Veteran Civil War - Company G, 16th Iowa
Alexander was the son of Elisha Brown Coffin and Ruth Kenyon. He married Mary Allen on Dec 9, 1857 in Cambridge, NY. They were the parents of Allen, Ruth, Albert, and Adelbert.
September 3, 1920 - Humboldt Republican - Alexander Norton Coffin was born in Easton, Washington county, N.Y., March 30, 1834, and at the time of his death was 86 years, 4 months, and 24 days of age.
He was left an orphan at the age of five years, and was reared by an uncle, Isaac Coffin. He was educated in the public schools near his home. He was a school mate of Ex-President Chester A. Arthur, whose sister was his teacher, and whose father was his pastor.
He married Mary C. Allen of Cambridge, New York, Dec. 9, 1857. The following spring he with his wife, sister Caroline, brother Edward and a cousin and uncle left New York to come west. They came as far as Dyersville, Iowa, by train, where they left Mrs. Coffin and her sister and started on foot to Fort Dodge. From there they came north to McKnight's Point in Wacousta township this county, after days of travel looking over the country. Often hungry, always tired, they found the hospitable cabin of an early settler.
In those days every cabin kept open house to every stranger. They were shown the beauties and advantages of the location, and decided to remain. In June they went to Dyersville and brought wife and sister to their new home. Many were the hardships encountered in travel. Sloughs and mud where teams would be mired, then wagons were unloaded of goods and the occupants carried out to a place of safety and the mud gone through. Arriving at their destination they proceeded to get a home started.
A.N. Coffin took the N.E. of Sec. 32, and Griffin took the N.W. 1/4 of the same section. Thomas Griffin took the S.E. 1/4. They took as their dividing line the "Trail from Fort Dodge to Emmetsburg." Then all proceeded to break the virgin soil, but on having found that all had plowed on the northeast quarter, and considering the southeast too wet for cultivation, the northwest quarter owned by A.N. Coffin was abandoned, and because of sickness, Alex Coffin was left victor of the situation.
He built a frame house in Wacousta township in 1858, and it was the only frame house between Emmetsburg and Humboldt. The sills, frame and oak shingles were all hand made. Much of the lumber was of walnut. The material was hauled from a mill twelve miles south of Fort Dodge. The trips were forty five miles each way. The edifice has been enlarged but was the home of the deceased until his death. Neighbors were few and far between in this new land, but nothing daunted these brave spirits. Cold weather with the chilling blizzards brought many bad people seeking shelter.
Mr. Coffin as his home was on the trail or stage route entertained people for days, or until the fury of the storm had abated and it was safe for the people to protect their way. Among the incidents that occurred in that early day is that of the Indian massacre at New Ulm, Minn., in 1862. When all were fleeing from the Indians a party of about thirty settlers passed through this settlement and infected many with their fears. Many left their homes and fled for a place of safety. In fact, the only person whose whole family remained in their home was that of Alexander Coffin.
When the call for the Union came he responded, leaving his family and farm in the care of an uncle. He was in the service eight months, and participated in the battles of Nashville and Kingston, and was mustered in at Davenport, and out at the same place. In the Blue Arrow Division, Company G, of the 16th Iowa, he was with Sherman in his march to the sea.
He planted the first corn in Wacousta township in 1858. The first wheat in 1859. He had the first orchard. The first boy born in the township was Alexander Coffin's son Allan A. Coffin, born in 1860. In 1863 the first post office was established in Wacousta township and Alex Coffin was commissioned postmaster until 1883, when the office was discontinued. In politics he was a republican and held different offices at various times — Justice of the Peace, Clerk Treasurer, County Supervisor and Coroner. In faith he was a Baptist from his youth. He was a charter member of the Baptist church at Bradgate which was organized in 1882. He held the office of deacon and trustee for many years.
With the passing of Mr. Coffin goes one of the last of the old land marks of Humboldt county. He leaves a wife, three children: Allan of Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Ruth C. Merchant, and Albert B., both of Bradgate. He leaves a sister, Mrs Caroline Billings, of West Bend Iowa. There are six grandchildren and four great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends.
