Sixth Generation

2184. Silas DeMarcus Coffey⁸¹⁶¹ was born on 23 February 1839 in Indiana. He lived with his parents in Owen Co., IN on 28 August 1850. He lived with his parents in Owen Co., IN on 8 June 1860. Silas enlisted in the in Co. H, 14th Indiana Volunteers in 1861 at .⁸¹⁶² On 25 March 1881 he was appointed County Judge of of the 13th Judicial District of Indiana. .⁸¹⁶³

The Indianapolis Sentinel, Indianapolis, IN, Sat., Mar. 26, 1881, Vol. XXX, Issue: 85, Page 1

Judge of the Thirteenth District

Governor Porter yesterday appointed Silas D. Coffey, of Brazil, Clay County, Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial District, vice Judge Solon T. Turman, deceased. Mr. Coffey is politically a Republican, and is said to be an able lawyer. He was a member of the Thirteenth Indiana Regiment during the late War. Is is said that during the entire campaign he carried a law book around with him, and when mustered out of service the book was almost work out from steady use. Silas died of a a heart attack on 6 March 1904 at the age of 65 in Manatee, Manatee Co., FL and was buried at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Brazil, Clay Co., IN.⁸¹⁶⁴

News article, Terre Haute Evening Gazette, Monday, March 7, 1904, p1

Judge Coffey Dropped Dead

Brazil Jurist Died Suddenly Sunday Night at Manatee, Fla.

Brazil, Ind., March 7 - (Gazette special). - Judge McGregor received a telegram from Wallace Coffey at Manatee, Fla. this morning announcing the death of Silas D. Coffey who dropped dead last night from an attack of heart trouble. The deceased was one of the best known citizens of the state. He was born on a farm in Owen county, February 23, 1839 and in 1860 entered the University of Bloomington where he remained till the breaking out of the Civil war, when he entered the service a member of the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry and served for three years. He moved to this city in 1879, where he has since been recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the county. He was appointed in 1881 by Governor Porter to fill the unexpired term as circuit Judge of Clay and Owen counties of Judge Turman and was subsequently twice elected to the Supreme bench. In 1883 he served six years. Formed a partnership with Judge McGregor for the practice of law three years ago and since that date this firm has been considered one of the strongest in the state. The deceased's remains will be shipped here for burial. A wife and one son, attorney Wallace Coffey, and three daughters survive him. He leaves a large estate.

"Silas D. Coffey was born on a farm in Owen County, Ind. on February 23, 1839. His parents were Hodge R. and Hannah Coffey, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of North Carolina.

"Our subject's early education was acquired through the medium of common schools of that day, until, in the year 1860, he entered the State University at Bloomington, where he remained until the breaking-out of the late rebellion, when he enlisted, first in the three months' service, and then for a year. When President Lincoln issued his 75,000 call, his regiment, the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, responded, and was mustered in for three years, or during the war. He remained on active duty until June, 1863, when he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, serving with it until the term of his enlistment expired the next year.

"The Fourteenth Indiana Infantry won an enviable reputation in the field, and of its number none were more deserving that Mr. Coffey. When he reached home, he determined to enter into the practice of the law, and for that purpose formed a partnership with Allen T. Rose, a prominent and influential member of the bar at Bowling Green. In the autumn of 1868, this connection was dissolved by mutual consent, and another one formed with Maj. W. W. Carter, which continued until after Mr. Coffey was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court.

"In 1866, he was the candidate on the Republican ticket for Prosecuting Attorney for the district composed of the counties of Owen, Greene, Clay and Putnam, Ind., making the race against Hon. John C. Robinson, but the district being largely Democratic, he was of course defeated. In 1873, he was candidate for Circuit Judge in Clay and Putnam Counties, and the same reason operated to prevent his election, although running far in advance of his ticket. His opponent was Judge Solon Turman, of Greencastle, Ind.

"On March 25, 1882, Mr. Coffey was appointed by Gov. Porter to fill the unexpired term of Judge Turman. In June, 1882, he was nominated, by acclamation of the Republican Judicial Convention for the same position. The counties of Clay and Putnam being intensely Democratic, it was at the time supposed to be impossible to elect a Republican nominee, but in the fall he was elected over the Democratic candidate, James J. Smiley, by a majority of 655, carrying his own county (which gave a Democratic majority of 190 on the State ticket) by a majority of 128.

