COFFEY FAMILY
COFFEY FAMILY HISTORY
Family history by Mrs. John Shipp
Quoting from the very interesting Coffey family history loaned to us by Hallie (Coffey) Biggs: “The founder of the family was Eroa, son of Olliol Moet, King of Ireland, A. D. 463.”
This part of the history will begin with Salathiel Coffey, born in 1812, died in 1892. He came with his family in 1855 by wagon from Kentucky and settled in Collin County. His first wife was Nancy Dunbar. After her death he married Mary Ann Ballew.
Salathiel Coffey was the father of 10 children, one of whom was William S. Coffey, born in 1842. He married Sarah Elizabeth Lucas in 1866 and served as Sheriff of Collin County in 1897-98.
William S. Coffey and Sarah (Lucas) Coffey were the parents of 10 children, two of whom were prominent in the life of the Lucas community. They were Dr. John C. Coffey, who married Gabriella Coffey, and Robert H. Coffey, who married Minnie Mable Biddy.
Dr. Coffey was an early day MD in Lucas and Robert H. Coffey was a landowner and operated a store here as a young man and, as the record shows, was postmaster of Lucas about five year. After his marriage he continued to run the store for a time. Then in 1927 he was again a Lucas merchant, but sold to his son-in-law, Roy Biggs, who with his wife, Hallie (Coffey) Biggs, continued the business until it was sold to the present owner, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Strain, in 1954.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Biggs now of Plano, have two daughters: Elizabeth Hendrick of Plano and Billie Gene Wilson. Both girls were born and grew to young womanhood in Lucas. They attended the Lucas School, graduating from McKinney High School. Billie Gene (or Jean) married Glenn Wilson of Plano. They have one son and live in Garland. Elizabeth married Wayne Hendrick, who attended Lovejoy School, graduating from McKinney High School. Both he and Elizabeth are graduates of North Texas State University and he is now Dr. Wayne Hendrick, Superintendent of Schools, Plano. They have one son and live in Plano.
Other children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Coffey were: Clarence, Tressie Alma and Edgar B. Coffey. Clarence (deceased) married Ola Leake. They were the parents of two daughters - Marcella and Cristine. Both attended Lucas School and Marcella graduated from McKiney High School while Cristine finished at Plano.
Marcella married Ray (Chick) Goforth of Lucas. To this union were born two sons - Vernon, who lived in Arington and Jerry, living in Ohio.
Cristine married Willard Pharr of Lucas. They are the parents of two daughters - Bobby Joyce and Linda and a son, Carey, none of whom live in Lucas. Both the Goforths and the Willard Pharrs live in Plano.
Tressy Alma Coffey married Virgil Osborne (deceased). They are the parents of two sons, neither of which ever lived in Lucas. Mrs. Osborne lives in McKinney.
Edgar B. Coffey (deceased) grew to manhood in Lucas. He married Lucille Christian Riffe of McKinney. No children. Mrs. Coffey lived in McKinney.
COFFEY FAMILY HISTORY
Family history by Mrs. Bill Dungan
The Coffey family came from an ancient Irish family which is said to be descended from Milesius, King of Spain. The first emigrant by the name of Coffey came to this country from Ireland about1637 and lived in Surry Co., Va. One of John Coffey’s descendants became a Baptist missionary and moved to Wilkes Co., N. C. Some of the family later moved to Kentucky.
One of the descendants of this family was Salathiel Coffey who married Nancy Dunbar. To them were born seven children. When Salathiel’s first wife died, he married a widow, Mary Ann Ballew, who had six children. The following year which was 1855 the family came to Texas and settled in Collin County where three other children were born to them, Margaret, Josie, and Sterling Coffey. From the ten Coffey children were descended over 1100 direct descendants, many of whom were prominent in affairs of church, business and political life in Collin County and the State of Texas.
One son, Will Coffey, a confederate veteran served as Sheriff, as did a grandson, Will Kerby. One grandson, Homer Coffey, served as county commissioner, as did 2 other grandsons, Frank Kerby and Lee Cook. One great grandson, Orlia J. Moss served as county tax assessor-collector. Another great grandson, William T. Dungan, served Collin County as State Representative for several years.
Many of his descendants were prominent in other fields of business, as one son, Sterling Coffey, banker and business man, and his son Fred Coffey, long time in business in McKinney. Others were grandson Joe McKinney and brother Giles McKinney, business men and bankers and another brother John McKinney who served as Police Chief of McKinney for many years. Their father was Rev. John McKinney who married Salathiel Coffey’s daughter, Polly Ann. Another great grandson, Clarence Kerby, was divisional manager of J. C. Penney Co. until his retirement.