Alexander was the son of Elisha Brown Coffin and Ruth Kenyon. He married Mary Allen on Dec 9, 1857 in Cambridge, NY. They were the parents of Allen, Ruth, Albert, and Adelbert.
September 3, 1920 - Humboldt Republican - Alexander Norton Coffin was born in Easton, Washington county, N.Y., March 30, 1834, and at the time of his death was 86 years, 4 months, and 24 days of age.
He was left an orphan at the age of five years, and was reared by an uncle, Isaac Coffin. He was educated in the public schools near his home. He was a school mate of Ex-President Chester A. Arthur, whose sister was his teacher, and whose father was his pastor.
He married Mary C. Allen of Cambridge, New York, Dec. 9, 1857. The following spring he with his wife, sister Caroline, brother Edward and a cousin and uncle left New York to come west. They came as far as Dyersville, Iowa, by train, where they left Mrs. Coffin and her sister and started on foot to Fort Dodge. From there they came north to McKnight's Point in Wacousta township this county, after days of travel looking over the country. Often hungry, always tired, they found the hospitable cabin of an early settler.
In those days every cabin kept open house to every stranger. They were shown the beauties and advantages of the location, and decided to remain. In June they went to Dyersville and brought wife and sister to their new home. Many were the hardships encountered in travel. Sloughs and mud where teams would be mired, then wagons were unloaded of goods and the occupants carried out to a place of safety and the mud gone through. Arriving at their destination they proceeded to get a home started.
A.N. Coffin took the N.E. of Sec. 32, and Griffin took the N.W. 1/4 of the same section. Thomas Griffin took the S.E. 1/4. They took as their dividing line the "Trail from Fort Dodge to Emmetsburg." Then all proceeded to break the virgin soil, but on having found that all had plowed on the northeast quarter, and considering the southeast too wet for cultivation, the northwest quarter owned by A.N. Coffin was abandoned, and because of sickness, Alex Coffin was left victor of the situation.
He built a frame house in Wacousta township in 1858, and it was the only frame house between Emmetsburg and Humboldt. The sills, frame and oak shingles were all hand made. Much of the lumber was of walnut. The material was hauled from a mill twelve miles south of Fort Dodge. The trips were forty five miles each way. The edifice has been enlarged but was the home of the deceased until his death. Neighbors were few and far between in this new land, but nothing daunted these brave spirits. Cold weather with the chilling blizzards brought many bad people seeking shelter.
Mr. Coffin as his home was on the trail or stage route entertained people for days, or until the fury of the storm had abated and it was safe for the people to protect their way. Among the incidents that occurred in that early day is that of the Indian massacre at New Ulm, Minn., in 1862. When all were fleeing from the Indians a party of about thirty settlers passed through this settlement and infected many with their fears. Many left their homes and fled for a place of safety. In fact, the only person whose whole family remained in their home was that of Alexander Coffin.
When the call for the Union came he responded, leaving his family and farm in the care of an uncle. He was in the service eight months, and participated in the battles of Nashville and Kingston, and was mustered in at Davenport, and out at the same place. In the Blue Arrow Division, Company G, of the 16th Iowa, he was with Sherman in his march to the sea.
He planted the first corn in Wacousta township in 1858. The first wheat in 1859. He had the first orchard. The first boy born in the township was Alexander Coffin's son Allan A. Coffin, born in 1860. In 1863 the first post office was established in Wacousta township and Alex Coffin was commissioned postmaster until 1883, when the office was discontinued. In politics he was a republican and held different offices at various times — Justice of the Peace, Clerk Treasurer, County Supervisor and Coroner. In faith he was a Baptist from his youth. He was a charter member of the Baptist church at Bradgate which was organized in 1882. He held the office of deacon and trustee for many years.
With the passing of Mr. Coffin goes one of the last of the old land marks of Humboldt county. He leaves a wife, three children: Allan of Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Ruth C. Merchant, and Albert B., both of Bradgate. He leaves a sister, Mrs Caroline Billings, of West Bend Iowa. There are six grandchildren and four great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends.
