Denton Darby Coffey (1859-1921)

Denton Darby Coffey couldn't keep a wife and couldn't keep out of court for much of the last 13 years of his life.

He was a son of German J. and Mary Margaret Smith Coffey and was born in the Oregon Territory on Jun. 8, 1859.  German's father was Nebuzaradan Coffey and his mother, Elizabeth Easley.  German was born in Simpson Co., KY in 1827 and came to Oregon with his parents on the Oregon Trail in 1847.

German married Mary on Jul. 6, 1856 in Lane Co., OR and they had at least seven children: Mary L.; John Crittenden; Denton Darby; Edith L.; Ellen; Tecumseh Sherman; and Frank Nebuzaradon. Denton appears to be the one child in that family that had a lot of problems keeping his nose clean.

Denton married Mary Catherine Drury in Linn Co., OR on Dec. 25, 1878. They appeared childless in the 1880 Fox Valley, Linn Co., OR census.  It appears that Mary died, perhaps in child birth and sometime circa 1895 Denton married Carrie W. Woodrum. They appeared as a family in the 1900 Multnomah Co., OR census with daughter, Verne, born in 1896.

Verne married Irving V. Alvord on Feb. 13, 1920 in Weber Co., UT.  Irving was born in Utah in 1887 to Irvin Thadius Alvord and Sylvia Stone.

Denton and Carrie, the daughter of Elijah and Martha E. Deupree Woodrum, apparently divorced and Denton took his third wife, Margaret M. South c1907. There appears to have been no children born to this union.

In the meantime, Carrie took as her second husband, Irvin Thadius Alvord on Feb. 14, 1918.  With that marriage, she became mother-in-law to her daughter, Verne Coffey Alvord!

Denton and His Problems with the Legal System

When he and Carrie divorced in June, 1907, Denton was ordered by the court to pay $10 per month to Carrie for support of their child, Verne.  When he failed to do that, Carrie charged him with fraud and took him to court.  The judge was convinced that Denton was attempting to defraud his daughter but, gave him sometime to get the problem solved.

When Denton failed to follow up he was ordered by the Judge to pay Carrie $160 alimony. Earlier, when the divorce had been granted and he failed to pay her the $10 per month support, she brought suit and prevailed in the amount of $160. When Denton failed to pay that, the Sheriff was directed to seize some of Denton's property, but none could be found.  It appeared that Denton had placed everything in the name of his next wife, Mary Margaret South.  So, Carrie took him and Margaret back to court and charged both with conspiracy to defraud his creditors. Testimony showed that Denton had given Margaret a "$25 diamond as a Christmas present in 1907, he had not paid his first wife's alimony."  We don't know if Denton ever paid Carrie the money due her; no further newspaper reports have been found.

News about Denton was missing from 1909 until 1916 when on Sep. 2 of that year he and two pals were indicted for wire tapping.  He,  Charles B. Dill, a hotel clerk and Edwin G. Hayman, a salesman were charged with tapping the telephone line to the office of Dr. Anna M. Wheeler in the Platt Building in Portland.

Dr. Wheeler had previously sued a Mr. F. D. Stephenson of Wadhams & Co. for libel and had won.  She charged that Coffey and the other two miscreants were bought and paid for by Stephenson with the intent of ruining her reputation in revenge for her court triumph over him.

It appears that Dr. Wheeler had obtained a divorce from her husband, Dr. Glenn Wheeler and had charged him with abandonment.  She received the divorce on Jul. 17, 1916 but the decree had never been made public. Apparently, Stephenson knew something about that and hired Coffey, et al. to tap her office phone.  The plotters learned of the divorce through the wiretap. Dr. Anna Wheeler had apparently had an affair with one Mr. Alex G. Riddell who was being sued by his wife, Mrs. Marie Riddell for divorce.  She had named Dr. Anna as "the other woman."

The trial for wire tapping went on for more than a year, most often delayed by continuance. Apparently, the men never went to trial because on Feb. 3, 1917 an item appeared in The Oregonian reporting that charges against the three men "were never pressed."

Denton Darby Coffey Obituary

Finally, on Sep. 13, 1921, Denton died in Portland and was buried at Rose City Cemetery in that city.  His obituary mentions his wife, Mary M. and a child, Mrs. Lulu Cane.  I am unsure who the mother of this child was.  It is the only place where I have found her mentioned while looking for information about Denton.