Another great grandson, Dr. Walter McKinney, was a well known business man and philanthropist in Philadelphia.
The children of Salathiel Coffey were:
Letitia married Thos J. Reagan and Mat Wason (2nd marriage)
Polly Ann married John Meyers McKinney
William Stanton married Sarah Elizabeth Lucas
Harriet married R. B. Whisenant
Milton W. married Amanda Virginia Lewis
Zachary Taylor married Mary Snider
Nancy Jane married Joe Liggett
Margaret married John Kerby
Josie C. married Geo. D. Kerby
Sterling married Ida E. Rountree
Family history by Mrs. John Shipp
Quoting from the very interesting Coffey family history loaned to us by Hallie (Coffey) Biggs: “The founder of the family was Eroa, son of Olliol Moet, King of Ireland, A. D. 463.”
This part of the history will begin with Salathiel Coffey, born in 1812, died in 1892. He came with his family in 1855 by wagon from Kentucky and settled in Collin County. His first wife was Nancy Dunbar. After her death he married Mary Ann Ballew.
Salathiel Coffey was the father of 10 children, one of whom was William S. Coffey, born in 1842. He married Sarah Elizabeth Lucas in 1866 and served as Sheriff of Collin County in 1897-98.
William S. Coffey and Sarah (Lucas) Coffey were the parents of 10 children, two of whom were prominent in the life of the Lucas community. They were Dr. John C. Coffey, who married Gabriella Coffey, and Robert H. Coffey, who married Minnie Mable Biddy.
Dr. Coffey was an early day MD in Lucas and Robert H. Coffey was a landowner and operated a store here as a young man and, as the record shows, was postmaster of Lucas about five year. After his marriage he continued to run the store for a time. Then in 1927 he was again a Lucas merchant, but sold to his son-in-law, Roy Biggs, who with his wife, Hallie (Coffey) Biggs, continued the business until it was sold to the present owner, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Strain, in 1954.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Biggs now of Plano, have two daughters: Elizabeth Hendrick of Plano and Billie Gene Wilson. Both girls were born and grew to young womanhood in Lucas. They attended the Lucas School, graduating from McKinney High School. Billie Gene (or Jean) married Glenn Wilson of Plano. They have one son and live in Garland. Elizabeth married Wayne Hendrick, who attended Lovejoy School, graduating from McKinney High School. Both he and Elizabeth are graduates of North Texas State University and he is now Dr. Wayne Hendrick, Superintendent of Schools, Plano. They have one son and live in Plano.
Other children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Coffey were: Clarence, Tressie Alma and Edgar B. Coffey. Clarence (deceased) married Ola Leake. They were the parents of two daughters - Marcella and Cristine. Both attended Lucas School and Marcella graduated from McKiney High School while Cristine finished at Plano.
Marcella married Ray (Chick) Goforth of Lucas. To this union were born two sons - Vernon, who lived in Arington and Jerry, living in Ohio.
Cristine married Willard Pharr of Lucas. They are the parents of two daughters - Bobby Joyce and Linda and a son, Carey, none of whom live in Lucas. Both the Goforths and the Willard Pharrs live in Plano.
Tressy Alma Coffey married Virgil Osborne (deceased). They are the parents of two sons, neither of which ever lived in Lucas. Mrs. Osborne lives in McKinney.
Edgar B. Coffey (deceased) grew to manhood in Lucas. He married Lucille Christian Riffe of McKinney. No children. Mrs. Coffey lived in McKinney.
COFFEY FAMILY HISTORY
Family history by Mrs. Bill Dungan
The Coffey family came from an ancient Irish family which is said to be descended from Milesius, King of Spain. The first emigrant by the name of Coffey came to this country from Ireland about1637 and lived in Surry Co., Va. One of John Coffey’s descendants became a Baptist missionary and moved to Wilkes Co., N. C. Some of the family later moved to Kentucky.
One of the descendants of this family was Salathiel Coffey who married Nancy Dunbar. To them were born seven children. When Salathiel’s first wife died, he married a widow, Mary Ann Ballew, who had six children. The following year which was 1855 the family came to Texas and settled in Collin County where three other children were born to them, Margaret, Josie, and Sterling Coffey. From the ten Coffey children were descended over 1100 direct descendants, many of whom were prominent in affairs of church, business and political life in Collin County and the State of Texas.