Veteran Civil War - Company G, 16th Iowa
Alexander was the son of Elisha Brown Coffin and Ruth Kenyon. He married Mary Allen on Dec 9, 1857 in Cambridge, NY. They were the parents of Allen, Ruth, Albert, and Adelbert.
September 3, 1920 - Humboldt Republican - Alexander Norton Coffin was born in Easton, Washington county, N.Y., March 30, 1834, and at the time of his death was 86 years, 4 months, and 24 days of age.
He was left an orphan at the age of five years, and was reared by an uncle, Isaac Coffin. He was educated in the public schools near his home. He was a school mate of Ex-President Chester A. Arthur, whose sister was his teacher, and whose father was his pastor.
He married Mary C. Allen of Cambridge, New York, Dec. 9, 1857. The following spring he with his wife, sister Caroline, brother Edward and a cousin and uncle left New York to come west. They came as far as Dyersville, Iowa, by train, where they left Mrs. Coffin and her sister and started on foot to Fort Dodge. From there they came north to McKnight's Point in Wacousta township this county, after days of travel looking over the country. Often hungry, always tired, they found the hospitable cabin of an early settler.
In those days every cabin kept open house to every stranger. They were shown the beauties and advantages of the location, and decided to remain. In June they went to Dyersville and brought wife and sister to their new home. Many were the hardships encountered in travel. Sloughs and mud where teams would be mired, then wagons were unloaded of goods and the occupants carried out to a place of safety and the mud gone through. Arriving at their destination they proceeded to get a home started.
A.N. Coffin took the N.E. of Sec. 32, and Griffin took the N.W. 1/4 of the same section. Thomas Griffin took the S.E. 1/4. They took as their dividing line the "Trail from Fort Dodge to Emmetsburg." Then all proceeded to break the virgin soil, but on having found that all had plowed on the northeast quarter, and considering the southeast too wet for cultivation, the northwest quarter owned by A.N. Coffin was abandoned, and because of sickness, Alex Coffin was left victor of the situation.
He built a frame house in Wacousta township in 1858, and it was the only frame house between Emmetsburg and Humboldt. The sills, frame and oak shingles were all hand made. Much of the lumber was of walnut. The material was hauled from a mill twelve miles south of Fort Dodge. The trips were forty five miles each way. The edifice has been enlarged but was the home of the deceased until his death. Neighbors were few and far between in this new land, but nothing daunted these brave spirits. Cold weather with the chilling blizzards brought many bad people seeking shelter.
Mr. Coffin as his home was on the trail or stage route entertained people for days, or until the fury of the storm had abated and it was safe for the people to protect their way. Among the incidents that occurred in that early day is that of the Indian massacre at New Ulm, Minn., in 1862. When all were fleeing from the Indians a party of about thirty settlers passed through this settlement and infected many with their fears. Many left their homes and fled for a place of safety. In fact, the only person whose whole family remained in their home was that of Alexander Coffin.
When the call for the Union came he responded, leaving his family and farm in the care of an uncle. He was in the service eight months, and participated in the battles of Nashville and Kingston, and was mustered in at Davenport, and out at the same place. In the Blue Arrow Division, Company G, of the 16th Iowa, he was with Sherman in his march to the sea.
He planted the first corn in Wacousta township in 1858. The first wheat in 1859. He had the first orchard. The first boy born in the township was Alexander Coffin's son Allan A. Coffin, born in 1860. In 1863 the first post office was established in Wacousta township and Alex Coffin was commissioned postmaster until 1883, when the office was discontinued. In politics he was a republican and held different offices at various times — Justice of the Peace, Clerk Treasurer, County Supervisor and Coroner. In faith he was a Baptist from his youth. He was a charter member of the Baptist church at Bradgate which was organized in 1882. He held the office of deacon and trustee for many years.
With the passing of Mr. Coffin goes one of the last of the old land marks of Humboldt county. He leaves a wife, three children: Allan of Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Ruth C. Merchant, and Albert B., both of Bradgate. He leaves a sister, Mrs Caroline Billings, of West Bend Iowa. There are six grandchildren and four great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends.
Alexander was the son of Elisha Brown Coffin and Ruth Kenyon. He married Mary Allen on Dec 9, 1857 in Cambridge, NY. They were the parents of Allen, Ruth, Albert, and Adelbert.
September 3, 1920 - Humboldt Republican - Alexander Norton Coffin was born in Easton, Washington county, N.Y., March 30, 1834, and at the time of his death was 86 years, 4 months, and 24 days of age.
He was left an orphan at the age of five years, and was reared by an uncle, Isaac Coffin. He was educated in the public schools near his home. He was a school mate of Ex-President Chester A. Arthur, whose sister was his teacher, and whose father was his pastor.
He married Mary C. Allen of Cambridge, New York, Dec. 9, 1857. The following spring he with his wife, sister Caroline, brother Edward and a cousin and uncle left New York to come west. They came as far as Dyersville, Iowa, by train, where they left Mrs. Coffin and her sister and started on foot to Fort Dodge. From there they came north to McKnight's Point in Wacousta township this county, after days of travel looking over the country. Often hungry, always tired, they found the hospitable cabin of an early settler.
In those days every cabin kept open house to every stranger. They were shown the beauties and advantages of the location, and decided to remain. In June they went to Dyersville and brought wife and sister to their new home. Many were the hardships encountered in travel. Sloughs and mud where teams would be mired, then wagons were unloaded of goods and the occupants carried out to a place of safety and the mud gone through. Arriving at their destination they proceeded to get a home started.
A.N. Coffin took the N.E. of Sec. 32, and Griffin took the N.W. 1/4 of the same section. Thomas Griffin took the S.E. 1/4. They took as their dividing line the "Trail from Fort Dodge to Emmetsburg." Then all proceeded to break the virgin soil, but on having found that all had plowed on the northeast quarter, and considering the southeast too wet for cultivation, the northwest quarter owned by A.N. Coffin was abandoned, and because of sickness, Alex Coffin was left victor of the situation.
He built a frame house in Wacousta township in 1858, and it was the only frame house between Emmetsburg and Humboldt. The sills, frame and oak shingles were all hand made. Much of the lumber was of walnut. The material was hauled from a mill twelve miles south of Fort Dodge. The trips were forty five miles each way. The edifice has been enlarged but was the home of the deceased until his death. Neighbors were few and far between in this new land, but nothing daunted these brave spirits. Cold weather with the chilling blizzards brought many bad people seeking shelter.
Mr. Coffin as his home was on the trail or stage route entertained people for days, or until the fury of the storm had abated and it was safe for the people to protect their way. Among the incidents that occurred in that early day is that of the Indian massacre at New Ulm, Minn., in 1862. When all were fleeing from the Indians a party of about thirty settlers passed through this settlement and infected many with their fears. Many left their homes and fled for a place of safety. In fact, the only person whose whole family remained in their home was that of Alexander Coffin.
When the call for the Union came he responded, leaving his family and farm in the care of an uncle. He was in the service eight months, and participated in the battles of Nashville and Kingston, and was mustered in at Davenport, and out at the same place. In the Blue Arrow Division, Company G, of the 16th Iowa, he was with Sherman in his march to the sea.
He planted the first corn in Wacousta township in 1858. The first wheat in 1859. He had the first orchard. The first boy born in the township was Alexander Coffin's son Allan A. Coffin, born in 1860. In 1863 the first post office was established in Wacousta township and Alex Coffin was commissioned postmaster until 1883, when the office was discontinued. In politics he was a republican and held different offices at various times — Justice of the Peace, Clerk Treasurer, County Supervisor and Coroner. In faith he was a Baptist from his youth. He was a charter member of the Baptist church at Bradgate which was organized in 1882. He held the office of deacon and trustee for many years.
With the passing of Mr. Coffin goes one of the last of the old land marks of Humboldt county. He leaves a wife, three children: Allan of Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Ruth C. Merchant, and Albert B., both of Bradgate. He leaves a sister, Mrs Caroline Billings, of West Bend Iowa. There are six grandchildren and four great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends.
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