There are a few twists and turns in the story and some information missing from the newspapers.  Hopefully, I have captured the gist of the problems Denton had, first with ex-wives and then with the wire tapping charge. It is mentioned in some news articles that Mary Margaret South was his fourth wife, but I have not been able to find more than three.  I would be interested in hearing from anyone who knows exactly how many wives he did have.

Readers can download a free copy of Vol. 131 of the Coffey Cousins Newsletter in PDF format. Pages 9 and 10 contain more information about the 1909 trial.

Ain't family history fun?

Chisolm R. Coffey (1885-1935)

Chisholm R. Coffey was a son of William Edmondson and Nancy Louisa Daniel, who descended from Edward through his son John, his son Rev. James, his son Rice, his son Henry Bradford and finally, his son William Edmondson.

The Gadsden Times, Jan. 14, 1935

CHEROKEE MAN KILLS ANOTHER IN SUNDAY ROW

Chisholm Coffey Shot to Death by Will Ashley

Chisholm R. Coffey, 48, successful Cherokee County farmer, and one of the best known men of county, was shot and killed by Will Ashley, 47, at Blue Pond Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock. The shooting is said to have been witnessed by six people, present at the Blue Pond depot on the T. A. G. Railway where the difficulty took place.

Ashley remained at the place of the shooting and sent for the sheriff, according the report, and gave himself up to the authorities. He was lodged in the Cherokee County Jail at Centre.

According to a statement issued by Ashley to investigating officers, the shooting took place after the men had been engaged in a scuffle. Ashley told the sheriff that Coffey "abused and threatened" him and also that Coffey choked him or was attempting to choke him. He did not make a further statement. A pistol was the weapon used in the slaying and it was reported that four or five shots were fired.

Coffey was a member of one of the most prominent families of North Alabama. His mother, before her marriage was Miss Louise Daniel and her family was one of the big landholders of that part of the state. Coffey also owned large farming interests in the county, his place being situated in the valley about five miles above Blue Pond.

Funeral services for Mr. Coffey will be conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the home and burial will follow at the Daniel cemetery with Brown-Service directing. The Rev. J. M. McHugh will have charge of the services.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Evan Owen, of Gadsden; Miss Lillian Coffey, of Round Mountain; Miss Sara Lou Coffey, of Gadsden; and Miss Frances and Miss Mary Coffey of Round Mountain; two sons, William and Tom Coffey of Round Mountain; three sisters, Mrs. Janie Phillips and Mrs. Mattie Elliott, of Gadsden, and Mrs. Carrie Bostic, of West Virginia.

Chisholm and his wife, Frances Eula Wheeler, a daughter of Drew and Alice Alexander Wheeler, were the parents of at least 9 children, the youngest of which was about six years old at the time of his father's death; the eldest about 23.

Children:  Infant male, born Dec. 13, 1909, died Dec. 20, 1909; Alice, born c1912; Lillian Nell, born c1915; Frances, born c1917; Mary, born c1919, married a Mr. Wood and died Jan 31, 2012 at Cedar Bluff in Cherokee Co.; William, born c1922; Thomas, born c1924; Sarah Lou, born c1928 and Alice, born c1929.

Alton Powell Coffey

Alton Powell Coffey, and his twin Arthur Livingston Coffey were born on July 3, 1904 in Nashville, Brown Co., IN to William Lewis and Rosa Belle Clarke Coffey.  William Lewis was a son of Richard L. and Julia Mattie Mason Coffey in the Edward Coffey/Ann Powell line.

Alton's other siblings were Lela Marie, born 1895, for whom I have no information; James William Wendell Coffey, 1902, died 1973 at Tucson, Pima Co., AZ and, Marguerite, 1910, again no info.  Arthur died in 1972 and is buried at Greenlawn in Nashville, Brown Co., IN.

Alton graduated from high school in about 1922 and began study at the John Herron Art School in Indianapolis.  For four years he studied under William Forsyth and Clifton Wheeler and, became an accomplished artist. Although he had studied figure and still life painting, he produced memorable landscape paintings.

I believe many of his paintings are being sold today at auction.  Some details are available at the Ask/Art website where I found these samples.  Some other of his paintings can be found by searching for "Alton Powell Coffey" on Google.

Note:  I believe that in order to get anything other than what you see on the Ask/Art website, you have to become a patron through paid membership.  I believe that membership can be on a monthly or yearly basis.

