In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1908) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1830, Harmony Township
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908), The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881)
E. G. COFFIN, Mayor, Springtield. Elijah G. Coffin is one of the most noted men of Clark County; his father, Philander Coffin, was a native of Vermont; he came to this county in 1818, the year of its organization. His marriage to Miss Martha Smith was celebrated in 1830; her parents, Jeremiah and Martha Smith, were natives of New Jersey, and also settled here in 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Coffin were parents of Elijah G., Elishabe, Caroline, Martin L., William H., Elizabeth, Orlevee and George W.; another daughter, Elmira, died when 7 years of age. Their settlement was made in Harmony Township. In 1835, Mr. Coffin moved to Allen County, from there to Shelby County, and again moved to Stark Co., Ind., where his death occurred in 1871.
The widow and children all live there. with the exception of our subject, and are married and doing well Elijah was born Nov. 27, 1830; at the age of 18, he engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and continued in this business fifteen years. During this time, he was wedded to Miss Mary Haley; she was born in Ireland in 1825, and came alone to America. Three only of their eight children are now living— Olive, Florence and Cora; Olive is the wife of James J. Kinnane, and Cora wedded Charles Hayward. Mr. Coffin volunteered in the United States service during the late war, and was elected 2d Lieutenant of Co. I, 146th O. V. L; after his return from the army, he was a number of times elected to official positions in the township, in all of which he gave satisfaction; during this time, he engaged in the hotel and livery business in South Charleston. He was elected Sheriff of Clark County in 1868: re-elected in 1870; was again elected in 1876, and was re-elected the third time in 1878. He was the most popular Sheriff Clark County ever had, and has given universal satisfaction, as attested by his several terms of office. At the recent city election he was chosen Mayor of Springfield by a handsome’ majority. In connection with Asa Whitehead, an addition to the city of Springfield was made in 1874. Mr. Coffin also laid out another addition in 1880, which lots were soon disposed of; he has also dealt considerably in real estate, and is numbered among Springfield’s substantial citizens. For the past twelve years, he has been Deputy United States Marshal, and Coroner four years. His city residence is a tasty one. He is one of our self-made men, having but 10 cents in his pocket when he first came to Springfield, but, by honesty, industry and economy. has amassed a fortune of $50,000 at least, and will leave a record for his descendants upon which they may look with pride.
As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ELIJAH GODFREY COFFIN, a retired citizen of Springfield, who has been identified with this city and its interests for the past forty years, was born November 27, 1830, in Harmony Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Philander Coffin.
Philander Coffin was born in 1811, in Waterbury, Vermont, and in 1818 he accompanied his parents to Clark County, Ohio, New England contributing largely to the early settlement of this section. Philander Coffin lived in Clark County until 1835, when he moved to Allen County, later to Shelby County and, in 1845, to Stark County, Indiana, where his death took place.
Elijah G. Coffin worked on the home farm in Clark County and attended the district schools until he was eighteen years of age. He then learned the shoemaker's trade at South Charleston, which he followed there for fifteen years, becoming a prominent citizen of the place, and serving as justice of the peace and also as mayor. In 1868 he was elected sheriff of Clark County and was subsequently re-elected to the same office, serving four terms in all. In 1868 he located at Spring-field and in 1880, he was elected mayor of the city, and served for two years with marked efficiency. He was then engaged in a real estate business and in farming until 1886, when he was appointed warden of the Ohio penitentiary for four years. In 1896 he was re-appointed for four years more. Since the expiration of his second term, Mr. Coffin has lived retired in some degree, although he still is interested in the buying and shipping of horses. He is a man of ample resoui'ces, owning two of Clark County's finest farms. His public career was one of continued efficiency and his record is that of an honest, faithful and thoroughly capable public servant.
In 1852, Mr. Coffin was married to Mary Haley, who was born and reared in Ireland. They have three surviving children, namely: Olive, who is the wife of James J. Kinnane, of Kinnane Brothers; Florence, who is the wife of W. A. Biddie, of Springfield; and Cora, who resides at home. For more than fifty years Mr. Coffin has been a member of the Masonic fraternity.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: James J. Kinnane (b. 1853)
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.