One son, Will Coffey, a confederate veteran served as Sheriff, as did a grandson, Will Kerby. One grandson, Homer Coffey, served as county commissioner, as did 2 other grandsons, Frank Kerby and Lee Cook. One great grandson, Orlia J. Moss served as county tax assessor-collector. Another great grandson, William T. Dungan, served Collin County as State Representative for several years.
Many of his descendants were prominent in other fields of business, as one son, Sterling Coffey, banker and business man, and his son Fred Coffey, long time in business in McKinney. Others were grandson Joe McKinney and brother Giles McKinney, business men and bankers and another brother John McKinney who served as Police Chief of McKinney for many years. Their father was Rev. John McKinney who married Salathiel Coffey’s daughter, Polly Ann. Another great grandson, Clarence Kerby, was divisional manager of J. C. Penney Co. until his retirement.
Another great grandson, Dr. Walter McKinney, was a well known business man and philanthropist in Philadelphia.
The children of Salathiel Coffey were:
Letitia married Thos J. Reagan and Mat Wason (2nd marriage)
Polly Ann married John Meyers McKinney
William Stanton married Sarah Elizabeth Lucas
Harriet married R. B. Whisenant
Milton W. married Amanda Virginia Lewis
Zachary Taylor married Mary Snider
Nancy Jane married Joe Liggett
Margaret married John Kerby
Josie C. married Geo. D. Kerby
Sterling married Ida E. Rountree
TENTH ANNUAL COFFEY FAMILY REUNION HELD IN M’KINNEY JULY 25
McKinney Courier Gazette, July 29, 1937
(Daily Courier-Gazette)
Delightful Day Spent in Feasting and social Intermingling of Relatives Who Gathered From Widely Scattered Homes—Former county Commissioner Homer L. Coffey Retiring President and Earl Walker His Successor For Ensuing Year.
An enjoyable reuniting of the many branches of the long established Coffey family of Collin County was held at Finch Park Sunday when more than 150 members with several friends, gathered for the tenth annual reunion.
Descendants of Salathial Coffey and wife, who founded this brand of the Coffey family in this county, more than eighty-two years ago, were present from Texas and Oklahoma for the occasion.
At noon, a bounteous table luncheon, consisting of quantities of excellent food was spread under the beautiful pecan trees of Finch Park and all those who could be present gathered once more to break bread together.
Members of the family ranging from S. P. Coffey of McKinney, son of Salathial Coffey, down to little four-months old Robert Frank Barry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Barry and great-great-grandson of Salathial Coffey were present.
Following the luncheon those present arranged themselves in a family semi-circle for a short, informal yet interesting program presided over by Homer L. Coffey of McKinney, Chairman of the Reunion group this year.
Miss Leona Richards of Allen, Secretary, read the minutes.
Short talks were made by many of those present and officers for next year elected. Earl Walker, young McKinney business man, was elected General Chairman and M. P. Coffey of Ardmore, Okla., Out-of-Town Chairman for members residing outside McKinney and Collin County. Mrs. Frank Orr was elected Secretary for next year.
An Executive Committee composed of F. S. (Tine) Kerby of Farmersville and Mrs. J. Woot Mallow of McKinney was elected and a Program Committee of Miss Hallie Coffey, Mrs. Walker Holland, and Mrs. Earl Walker all of McKinney elected to arrange the program for next year’s meeting.
Gabe Kerby of McKinney dismissed the group with prayer. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. A. H. Snider.
The Secretary was instructed to write a letter to Mrs. Nancy Jane Liggett of Vashti, one of the two surviving children of Salathial Coffey, who was unable to attend because of illness.
The gathering was one of the most enjoyable family reunions ever held in this county and because of the widespread careers of the various members of the family, it was most enjoyable from a social standpoint, for many of the members had not been able to greet each other since the 1936 gathering or longer.
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Coffey Family Reunion Notes.
Among the names associated with the descendants of Salathial Coffey is that of Dungan, which has long been a respected family group of McKinney. Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Dungan, who reside on Route 3, McKinney, in the New Hope community are the parents of several fine sons, who have earned themselves excellent reputations and are well established young men. Mrs. Dungan was a daughter of Taylor Coffey, a son of Salathial Coffey. There are five sons and one daughter including: E. H. Dungan of McKinney, connected with the Leonard’s Department Store: A. L. Dungan, who is associated with the J. P. Dowell big hardware establishment, where he has been for twelve years: Willie T. Dungan, Allis-Chalmers Farm machinery representative for the McKinney District: Clarence Dungan of the Ne Hope community; Mrs. Mary Ruth Atterbury, wife of Prof. J. W. Atterbury of McKinney, and Joe at home. Most of the W. A. Dungan family were present for the reunion.
