John Hunter & Emily Caroline Coffey Grider

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jos. Grider-MaryCoffey Mar Record

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

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

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

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

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

Updates, additions and corrections welcomed.

  Jack

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

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

Captain Dick & Lettie J. McBride Coffey

Captain Dick Coffey

Lettie McBride

Captain was one of the nine sons of Joseph and Beth Ada Strunk Coffey of Kentucky.  He and Beth Ada were parents of at least 13 children, all born between 1854 and 1880 in KY and TN.  Captain was born on Jan. 19, 1872 in Flat Rock, McCreary Co., KY and died in Oneida, Scott Co., TN. on Oct. 25, 1950.  His bride was Lettie J. McBride to whom he was married on Mar. 19, 1901* in Scott Co.  Lettie was born in Oneida in 1881 and died in Scott Co. in Jan., 1926.  Both are buried in the Coffey Cemetery** in Oneida.

I have found seven children for Cap and Lettie.  They were:

Maude, born 1902, Scott Co., TN, died 1990 in Anderson Co., TN.  She married Elmer Davis in Scott Co., 1922.  He died in 1975.

Ada, born 1903, Scott Co., died 1984 in Scott Co.  Married Arnold George Lewis, born 1900, died 1967.

Jefferson, born 1906 in Scott Co., died 1930 in Boyd Co., KY.  Married Nellie Richmond in 1923, Scott Co.

John "Johnny", born 1907 in Scott Co., died there in 1976.  Married Stella Phillips in 1931, Scott Co.  One son I know of, Lee, born 1934 in Scott Co.

Emily, born 1911 in TN, died 1930 in KY.

Walter Othel Coffey

Mamie Matilda Baltimore Coffey

Rev. Walter Othel, born 1913 in Scott Co., died 1974 in Fayette Co., KY.  His wife was Mamie Matilda Baltimore, daughter of Ben and Mamie Donelson Baltimore, born in Sparta, White Co., TN in 1915.  She died in Pine Knot, McCreary Co. in 1986.  They were married in Cooperative, McCreary Co. in 1932.  Children:  Joyce, Shelby, Patricia, Johnny, Ronnie, Phyllis, Charles and Donna Sue (not in birth order).  Walter and Mamie are both buried at Pine Knot cemetery.

Their last child was Ome, born 1916 in Oneida, died 1937 in Boyle Co., KY.

More info is available on DVD or CD.

Jack

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*"Tennessee, State Marriage Index, 1780-2002," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VNCG-QRD : accessed 28 Nov 2012), Captain Coffey and Lettie Mcbride, 1901.

**Lat: 36.50440, Lon: -84.52310. Look north of the intersection of US 27 (Depot St.) via W. 3rd to Stanley St.

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Photos are courtesy of Theresa/Thunderbird584 at Find-A-Grave

William Harrison Parmley, Spouse of Sara Zerilda Coffey

WILLIAM H. PARMLEY

The farm and gin interests of Montague county, Texas, have an enterprising representative in the subject of this sketch, William H. Parmley.  He is a Kentuckian by birth and was born in Wayne County, September 13, 1858, son of Robert and Serilda (Strunk) Parmley, both natives of Kentucky.

Robert Parmley, Sr., grandfather of William H., was a Virginian and a great hunter who at an early day settled in the wilds of Kentucky, where he improved a farm and carried on agricultural pursuits extensively, having slaves to do his work.  He was twice married.  By his first wife the children were:  James, Garner, John, Washington, Lewis, Robert, Jr., Henderson, Giles, Mrs. Sidney Gan, and Mrs. Rebecca Rice.  Following are the names of the children by the second wife:  Mrs. Betty McBath.  William, Lad, Mrs. Abigail Winchester, Mrs. Ersley Stokes, Mrs. Vie Young, Mrs. Ellen Powers and H. Clay.

