Updated: 07 Sep 2009
[Newspaper name not stated]
April 1917
Services conducted by Rev. H. C. VanHorn, Pastor First Christian Church, assisted by Rev. C. T. Lane, Pastor University Place Christian Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Interment Fairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Obituary
John Hardin Coffey
We are called upon to record the passing from earth of John Hardin Coffey, who
died at his home, 1714 West Thirty-second Street, Oklahoma City, Okla., on
Sunday, April 29, 1917, at 4:30 P. M. He had been suffering for the past week
from a stroke of paralysis. He was first stricken with this dread disease on
December 27, 1913, and in all has suffered some four or five strokes. He had
been rendered entirely helpless by the last one and suffered intensely until the
end came. He was born in Griggsville, Ill., August 31, 1847, hence was 69 years
seven months and 29 days of age. He was the fourth child in a family of ten,
consisting of six sons and four daughters, children of Daniel F. and Elizabeth
Coffey. His parents, two sisters and one brother have gone before him. He is
survived by brothers N. F. Coffey of Black Rock, Ark.; B. B. Coffey of St.
Joseph, No.; D. F. Coffey of Cape Gireardeau, Mo.; T. M. Coffey of Alva, Who.,
and sisters Mrs. M. R. Staley of Britton, Okla., and Miss Mary Coffey of Kansas
City, Mo. The two sisters and one brother, B. B. Coffey of St. Joseph, Mo., were
present at the funeral services. He grew to manhood in the town of his birth and
was educated in the common schools afforded at that time. He lost his father
while still quite young and sometime later left Griggsville for West Grove, Owa,
where his brother, N. F. Coffey, was engaged in business. Soon after the two
brothers removed to Bloomfield, Owa, where they engaged in the grain and
elavator business. While living there he met Miss Ellen Martin and was married
to her October 14, 1875. This has been a long and happy union broken only by his
death. To them were born five children, three daughters and two sons. Anna, Earl
and Nina died early in life. His daughter, Mrs. James Bragg of 507 West
Seventeenth Street, Oklahoma City, and his son Paul Coffey of 1601 West
Twenty-eighth Street, Oklahoma City, Okla., survive him. These, together with
the faithful wife and mother, are left to mourn his going. After their marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Coffey resided in Bloomfield, Iowa, twelve years. Then they removed
to Western Kansas, living there five years. Then they removed to St. Joseph,
Mo., where they remained four years, removing to Brunswick, Mo., where they
lived until 1901, when they came to Edmond, Okla., living there one year, and
then came to Oklahoma City, where they have lived for the past fifteen years. He
confessed his faith in Christ and united with the Baptist Church in early
boyhood at Griggsville, Ill. Some eleven years after his marriage he united with
the Christian church at Bloomfiled, Iowa, under the preaching of Brother H. A.
Northcut. Brother Northcut and his daughter were close firends of the family,
often making their home with Mr. and Mrs. Coffey. He has kept the faith all
these years. He has held the office of deacon and elder in the church. He loved
the church and gave much of his time and strength to it in the days of his
health. He united with the first church of Oklahoma City on August 11, 1907. Mr.
Coffey was a quiet, earnest man. He made friends never to lose them. He was an
ideal husband and father and his dear ones rise up today to call him blessed. He
worked hard all his life and never complained of his lot. His home was a home
for ministers or strangers or afflicted. He was ready to share with the needy at
any time. He was upheld by an unwavering faith in the Master and the awaiting
home of his soul. He has gone from us, but to be present with the Lord.
SOURCE: Ancestry Message Board [Dec 2001]