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P. A. (Pat) Kerby, an official in the State Department of Health, at Austin, a brother of Gabe Kerby of McKinney and a grandson of Salathial Coffey was present for the occasion. Pat is an excellent speaker and made a short address concerning the Coffey family and its mutual bond of relations that was greatly appreciated. He was accompanied here for the reunion by his wife.
***
Sales Coffey, a grandson of Salathial Coffey, who is a member of the city detectives, at Amarillo, Texas, where he has been for a number of years was present with his family. He is a son of former Sheriff Will Coffey and is a brother of Mrs. S. E. Walker of McKinney; Mrs. W. W. Goode of Plano; Homer L. Coffey of McKinney; R. H. Coffey, of Lucan, and Dr. John Coffey of Benjamin, Texas., He was accompanied here by his wife and son, Billy.
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An interested family member at the reunion was Dr. F. E. Richards of Bonham. He was accompanied here by his wife and son, Forrest Richards. He is a grandson of Salathial Coffey and a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Richards of Allen. He is practicing veterinary at Bonham.
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Among those called on to make talks were Postmaster Water B. Wilson, a member of the family group by adoption and not by blood, nor marriage. He has attended all ten of these annual family affairs. The first one was held in 1928. All have been held in Finch Park except one, about three years ago, which on account of rain, was adjourned to the McKinney City Coliseum where dinner was spread and a program rendered. Mr. Wilson alluded to the fact that it has been eighty-two years since his numerous branch of the Coffey family had been transplanted from Russell County, Kentucky, to Collin County, Texas, by Salathial Coffey and wife. This rugged pioneer couple made the long journey to Texas by wagon and carriage They had a large family of children and became the parents of several others after settling here in Texas, one of them being S. P. Coffey, prominent McKinney business man and banker. He is the only child of Salathial Coffey and wife living in this county at the present time. The only other living child is Mrs. Nancy Jane Liggett of Vashti, Clay County, older than Mr. Coffey and unable to attend this year’s celebration. A letter of regrets has been written to her by the Secretary of the organization by direction of a rising vote of those present. Salathial Coffey was born in1812, and died in 1892, being eighty years old at the time of his death. Besides rearing a large family of children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Coffey also reared six or eight orphans. Their children were all prominent in their respective communities and in turn have reared fine families of children, many of whom have been honored with public office and with other forms of leadership. Mr. Wilson reminded the children and younger generation of the family that they had been bequeathed a high and precious heritage from their forbears and he bespoke the maintenance of their family good name by those coming on of the younger generation.
***
Many expressed regret at the absence of Mrs. S. P. Coffey of this city whose feeble health prevented her attending. She has been one of the most faithful of the group, having been present al all the previous reunions. She is universally loved and esteemed by our entire people, regardless of kinship or other relation.
***
F. S. (Tine) Kerby, wife and daughters of Farmersville attended the Coffey family reunion held in Finch Park, Sunday. Mr. Key is a prominent grocery merchant of Farmersville. For several years he has been one of the councilmen in the city Government there. He is a grandson of Salathial Coffey. His wife is the former Miss Lillie Martin of McKinney, who is a cousin and namesake of Mrs. Lillie Emerson of McKinney, one of our county’s most widely-esteemed and beloved women for her leadership in club, church and benevolent circles. Mrs. Emerson was their guest at the reunion.
***
Buddy Garrett, wife and two pretty little daughters, Patsy Ruth and Myra Jean of Dallas, attended the reunion. The young husband and father is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Garrett of this city. He is a great-grandson of Salathial Coffey and wife.
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Former County Tax Assessor Orlia J. Moss, wife and children, of College Station for the last three or four years, mingled with the many other descendants of Salathial Coffey and wife at the tenth annual Coffey Family Reunion this year. Mr. Moss, who is a grandson of the late Sheriff W. S. Coffey and a great-grandson of the founder of this branch of the Coffey family in Collin County 82 years ago, was the first president of the family group reunion held in Finch Park in 1928. He always contributes materially to the success of these annual reunions of his relatives. He is adapted to such by his natural born leadership and faculty of initiating things and carrying along helpful programs. Of course Mr. Moss and his good wife still claim Collin County as their home, although residing at College Station during the time that he is holding the responsible position with the state in administering the farm program of the New Deal. His work carried him extensively over the state much of his time, but he finds it more convenient to keep his family at the College Station headquarters.
