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E. G. COFFIN, Mayor, Springfield. 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 sage. 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, width the exception
of our subject. and are married and doing well Elijah was born Not. 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 lath war, and was elected 2d Lieutenant of Co. I.
146th O. V. I.; 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; reelected in 1870; was again elected in 1876, and was reelected
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.
From:
History of Clark County, Ohio
W. H. Beers & Co.
Chicago 1881
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