Robert Parmley, Jr., in his early manhood taught school for some years.  Although a southerner, he was a Union man, and two of his brothers, William and Lad, were Union soldiers.  He however took no part in the war.  He is politically a Democrat and was honored with official position in his native State, and also since his removal to Kansas.  He moved west in 1877 and settled in Cowley county, Kansas, where he improved a good farm and was for many years successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.  Now at the age of eighty-two years, and still vigorous, he is living retired in Burden, that county.   Here he has served as justice of the peace and city judge.  He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and of the Masonic fraternity, and has long been known as a generous, big-hearted, broad-minded man with a character in every way above reproach.  His first wife died in 1879. She belonged to one of the early families of Kentucky; was a member of Cumberland Presbyterian church, and was a woman of lovely Christian character.  Little is known of her family history.  Fowlowing are the names of her children:  Mrs. Milda Rice James (deceased); William H.; John (deceased); Ned (deceased); Bell, wife of George R. McClelland, and Ellen, wife of M. Mackey.  The father subsequently married a Mrs. Burris, his present companion. 

William H. Parmley was seventeen when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Kansas.  His education was received chiefly at home under his father's instruction and in the practical school of experience.  He assisted his father in the development of their farm in the new State of Kansas.  Then in 1880 he returned to Kentucky, married the sweetheart of his youth and took her back to Kansas with him. The next two years he was employed in breaking prairie with two yoke of oxen.  He rented land in Chautauqua county one year;  moved to Llano county, Texas, where he raised two crops; returned to Kansas, but soon came back Texas, this time settling in Montague county, where he bought eighty acres of land, to which he afterward added another eighty acres, and where he remained eight years.  His next move was to Indian Territory, but he did not remain there long.  Coming again to Montague County, he purchased land where he now resides.  To his original purchase here, one hundred and sixty acres, he has since added until he is now the owner of one thousand acres, 600 acres of which are under cultivation, most of which he rents, his chief products being corn and cotton.  His farm with its commodious, modern residence and other buildings, wind mill and fine water, large orchard of choice fruits, etc., is certainly an ideal country place.  In 1900 Mr. Parmley became interested in ginning.  He erected a gin with a daily capacity of twenty-five bales, to the operation of which he has since given his attention in ginning season.  It has been by his own energy and good management that Mr. Parmley has accumulated his estate since coming to Montague County, and he has well earned the title of self-made man.

Politically, Mr. Parmley is a Republican, posted and up-to-date in the country's progress and hopeful of Republican success in Texas.  He is one of the active members of the Farmer's Union, and both he and his wife are identified with the Missionary Baptist Church.

Of Mr. Parmley's domestic life, we record that he married Miss Serilda Coffee who was born in Kentucky, December 18, 1858, daughter of Jackson and Martha J. (Spann) Coffee, the former a native of Kentucky, the later of Tennessee. Her grandfather, Nathaniel Coffee, was a prominent farmer of Kentucky.  His children were:  Jackson; Cleve, one of the early settlers of Texas and William.  Jackson, a farmer in Kentucky until 1882, that year moved to Texas and settled in Hopkins county, where he spent two years; then came to Llano county, and two years later to Montague County, where he lived with his daughter for fifteen years.  He died here October 20, 1889. He was a plain, honest farmer, a member of the primitive Baptist church, and was highly respected by all who knew him.  His children in order of birth are:  Shelby, Lewis, Jack, Henry, and Willis, all deceased;  Samuel and Robert of Indian Territory;  Cleve, who resides with his sister, Mrs. Parmley;  Clay, who died in early life;  Eliza, wife of J. Kennett;  Mrs. Serilda Parmley;  and Mollie, deceased.  The children of Mr. and Mrs. Parmley are:  Robert, Leenora, Charles L., Thadeus, William F., Maud, Dosha and Lula S., all living at this writing except Lenora, who died at the age of three months.

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A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas.
Captain B.B. Paddock, Editor, Illustrated Vol. II; 1906, The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago & N.Y. Page 539-540
Thanks to Jacqueline Daffron for providing this info on 9/22/2012 - Click on title link to read earlier blog on this family.

Sheridan L. "Sherd" & Sarah "Sally" Coffey Dobbs

Readers can find earlier blogs about this family here and here.