Alton married Pauline Wilkinson, born May 11, 1919 in Brown Co. on Sep. 11, 1937.  They appeared in the Apr. 24, 1940 census in Wayne Township, Marion Co., IN when he was 35 and Pauline was about 18.  Although married for nearly three years, they did not have any children.  Alton was employed as an inspector of motors in an aviation motor plant.  In 1942, the couple appeared in the Indianapolis city directory, residing at 4924 W. 24th.

He died in Jul., 1978 at the age of 74 in Brown Co. and is thought to have also been buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in Nashville, Brown Co.  with his mother and father.  I have not found any clues yet to the death date or place of burial for Pauline.  She was not yet 60 when Alton died and may have remarried.

Updates and corrections welcomed.

  Jack

Jordan & Rachel Lorinda Coffey Hampton

Rachel Lorinda "Rinda" Coffey was a daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy A. Raines Coffey.  She was born on Nov. 14, 1856 in Haywood Co., NC and died Oct. 14, 1934 in the Blue Ridge Twp. of Watauga Co., NC.*  She was probably buried alongside Jordan in the Hampton Family cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Jordan was a son of Emanuel and Sarah Orilla Moreland Hampton and was born Sep. 10, 1856 in Watauga Co.  He and Rachel were married there on Nov. 7, 1875.**  Over the next 30 years, Rachel became the mother of at least 15 children.  The family appeared in every Watauga Co. census from 1880 until 1930, the last available.

The children as I have them:

Martha L., born Sep. 6, 1875, died Nov. 16, 1940 at Blowing Rock.  Her spouse was James Carey Ashley, born Feb. 2, 1868 in Wilkes Co. to Benjamin and Sarah Brown Ashley.  They were married on May 10, 1899 in Watauga Co.  James died Jun. 30, 1955 in Blowing Rock.  Both are buried at Middle Fork Cemetery in Boone.

Emanuel Arkie "Arkie", born Dec. 26, 1879, died Dec. 19, 1963 in Boone.  He married Mary Ann Storie on Nov. 19, 1905 in Patterson, Caldwell Co.  She was born in NC c1883.  Their daughter, Adda Leona Hampton, born Oct. 14, 1918, died Sep. 23, 1968 in Blowing Rock, married Rhonda Lester Coffey, a son of Rufus Monroe and Emma Eliza Robbins Coffey.  Arkie is buried at Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery at Boone.  I have found no other info on Mary Ann.

Harley E., born 1881, died unknown.  He married Estella Lay on Jul. 28, 1901 in Deerfield, Watauga Co.***

William Spencer, born Jul. 21, 1882, died Sep. 7, 1964 at Boone.¹

Sarah Elizabeth, born Nov. 11, 1883.  No further information.

Eliza Jane, born Jul 30, 1886, died Jan. 23, 1972 in Watauga Co.  Her spouse was Roby Luther Storie, a son of J. L. & Martha Caroline Curtis Storie.  He was born Sep. 9, 1879 in Caldwell Co. and died at Boone on Oct. 12, 1952.¹  They were married on May 31, 1908 in Watauga Co.***  Both are buried at Mount Lawn Memorial Park in Boone.

Rev. Jesse Amos, born Jul. 30, 1886, married Verta Harrison, daughter of Jeremiah William and Delphia Melinda Cook Harrison on Aug. 13, 1911 in Watauga Co.  Rev. Hampton died a horrible death on Jan. 12, 1927 when he was crushed in his mill while removing ice from the wheel.  He is buried at the Hampton Cemetery in Boone.¹  Verta was born Aug. 15, 1884 and died Aug. 14, 1966 at Blowing Rock.  She is also buried at the Hampton Cemetery.  Another daughter of Jeremiah and Delphia married Newton Leonard Harrison, a son of Anson Lafayette and Eliza Jane Coffey Harrison.  Eliza was also a daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey.
Walter, born Feb. 3, 1889 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 10, 1956 in Statesville, Iredell Co., NC. He was buried at Mount Lawn in Boone.

Finimore Lindley, born Dec. 5, 1890, died Apr. 18, 1970 at Boone.  He married Nevada Bowles on Jun. 29, 1913 in Watauga Co.***  Nevada was born Jul. 1, 1894 in Watauga Co., died at Boone on Jan. 23, 1994.  Both are buried at Mount Vernon.

