) c1887 in North Carolina. She was born May 1870, but a death date has not yet been found. They had seven children: Addie L., born Jun., 1887; Henry Bascombe, born May, 1888; Cora B., born Jan., 1891; Horace M., born Jul., 1893; James Claude, born Apr. 12, 1897; John Hilliard, born Nov. 28, 1928; and Virginia, born c1902.

Julia C. was Julia C. Brown, born May 13, 1870 in Buncombe Co., and died there on Nov. 17, 1933. She was a daughter of James Lowery and DeMaris Rogers Brown 

Henry married Sadie (maiden name unknown) sometime around 1910. He registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917. He was described as being of medium height with slender build, blue eyes and black hair. He reported his age as 28 years, born May 19, 1889. This date is off by one year from that provided in the 1900 census in which he was reported born in May, 1888. The only census in which I have found them thus far is 1920 Leicester, Buncombe Co. In that year they had children: Eva, age 8; James, age 7, and Francis [Frances], age 6.

Photo by Molly Brown

Updates Apr. 11, 2011: Henry's first wife was Jennie Lee Morgan. They were married Sep. 30, 1906 in Buncombe Co. Jennie was born Nov. 16, 1885 and died Aug. 25, 1908. She is buried in Leicester, Buncombe Co. in the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. His second wife was Sadie Brown to whom he was married on Nov. 28, 1909 in Haywood Co., NC. Sadie was born Dec. 25, 1892 in Buncombe Co., and died Mar. 30, 1939 in Leicester. She is buried at Bell United Methodist Church Cemetery in Leicester. In addition to Eva, James and Frances, they also had a son Norman Reeves Coffey, born Oct. 25, 1915, died Jun. 23, 1916 in Leicester. Thanks to Lloyd Coffey and Molly Brown for this update.

Nothing is known of Cora or Horace.

Cora married a Bridges. She was born Jun. 28, 1891 in Buncombe Co., died Apr. 1, 1951 in Leicester and was buried at Western Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery.

Photo by June Taylor McClure

Horace married Deborah Estelle Smathers on Jan. 8, 1914 in Canton, Haywood Co., NC. She was born Feb. 25, 1889 in Haywood Co., and died Jul. 21, 1968 in NC. She is buried at Morning Star Cemetery in Canton, Haywood Co. Horace Mitchel Coffey was born Jul., 1893 and died Jan. 1, 1947 in Houston, Harris Co., TX. He was also buried at Morning Star.

James Claude registered for the draft in June, 1918 in Buncombe Co. He was described then as being of medium height and build with gray eyes and black hair. He gave his age as 21 years, born Apr. 12, 1897 in Leicester.

John Hilliard registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Buncombe Co. He was tall and slender with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He gave his age as 18 yrs., born Nov. 28, 1898.

Nothing is known of Virginia.

John and Emeline last child was Harley P., born Feb. 1866 in Buncombe Co., and died in March, 1928 in Bladen Co., NC. He married Alley F. (maiden name unknown) c1897 in North Carolina. She was born Aug., 1876 in North Carolina, and died Apr. 17, 1933 in Bladen Co. Harley was apparently married prior to Alley because the list of children in the 1900 census makes it clear that she is the mother of only two. They were Kenneth Lecosta, born Aug., 1897, and Liston Jeffry, born Jul., 1899.

Kenneth registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Buncombe Co. He had blue eyes and brown hair and was of medium height and build. He gave his age as 20 yrs., born Aug. 4, 1898. He was unmarried at the time of registration and worked for his father on the farm.

Liston Jeffry also registered on Sep. 12, 1918 in Buncombe Co. He was short and stout with blue eyes and light colored hair. He gave his age as 18 yrs., born Jul. 18, 1900. He too was unmarried and worked at farming with his father in Leicester.