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Photo courtesy of Darryl Dobbs

Photo:  Benjamin Franklin Coffey was a son of Nelson and Keziah and married Martha Cecilia Dobbs, daughter of George Washington and Lurany Strunk Dobbs.  Thomas "Tom" Dobbs, was Sherd and Sally's son and married Julia Jones.  The others are discussed more fully below.  The photo is said to have been taken c1920.  However, Luraney died before 1910 and her child Roxy was born c1901.  I suspect it was taken in the Spring or early Summer of 1902.

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Short recap:

Sheridan L. "Sherd" Dobbs was born Sep. 4, 1844 in Wayne Co., KY to George Washington and Lurany H. Strunk Dobbbs.  He married Sarah "Sally" Coffey, born c1846 in KY, c1869.  Sally was a daughter of Nelson N. & Keziah "Kizzie" Watters Coffey.  Sally died Jan. 23, 1910 in McCreary Co., KY and Sherd died there on Dec. 17, 1941.  Both are buried in the Dobbs family cemetery in Stearns, McCreary Co.*

Their children, as I have them, were Benjamin Franklin, born ca Feb. 1870; Ollie, a daughter, born c1872; Emeline, born c1874; Angelina, born Nov. 7, 1876, died Jan. 29, 1958; Thomas, born Dec. 14, 1877, died Sep. 6, 1950, and Eli, born Nov., 1881.

Benjamin married Luraney Coffey, his mothers niece and a daughter of Henry Baker and Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs Coffey.  Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs and Sherd Dobbs were sister and brother, making Benjamin and Luraney double first cousins.

Luraney died before the 1910 census and probably at the birth of her fourth child.  Their children were Alice, born c1898, Roxie, born c1901, Florida, born Aug. 19, 1903, died Apr. 5, 1963 in Fayette Co., KY, and Esther Loraine, born Feb. 14, 1910, died Oct. 7, 1911.  Florida married Edgar Dobbs, her 4x second cousin.  Edgar was the son of Joseph and Polly Ann Coffey Dobbs.  Joseph was a son of James Shelby "Jim Frett" and Prudence Ann "Prudie" Coffey Dobbs.  Jim Frett and Sherd Dobbs were brothers.  Polly Ann Coffey was a daughter of Joseph & Louisa J. Jones Coffey, and Joseph was brother to Prudence.

Esther Loraine died at the age of 1 year, 7 mos., and 23 days.  Her death certificate lists "cause unknown."  She is buried at Rock Creek in Wayne Co.

I have no information on Ollie and Emeline Dobbs.

Angelina also married a Coffey.  He was James C. "Jim" Coffey, born Jun. 6, 1879 to Richard Henderson & Catherine C. Jones Coffey.  Richard was brother to Sarah "Sally" Coffey who married Sherd Dobbs.  Catherine, born Mar. 27, 1840 in Wayne Co., was a daughter of William McKinley and Mary Jane "Polly" Baker Jones.  Catherine died in McCreary Co. on Oct. 16, 1901; Richard on Aug. 6, 1920.

Jim and Angelina had at least eight children:  Twins, Ollie and India, born Dec. 7, 1903; Saphronia Katherine, Apr. 7, 1906; Marie, Aug. 31, 1910; James Beecher, born Mar. 8, 1911; Roberta, born May 7, 1913; Raymond R., born Jan. 29, 1915 and Lillie, born c1918.  More information is available on these children.

Thomas Dobbs married Julia Jones, thought to be a daughter of Charlie and Lizzie Jones.  She was born in Slavans, McCreary Co. on Feb. 19, 1879 and died in Cooperative, McCreary Co. on Feb. 21, 1940.  Thomas and Julia are buried at the James C. Coffey family cemetery in Stearns.  Their children were Lillie, born 1910, Parker, born 1913, Ester, born 1918, Dora, born 1920 and Edith, born 1929.  More info is also available on these children.

Sherd and Sally's last child was Eli, born Nov., 1881.  No death info has been found for him or his wife Lettie, maiden name unknown.  They had children Willer, born c1913, Austin, born c1918, Arthur, born 1920, Myrtle, born c1925 and Clifford, born c1929.  This family went to Florida sometime between 1920 and 1925 because the last two children were born in that state.