Constance "Connie" Geneva, born Oct. 12, 1992, died Mar. 3, 1984 at Boone.  She married Joseph William "Joe" Wheeler on Jan. 31, 1915 in Watauga Co.***  Joe was born May 1, 1892 in that county and died at Triplett, Elk Twp., Watauga Co. on May 9, 1951.  Joe's death certificate reports his burial in the "family cemetery" at Triplett.  Connie is probably also buried there.

Birdie, born Oct. 25, 1894.  No further information.

Oliver Estes, born Aug. 1, 1898 at Blowing Rock, died on Oct. 15, 1937 at Statesville.  He married Inez Day, born 1899 in NC, on Feb. 14, 1918 in Watauga Co.***  Oliver is buried at Boone in the Hampton Cemetery.

Elzy (Elsie?) Caroline was born Dec. 21, 1898, married Mar. 2, 1919*** to J. W. Johnson, born in NC c1895.

Jeremiah Russell, born May 8, 1902, died Dec. 21, 1954 in Watauga Co.  He married Fannie Lee Herman, a daughter of Carroll Marvin and Essie Loaney Coffey Herman on Dec. 25, 1921** in Watauga Co.  Essie was a daughter of John Nelson "Nels" and Laura Ann Henley Coffey.  Jeremiah is buried at Mount Lawn.  Fannie died Jul. 18, 1990 at Boone and is probably also buried at Mount Lawn.

Child number 15 was Theodore Augustus "Gus," born May 30, 1904, died Jun. 12, 1956 at Boone.  He married Edna Serena Green, daughter of Albert and Bertha Triplett Greer on Feb. 1, 1926 at Bamboo in Watauga Co.***  Edna was born Sep. 25, 1906 in Watauga Co. and died Jun. 6, 2008 at Boone.

Obituary, The Watauga Democrat, Jun. 10, 2008

Mrs. Edna Serena Greer Hampton, 101, of 206 Ridgewood Road, Deep Gap, died Friday, June 6, 2008, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.

She was born Sept. 25, 1906 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Albert and Bertha Triplett Greer.

Mrs. Hampton was one of the original 43 charter members of Trinity Baptist Church in Deep Gap, N.C., where she attended for many years and also taught Sunday School.

A life well lived, Edna is fondly remembered by her family and friends as a maker of beautiful quilts, fine embroidery, good cooking, love of family, and a gentle spirit. As a descendant of some of the first settlers in this area (as well as Daniel Boone’s sister and Benjamin Greer, a soldier of the Revolutionary War) she is one of the last of a pioneering breed of true Americans. She enjoyed most of all family get-togethers, always featuring loads of good food. Edna enjoyed gathering and preserving food when in season. She is remembered best sitting at her quilting frames, or holding an embroidery hoop and needle, peeling and paring vegetables and fruits for canning, drying, freezing or preserving.

Survivors include four daughters, Rosella (Kay) Nolte of Millersville, Md., Evalee Stone of Lenoir, Bonnie Steelman and husband, Harold, of Deep Gap, and Margaret Jewell of Raleigh; two sons, Dale Hampton and wife, Marie, of Boone, and Kenneth Hampton and wife, Hazel, of Bowling Brook, Ill.; one sister, Maude Clawson of Boone; and four half-sisters, Bernice Cox of Lenoir, Ruth Miller of Boone, Gladys Gilbert and Melba Hayes, both of Boomer. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Obituary Photo

She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Augustus Hampton (Gus); two daughters, Reba Rourke; and an infant, Shelby Jean Hampton; one grandson, Claude Nolte; three sons-in-law, Robert Rourke, Bernard G. Stone and Joseph Jewell; three sisters, Mrs. Lawrence "Maggie" Green, Mrs. Walter "Lily" Triplette and Mrs. Willard "Ora" Watson; two brothers, Virgil Greer and Sherman Greer; two half-brothers, Bynum Greer and Vaughan Greer; and one half-sister, Chloe Greer.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon, June 9, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:30 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Dr. Wayne Brown. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends, Monday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the home of Bonnie and Harold Steelman, 206 Ridgewood Road, Deep Gap.

Online condolences may be sent to the Hampton family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

---

*Racheal L. Hampton, death certificate No. 442 (14 October 1934), Bureau of Vital Statistics, North Carolina State Board of Health, Caldwell Co., NC. (familysearch.org)
**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).
***North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).
¹Source available on request 

Note:  Someone appears to have been cropped out of the family photo.  A shoulder and arm appears to the far right. Source of photo unknown; appears to be from a publication.