In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1837
From The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881)
GEORGE W. COFFEY, farmer; P. O. Catawba. George W. Coffey was born July 26, 1837, upon his father's farm in Pleasant Township; was raised and educated a farmer, and has been engaged in that way and raising stock most of hislife. After he attained his manhood, he went West and taught school several terms while there. He returned and enlisted in Company D, 3d O. V. I., and went forward to battle for this great and glorious Union. He was engaged in a great many hard battles, and was in the Belle Isle Prison a short time. After his return from service, he married Miss Margaret A., daughter of Joseph and Jane Furgason, of this county. Their marriage was celebrated Oct. 24, 1865; they have had three children, viz., Bert, Mary and Kemp. He owns a nice farm of 42 acres one mile south of Catawba. He is a son of William Coffey, whose sketch will be found in this work.
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.
Named in this biography: William Coffey
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.