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*Please contact me if you have geocoordinates for this cemetery.

Jefferson (Jeff) and Margie M. King Coffey

Jefferson was born on Jan. 24, 1866 in Scott Co., TN to Joseph and Beth Ada (Bethada?) Strunk Coffey.  He died in Whitley Co., KY on Jul. 7, 1899.  Joseph was a son of James and Sarah "Sally" Sumpter Coffey and Beth Ada was the daughter of William and Charlotta Sellers Strunk.  Ada was born Feb. 28, 1835 in KY - perhaps Pulaski Co., where she and Joseph were married on Dec. 8, 1853.  Both Joseph and Ada died in Oneida, Scott Co., TN; he on Jun. 4, 1882, she on Jun. 3, 1920 and were buried there in the Coffey cemetery.* 

Margie M. King was born Mar. 25, 1870 in KY and died there in McCreary Co. on Aug. 16, 1921.  A marriage date for her and Jefferson has not been found.  They were however, likely married in McCreary Co. in early 1889.  Their first child was born there in Mar., 1890.  Margie was a daughter of Burrell (var.) and Margie M. Foster King.  Burrell was born Feb. 11, 1826 in KY and died in McCreary Co. on Jan. 26, 1917.  Margie was born May 26, 1835 in KY and died there on Oct. 16, 1884.  Both are buried in the Burrell King Family Cemetery at Pine Knot in McCreary Co.

Following the death of Margie, and of Joseph Coffey, Burrell married Beth Ada on May 17, 1885 in Scott Co.  She is however, buried with Joseph in Oneida while Burrell is buried with Margie at his family cemetery in Pine Knot.  Her death certificate reads "Mrs. Ada Coffey or (King)" and her headstone reads "Ada Coffey."  There are no known children born to Burrell and Ada.

Children of Jefferson "Jeff" Coffey and Margie M. King

The first child was William Oscar Coffey, born Mar. 6, 1890 at Pine Knot, died Feb. 18, 1955 in McCreary Co.  His wife was Martha Angeline Trammell (var.), born Oct. 10, 1884 in KY and died there on Jul. 7, 1962.

Their children were:

Ada Bell, born Jul. 4, 1912 in McCreary Co., died Aug. 31, 1995 in Oneida, Scott Co.  Ada's spouse was William Clark, born Sep. 23, 1915, died Mar. 23, 1989.  Both are buried at the Smith Cemetery in Stearns, McCreary Co.

Edith Mae, born May 25, 1917 in McCreary Co., died there on Dec. 28, 1961.  Her spouse was Roscoe Bowling, born Jun. 6, 1916 and died Dec. 18, 1997.  They too are buried at the Smith Cemetery.

Their last child (as I know them) was Margie Marie, born Aug. 30, 1921, died Jul. 4, 2002 in KY.  She married George Arnold Taylor, born Mar. 31, 1921 in McCreary Co., died in Pulaski Co. on Mar. 2, 2003.  They share the Smith Cemetery.

Cole is believed to be on left

The second child born to Jefferson and Margie was Charles Coleman "Cole" Coffey, born Dec. 10, 1891 in TN - probably Scott Co. - and died May 10, 1920 in McCreary Co.  On his WW1 draft registration card, Coleman was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and red hair.  He was a veteran of "The Great War," having served as a Private in the 112 AM, Tn., 37th Div.  I believe the 112th AM was an ammo supply unit that trained at Camp Sheridan in Montgomery Co., AL with the Ohio National Guard's 37th Infantry Division.

Cole is said to have "drank excessively" after he came back home and soon found himself in trouble with one George Staley.  Having heard that George was out to kill him, Cole went to the man's home where he shot and killed George.  He was released when the court decided that it was "self defense."  Some time later, on May 14, 1920, Cole was accused of peddling whiskey and arrested by Oliver Slaven, a deputy sheriff in Somerset, KY.  Cole was able to escape and later that same day was discovered hiding in a nearby home where Slaven, while attempting to again arrest him, was shot and killed.  A few days later, with officers approaching his hideout, Cole fired a bullet into his own head and died instantly.  He was buried at the King Cemetery in Pine Knot.

