Eighth Generation

7497. Benjamin Tecumseh "Ben" Coffey was born on 3 December 1889 in Sullivan Co., IN.⁵¹²⁶ He lived with his uncle Benjamin Coe in Wayne Co., IA on 27 June 1900. He registered for the WWI draft on 5 June 1917 in Wayne Co., IA.²⁴²²⁹ Ben died on 27 August 1972 at the age of 82 in Wayne Co., IA and was buried at Corydon Cemetery in Corydon, Wayne Co., IA on 30 August 1972.²⁴²³⁰

Benjamin Tecumseh "Ben" Coffey and Nellie Jane Allred were married on 16 February 1916 in Humeston, Wayne Co., IA.²⁴²³¹ They²⁴²³¹ appeared in the census on 2 January 1920 in Clay Twp., Wayne Co., IA.²⁴²³² Nellie Jane Allred, daughter of Abraham Lincoln Allred and Janet Wallace, was born on 17 January 1896 in Wayne Co., IA. Nellie died on 5 March 1920 at the age of 24 in Humeston, Wayne Co., IA and was buried at Green Bay Cemetery in Humeston, Wayne Co., IA on 7 March 1920.²⁴²³³

Obituary, Humeston New Era, March 10, 1920

Obituary

Mrs. Nellie J. Allred Coffey was born Jan. 17, 1896, in Wayne county, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Benjamin T. Coffey Feb. 16, 1916. To them were born two children, Alda M. aged 3 years and Leith M. aged 13 months. Mrs. Coffey was converted at the age of twelve years in the M. E. church at Maple Grove, in 1908, and has been a faithful member ever since; she was loyal to her church and her Christ. She was a kind loving wife and mother, teaching her children the love of Christ from infancy. Taking her children in her arms on her death bed and saying, "Learn to love Jesus and go to Sunday School." Her last request was that her children be raised up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Her whole hearts' desire in life was to be a blessing to others.

Upon the fly leaf of her Bible she had written this motto: "For we must share if we would keep the blessing from above; cease to give we cease to have, such is the law of love. Jesus spent his life not, in being ministered unto, but in ministering to the need of others. He has given his followers the privilege of learning the blessing that comes from giving, not only our money, but our time and our interest, to those who need our help."

In the last moments of her life she offered a sweet prayer and gave as sweet a testimony as was ever heard from human lips, saying that she saw the pearly gates unfold and she was going to Heaven to be with Jesus. Then she sang the chorus of, "Meet me there, meet me there, where the tree of life is blooming, meet me there, On that happy golden shore, where the faithful part no more, meet me there." Her husband was standing on one side of the bed and her father on the other side; they reached across the bed and clasped hands, as a promise to meet her there; she placed her hands on theirs and finished the chorus and went home to be with Jesus. (Many others witnessed the scene.)

Nellie passed away to be with her Lord, March 5th, 1920, aged 24 years, 1 month and 17 days. She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, two children, father and mother Allred, five sisters, namely; Mrs. C. V. Holder, Patterson, Calif.; Mrs. Lloyd E. Coffey, Humeston, Iowa; Jena V. and Nina Allred at home; three brothers: Wallace, Harley and Bernie Allred at home. Mother Coffey and chidren, five sons and one daughter: Cresse Coffey, Newt Coffey, Bennie Coffey, Dick Coffey, Clyde Coffey, Mrs. Ethel Coffey Poland and a host of relatives, friends and neighbors.

The services were held in the Unity Baptish church Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock, conducted by L B. Wilkinson, pastor. The music was furnished by a special quartette: Mr. Holly Garton, Mr. Ray Evans, Mrs. Ross Able and Mrs. Nellie Holder, Mrs. Goudy presiding at the piano. Pall bearers were: Daisy Surbaugh, Ufa Evans, Mabel Reed, Stella Hickman, Mary Beals and Lena Gibson. Interment was in Green Bay cemetery.

"Darling Nellie thou hast left us,
And thy loss we deeply feel,
But tis God who has bereaved us;
He can all our sorrows heal."

Card of Thanks

To those who gave us sympathy and aid in the sickness and death of our beloved wife, mother and daughter Nellie, we offer our sincere thanks and appreciation, and for the beautiful flowers in the last tribute.

Bennie Coffey, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Allred and family. Mrs. M. S. Coffey and family.

Benjamin Tecumseh "Ben" Coffey and Nellie Jane Allred had the following children:

Benjamin Tecumseh "Ben" Coffey and Mary Louise Kirchner were married on 9 January 1927 in Corydon, Wayne Co., IA.²⁴²³⁴ They²⁴²³⁴ appeared in the census on 3 April 1930 in Richman Twp., Wayne Co., IA.²⁴²³⁵ They²⁴²³⁵ appeared in the census on 8 April 1940 in Benton Twp., Wayne Co., IA.²⁴²³⁶ Mary Louise Kirchner, daughter of George C. Kirchner and Margaret Rose Fritz, was born in 1899 in Wayne Co., IA. Mary died in 1994 at the age of 95 in Corydon, Wayne Co., IA and was buried at Corydon Cemetery in Corydon, Wayne Co., IA.²⁴²³⁷