COFFMAN, Eliza Brown - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

After a sickness of about 13 weeks caused from advanced age and an attack of heart trouble, last evening occurred the death of Mrs. Eliza Coffman at 6:30 at her home, 705 Bashaw Street at the advanced age of 80 years, Though Mrs. Coffman has been sick for a considerable time her death comes with a great shock to the relatives and friends. A short service was held at 2 o’clock this afternoon from the residence conducted by Rev. RL Patterson, pastor of the Willard Street Methodist Episcopal Church and Rev. SJ Geddes. The remains were taken to Vernon this afternoon on the 3:20 Rock Island train where funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon and the interment made in the Vernon cemetery. Eliza Brown was born in Shelby County Ohio Oct 8, 1821. Her early girlhood was spent in that county and at about age 12 she went with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown to Fountain County, Indiana. At the age of 16 years she was married on May 31, 1839 to WH Coffman. Soon after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coffman emigrated to Iowa then in the early days of its history and settled in Washington County in the year 1840.  During the years since that time Mrs. Coffman has lived continuously in this state and for some time had made her home in this city where she has many friends who most deeply sympathize with the bereaved friends.  11 children came to cheer this home, four of whom are still surviving, the husband having died on Oct 22, 1873.  Besides the four children there still survives James Brown of Marengo, a brother. The children of the deceased are: DS Coffman; Lutetia H. Erwin and RE Coffman all of this city and Mrs. Laura Jones of Wichita, Kan.  Mrs. Coffman had made a great many friends in this city and as one of the pioneers and as a woman and friend, was most highly respected and esteemed. – kbz