An article in the Somerset Herald on May 10, 1920 reads:

(Special to the Herald) Somerset, Ky., May 10-- The town of Stearns, near Somerset, was thrown in turmoil this afternoon when Cole Coffey, a miner, shot to death Deputy Sheriff Oliver Slavens, who was attempting to arrest him and a companion named West and afterwards killed himself by shooting through the head with the same revolver with which he had killed the deputy sheriff. Coffey had been accused of having some whisky and when Slavens went to the place where he and West were stopping, Coffey opened fire on Slavens, shooting at him three times, three of the shots taking effect, from which Slavens died a few hours later. When the sheriff went to the home of Coffey to arrest him for the crime Coffey placed a revolver to his head and blew his brains out.

Other children of Jeff and Margie were Ada, born Nov., 1893 in TN; Gertrude M., born 1895 in McCreary Co., died there in 1899; and Fanny, born 1897 in McCreary Co., died there in 1898.  Both Gertrude and Fanny are buried at the King Cemetery.  The disposition of Ada is unknown to me.

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*This cemetery is north of the intersection of US27 (Depot St.) via W. 3d Ave. to Stanley St. Geo-coordinates are Lat. 36 deg., 29 min., 43.02 sec.; Lon. 84 deg., 30 min., 46.01 sec.
After Jeff died, Margie remained a widow for sometime before finally marrying Jess Crabtree of McCreary Co.
Photo and other information about Cole is courtesy of William Jones.

Gilson D. & Hannah Crabtree Coffey - Corrections & Updates

Gilson D. Coffey

Joseph and Beth Ada Strunk Coffey were the parents of 13 children; Gilson was the 12th.  He was born Mar. 25, 1878 in Scott Co., TN and died in McCreary Co., KY n Aug. 23, 1961.  On May 12, 1895 he married Hannah Crabtree in KY.  She was born Mar. 5, 1879 in Whitley Co., KY and died in McCreary Co. on Sep. 13, 1951.  Both are buried at the Lower Hickory Grove Cemetery in McCreary Co.  Gilson was a coal miner for most of his life.

Hannah was the daughter of James and Martha Crabtree.  Hannah was found with her parents in the 1880 census of Marsh Creek, Whitley Co.

Hannah Crabtree

They were the parents of seven children:

Carrie, born Oct. 6, 1900, died Jul. 21, 1921

Nora A., born Mar., 1896
Pearl May, born May 2, 1898, died Dec. 27, 1979

Martha, born 1904. Martha married a Mr. Williams c1925 and had one child, a daughter Barbara, born c1926. She and Williams divorced before Apr. 21, 1930 when she was enumerated as a divorced daughter, in the census with Barbara and her parents on that date.
William "Bill", born Aug, 7, 1906, died Jun. 23, 1955.  Bill married Harriett Bailey, born May 29, 1919 in Florida, died Sep. 17, 2007 in Florida.  They are also buried at Lower Hickory Grove cemetery.

Willard Haskall, born Jan. 17, 1911, died Jun. 30, 1996 in McCreary Co.

Beulah, born 1914 in McCreary Co., died Apr. 2, 2004 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH

I'm still working on this family, keeping an eye open especially for burial sites of the children.

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1900 Whitley Co., West Pine Knot Pct., ED133, Sheet 68B, dwelling 448, family 456, Coffey, Gilson, head, white male, born Mar., 1877, age 23, married once for 5 yrs., born KY, parents born KY, coal miner; Hannah, wife, white female, born Mar., 1878, age 22, married once for 5 yrs., mother of 2, 2 living, born KY, parents born KY; Nora A., dau., white female, born Mar., 1896, age 4, born KY; Pearlie M., dau., white female, born May, 1898, age 2, born KY

1910 Whitley Co., Stearns, Pct. 14, ED239, Sheet 14B, dwelling 267, family 273, Coffey, Gilson D., head, male, white, age 32, married once for 15 yrs., born KY, parents born KY, coal miner; Hannah, wife, female, white, age 31, married once for 15 yrs., mother of 5, 5 living, born KY, parents born KY; Nora, dau., female, white, age 14, single, born KY; Pearlie, dau., female, white, age 11, born KY; Carried, dau., female, white, age 9, born KY; Martha, dau., female, white, age 7, born KY; Willie, son, male, white, age 3, born KY; Perkins, Ernest (?), lodger, male, white, age 18, single, born KY, parents born KY, laborer at lumber mill; Ridner, John, boarder, male, white, age 22, single, born TN, parents born KY, coal miner; Stephens, George, boarder, male, white, age 19, single, born KY, parents born KY, laborer at lumber mill

1920 McCreary Co., Stearns, ED167, Sheet 13A, dwelling 223, family 226, Coffey, Gilson, head, male, white, age 42, married, born KY, parents born KY, coal miner; Hannah, wife, female, white, age 41, married, born KY, parents born KY; Carrie, dau., female, white, age 19, single, born KY, parents born KY, telephone operator; Martha, dau., female, white, age 17, single, born KY; Willie, son, male, white, age 13, single, born KY; Willard, son, male, white, age 9, born KY; Beulah, dau., female, white, age 6, born KY

1930 McCreary Co., Dist 1, ED3, Sheet 27B, dwelling 400, family 410, Coffey, Gils D., head, male, white age 52, married at age 17, born KY, parents born KY, coal miner; Hannah, wife, female, white, age 51, married at age 16, born KY, parents born KY; William son, male, white, age 23, single, born KY, laborer in lumber mill; Willard, son, male, white, age 19, single, born KY, machinist on Railroad; Beula, dau., female, white, age 16, single, born KY; Williams, Martha, dau., female, white, age 26, divorced, born KY, servant for private family; Williams, Barbara, g-dau., female, white, age 3 yrs., 11 mos., born KY, parents born KY

James & Alice Ann Coffey Stanley

Alice Ann Coffey was born Jun. 7, 1880 in Scott Co., TN to Joseph and Beth Ada Strunk Coffey.  Joseph, born Nov. 7, 1829 in Wayne Co., KY was a son of James and Sarah Emerline Sumpter Coffey.  Beth was born Feb. 28, 1835 in Kentucky and was a daughter of William and Charlotte Strunk.

Alice was the youngest of the thirteen known children of Joseph and Beth Ada.  She and James Stanley were married on Jan. 23, 1897 in Scott Co..  James was born Nov. 21, 1878 in KY and died in Scott Co. on Aug. 10, 1949.  Alice died May 15, 1948 in Scott Co.  Both are buried in the Coffey cemetery at Oneida in Scott Co.

I have very limited information on their children:

William Edgar, born Feb. 19, 1898 in Scott Co., died Oct. 13, 1940 in Oneida.  His wife was named Sallie, born Nov. 3, 1899, died Aug., 5, 1973.  After William died Sallie married a Mr. Crooks.  She and William are also buried in the Coffey cemetery at Oneida.

Noly, a daughter, born 1901.

Elizabeth Jane, born Aug., 24, 1905 in Scott Co., died Nov. 16, 1966 in Oneida.

George, born Feb. 18, 1909 in Scott Co., died Mar. 21, 2002 in Danville, Boyle Co., KY

Una Virginia, born Dec. 27, 1912 in Scott Co.

Thomas C., born Apr. 16, 1916 in Scott Co., and died there on Feb. 8, 1970.  He was a volunteer in the US Army during WW2.  He enlisted at Camp Shelby in MS on Mar. 28, 1944.  In addition to the Purple Heart for wounds received during the war, he was also awarded the Bronze Star.  This medal is typically awarded to members of the armed forces for acts of bravely, meritorious service or acts of merit.

See Descendants of Daniel Strunk for additional information.

Benjamin Franklin & Martha Cecelia Dobbs Coffey

Benjamin was born Feb. 10, 1851 in Wayne Co., KY to Nelson N. & Kissie Watters Coffey. His wife, Martha Cecelia Dobbs, was born Mar. 18, 1850 in Wayne Co. to George Washington & Lurany H. Strunk Dobbs. They were married on Dec. 5, 1872 in Whitley Co., KY.