"November 1, 1864, Judge Coffey married Miss Caroline L. Byles, daughter of William and Sarah Byles, of Baltimore, Md., and to this union have been born one son and three daughters. As an attorney he is possessed of find social qualities, is quiet and unobtrusive, and of undoubted integrity. He also stands high as a member of the Masonic fraternity."

Silas DeMarcus Coffey and Caroline LaRue Byles were married on 1 November 1864.²⁰¹⁶ They²⁰¹⁶ appeared in the census on 5 July 1870 in Clay Co., IN.⁸¹⁶⁵ They⁸¹⁶⁵ appeared in the census on 22 June 1880 in Clay Co., IN.⁸¹⁶⁶ Silas and Caroline⁸¹⁶⁶ appeared in the census on 2 June 1900 in Clay Co., IN.⁸¹⁶⁷ Caroline LaRue Byles, daughter of William Byles and Sarah , was born circa 1846 in Baltimore, Baltimore Co., MD. Caroline was injured when her buggy overturned on 8 March 1894 on main street in Brazil, Clay Co., IN.⁸¹⁶⁸

The Elkhart Daily Review, Mon., Mar. 12, 1894, Page 4

Judge Coffey's Wife Badly Injured

Brazil, March 8. - The wife of Supreme Judge S. D. Coffey was badly injured in a runaway. While driving down Main street the horse was frightened by a street car and became unmanageable, overturning the buggy and throwing Mrs. Coffey and her daughter to the ground. The buggy fell on Mrs. Coffey. He face is badly bruised and it is thought she is internally injured. Her daughter was unhurt. She appeared in the census on 26 April 1910 in Clay Co., IN.⁸¹⁶⁹ She died of a heart attack on 9 April 1915 at the age of 69 in Brazil, Clay Co., IN and was buried at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Brazil, Clay Co., IN on 11 April 1915.⁸¹⁷⁰

Obituary, Terre Haute Tribune, Friday, April 9, 1915, p2

Mrs. Caroline Coffey

By Special Correspondent.

Brazil, Ind., April 9--Mrs. Caroline Coffey, widow of the late Judge Silas D. Coffey, at one time on the supreme bench, passed away at the home on South Forest avenue about 2 o'clock this morning after several weeks illness of general debility, aged 79 years.

The deceased was born in Pennsylvania and was married to the late Judge Coffey in 1864, following his return from the civil war. The deceased is survived by one son, Wallace Coffey, of Terre Haute, and three daughters, Mrs. Dr. Richards, of Owen county; Mrs. William Sanders, of Chicago, and Miss Nettie Coffey, of this city. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

News item, The Terre Haute Star, Saturday, April 10, 1915, p2

Widow of Supreme Judge Died in Brazil

Mrs. Caroline Byles Coffer [sic], 78 Years Old, Suddenly Succumbs to Attach of Heart Trouble

Brazil, Ind., April 9 __ (Special) __ Mrs. Caroline Byles Coffey, 78 years old, died suddenly at her home, 908 South Forest avenue, at 2:30 o'clock this morning of heart trouble. She was the widow of Judge Silas D. Coffey, who served on the supreme bench of Indiana for a number of years, and also was judge of the Clay Circuit Court.

Mrs. Coffey had lived in Brazil for many years and was an active worker in church and civic organizations. She was a member of the Ladies Literary Society, Woman's Relief Corps and of the First Methodist Church. She was married to Judge Coffey Nov. 1, 1864, on his return from the Civil War. They located in Bowling Green, the old county seat, where Mr. Coffey began the practice of law. About 28 years ago the family moved to Brazil.

Mrs. Coffey is survived by three daughters and one son, Mrs. Ida L. Sanders of Chicago, Mrs. Emma J. Richards of Owen County, Miss Netta Coffey of Brazil and Wallace Coffey of Terre Haute. The funeral will be held at the residence at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon with burial beside her late husband in Cottage Hill Cemetery.

Silas DeMarcus Coffey and Caroline LaRue Byles had the following children: