COATS, Serena Delia White - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

There was universal regret and sorrow Monday evening, when it was announced in this city, that the spirit of Aunt Serena D. Coats, had taken its flight in the home beyond, at 6 o'clock that evening, and while she had lived a long and useful life, far beyond the allotted three score and ten she had been in good health and spirits and was so beloved that none could think that deaths shadows should ever cross her pathway. Only last week she attended a birthday dinner given by her daughter-in-law Mrs. Elizabeth Coats, coming from the old homestead, in a cab and there was none in the gathering as light hearted as happy for age as vigorous as was she. On last Friday evening caused presumeably by undue excitement she suffered a stroke of paralysis and while a younger person it would not have seemed alarming, there was grave feares with one of her age. She rallied some and then began slowly sinking until death stilled the lips of the oldest and most beloved pioneer mother of Western Indiana. Mrs. Coats was born July 13, 1809, in Anderson county Tenn., and was ninty-seven years, five months and four days old. She was the daughter of Capt. William White, a pioneer settler of this county, who died at her home and in the same room, where she died Mar. 23, 1873. He also lived to a great age being 96 years, 11 months and 25 days old. She was married in 1829 to Judge Joseph Coats, who in pioneer days was one of the most prominent citizens in this part of the state. Besides serving as Probate Judge of the courts of this county for many years, he was state senator from 1844 to 1848, and in 1850 he was a delegate to the constitutional convention. His death occured Nov. 9, 1877. To this union was born one son, William B. Coats, whose history as one of VanBuren township=s best citizens during his life is too well known for comment, and whose children and grand-children are now honored respected and prosperous citizens of this county. It was grandma Coat's good fortune to live to see the fruits of her early teachings in the noble life of her son her grand and great-grand children. Truly but few are favored with such blessings and none ever appreciated their pure characters more than she. Mrs. Coats came to this county with her parents in 1822 and remained a citizen, in fact of this VanBuren township the remainder of her life. Her father located on Coal creek at what is know as VanDorns Mills, where he erected the first mill in the county. It was a long wide structure and he dressed the stones that were used in grinding the corn. It was in that day the most popular place in the county. The captain was a bright and entertaining man he fought in several wars, was a great traveler, a man of great force and character, firm and determined, generous and kind hearted, always ready to assist the needy, and anxious for the wellfare of his fellow beings, and no child ever inherited more of fathers traites, than did Aunt Serena Coats, and her good husband was alike to her. He manifested a hearty interest in behalf of intellectual culture, in fact was one of the best educated men of his generation. The poor and unfortunate touched the sympathic chords of his great heart. He was broad and liberal, his religion was to do good, and with such characteristics in both husband an wife their home was a blessed one, and their children can be thankful for the good name and record that has been handed down to them. There was no place in Fountain county, where true hospitality had better ring, than at the home of Aunt Serena Coats. Welcome was over the threshold to all who tried to do and live right. Her home was one of the finest specimens of architecture of the age that is passing away. The building was constructed of brick and stone, stood back of the roadway on a shaded incline of fir and pine trees. The road past it was part of the original state highway which extends from Wheeling, W. Va., to Kansas City and was made in the time of President VanBuren. It was in this home that many of the happy days of this noble woman were spent and it was, as her desire in this home that she closed her eyes to all that was worldly to awaken in a home eternal. It would take pages to relate the noble deeds of Aunt Serena Coats= life history, and then we doubt if the half would be told, and we can only say in conclusion that there no one in the community but what bowed their heads in sorrow when they realized that life=s book, so pure, so sweet, so noble had been closed. The funeral was held a 10 o'clock Wednesday morning from the home. Exercises were held by Rev. Plunkett, after which the remains were taken to the Coats family section, in Rockfield cemetery and laid to rest beside her loved ones, who had preceeded her.

Source: White, Albert Franklin. Biographical sketches of Rev. James Blach, William White and their desc. Indianapolis: WB Burford, 1890, 180 pages p 153

The 5th child of William White was called Serena Delia and was born July 13, 1809. She married Joseph Coats on Coal Creek.