Martha Cecelia Dobbs Coffey with unidentified grandchildren
Photo Courtesy Charles Gilbreath 

Benjamin died of nephritis on on Apr. 6, 1918 in McCreary Co. and is buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Yamacraw. Martha died there of pneumonia on Mar. 5, 1938 and is also buried in the Coffey cemetery.

Their children were:

Nelson, born c1874

Benjamin, Jr., born Wayne Co. on Feb. 16, 1876, died McCreary Co. on Nov. 15, 1855. He married Sallie Belle [?] [May?] Clark on Nov. 11, 1902 in Kentucky. Both are buried in the Coffey cemetery. They were parents of at least 11 children. Some additional information is available.

Tolbert Nelson, born Feb. 5, 1878, died Jul. 15, 1907. He married Sarah Roberts c1899 in Wayne Co. After Tolbert died, Sarah married Andrew Cader Worley on Feb. 9, 1914.

Nettie, born Jun. 10, 1881, died Feb. 20, 1973 in McCreary Co. She married George Phillips on Jan. 24, 1906. He was born c1884 in Wayne Co., and died Jul. 25, 1974 in McCreary Co.

L. Henderson, born Mar. 29, 1886 in Kentucky, died Jan. 5, 1909 in McCreary Co. He married Alice Sims Clark c1905 in Kentucky. She was the daughter of Henry and Rebecca Morrow Clark, born Dec. 5, 1887 in Kentucky, doed Oct. 26, 1979 in Wayne Co. She married second to Alex Blane Tucker in Jan., 1911.

America Florence, born Mar. 11, 1889 in Wayne Co., died Nov. 29, 1993 in Stearns, McCreary Co. Her husband was Sherman L. Corder, born c1891 in Kentucky, died Dec. 25, 1981 in McCreary Co. They were married c1922.

Maggie, born 1893, married James E. Keith.

James Perke, born Aug. 24, 1895 in McCreary Co., and died there on Feb. 14, 1929. He married Clara May Correll, a daughter of William and Rose M. Simpson Correll. They were married Jan. 16, 1924. Both are buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Yamacraw.  Clara died on Sep. 25, 1995 in Sidney, Shelby Co., OH.

Contact me for additional information on ancestors and descendants of this family or, to make corrections.

Jeff Coffey and Rosa Strunk

Jeff Coffey Death Certificate

I'm searching for Shelby Coffey, father of this Jeff Coffey, born Aug. 27, 1887, died Nov. 30, 1928 in McCreary Co., KY. According to Jeff's death certificate, he was married to Rosa Strunk.

The only Jeff, or Jefferson that I can find in the Kentucky census record was son of Lewis Coffey, Jr. and Permelia Ann Tucker Coffey. He was married to Lena [Lina] Barnett c1906 and appears with her from 1910 to 1930 in Wayne Co. Kentucky death records show that he died Aug. 30, 1969 in that county, and is buried there in Elk Spring Valley Cemetery.

Lina was born Oct. 24, 1889 in Wayne Co., and died Oct. 7, 1961 in Somerset, Pulaski Co., KY. She is also buried in Elk Spring.

I have the following in my files:

Shelby, born Aug. 19, 1811 in Wayne Co., son of Lewis Russell and Bidant Moore Coffey, and the husband of Zerilda Emarine Meadows. This Shelby died Sep. 2, 1863 and is buried at Elk Spring.

Shelby, born c1833 in KY. This Shelby could be the son of James Lewis, and the same one found in the 1860 Wayne Co. census with Henderson, brother to James Lewis. I am unsure if Henderson also gave this name to one of his sons, or if the 1860 Shelby is his nephew. Henderson and James Lewis are sons of Lewis and Bidant.

Shelby, born 1832 in Wayne Co., KY, a son of Henderson and Minerva Alexander Coffey

Shelby, born 1852 in Wayne Co., son of John Coffey and Rachel Barrier Coffey. This Shelby married Sarah Perkins on Dec. 26, 1872.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can help with the ID, or can correct any of this information.