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Kerby Garrett of Chicago, was one of the relatives attending this year’s Coffey family tenth annual reunion in Finch Park, this city. Kerby is a great-grandson of the original Salathial Coffey and wife. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Garrett and a brother of Miss Vira Garrett, bookkeeper of Perkins Bros, big dry goods establishment in this city. Kerby was born and reared in McKinney, is a handsome specimen of stalwart young manhood. For several years he has traveled extensively over the United States representing a big wire fence manufacturing concern. At the present time, he represents his form in twelve states in that capacity with Chicago as headquarters. In coming to McKinney for the reunion, Kerby stopped at Tulsa, Okla. Where he visited friends. From the latter place he was accompanied to McKinney by Miss Faye Clark and Mr. And Mr. H. K. Lloyd, the latter couple residing at 1322 South Denver Street, Tulsa.
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Mrs. John Phillip Barbee and fine little two-and-a-half year old son, John Phillip, Jr. of Marshall Texas, are visiting their parents and grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. J. Woot. Mallow in McKinney where the young mother was born and reared. Mrs. Barbee attended the Coffey Family Reunion Sunday at Finch Park, she being a great-granddaughter of Salathial Coffey and wife, who came from Russell County, Kentucky in 1855, and founded the Coffey family of this section of our county and state. Marcella, as she is best known to her numerous home relatives and friends is a graduate of the McKinney High School and of the Texas State College for Women (C. I. A.) at Denton.
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One of the relatives attending the Coffey family reunion here, Sunday, who came from a distance for the purpose was Mrs. Clarence Kerby and five-months-old baby, Patricia, of St. Louis. Mr. Kerby’s husband, who is a son of former County Commissioner Frank Kerby, has been located with headquarters at St. Louis for some time as district manager of Penney Company store in five or six different states. Mr. Kerby was not able to comedown himself. Mrs. Clarence Kerby is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Malone of Frisco, whom she is also visiting. Her father is in very feeble health.
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Among those present at the reunion and registered were:
S. P. Coffey, McKinney; S. Coffey, Eva Coffey; A. W. Richards, Allen; Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Dungan, Joe D. Dungan, McKinney; Willie Dickens, Fred S. Coffey and wife and twin daughters, Dorthy and Dottie Coffey, McKinney; Bill Coffey, Isaac Coffey, Joyce Crouch; Mr. and Mrs. Orila J. Moss, Nancy, Ermyne Lee and Jack Moss, Bryan, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Garrett and Vira Garrett, McKinney; Kerby Garrett, McKinney; Faye Clark, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Garrett, Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. H. K. Lloyd, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Patsy Ruth and Myra Jean Garrett, Dallas; H. C. Kerby, Dallas; J. C. Smith and wife and Joseph Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Kerby, McKinney; Ada Catherine Coleman, McKinney; Eustance Dungan, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Dungan and family and Rev. A. H. Snider, McKinney; Mr. J. W. Atterbury, Jr., and Allen Arnetta and Jackie Joe, McKinney; Dr. and Mrs. F. E. Richards and son, Forrest, Bonham; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Mallow, McKinney; Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Barbee and Phillip, Jr., Marshall; Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Kerby, Austin; Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Kerby and Jack, McKinney; Mrs. Florence Kerby and Patricia, St. Louis; Gabe Kerby, McKinney; J. R. Bowman, Milt Scott; Mary Lou Durrett, Lancaster; Mary Lois Ballew, James A. Barrett, Hallie Coffey, McKinney; Homer Coffey, McKinney; Mrs. Denia Goode, Plano; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Holland, Walter Dillon and Carolyn Holland, McKinney; Mrs. Homer Coffey, McKinney; Edwin Collins , Wylie; Miss Lucille Parr, Wylie; Mrs. Wood Herndon, Ardmore, Oklahoma; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Walker, Mrs. S. E. Walker, McKinney; Mrs. J. C. Parr, Wylie; Jack M. Parr, Wylie; J. C. Parr, Jr. And wife and Edwin, Houston and Jerry Janet Parr, Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Hedgcoxe, and Mrs. Frank Emerson, McKinney Fred Dickinson, Daily Courier-Gazette and the Weekly Democrat-Gazette, McKinney; Mrs. Roy Biggs, Elizabeth Biggs, Crystene Coffey, Mrs. C. M. Coffey, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Goforth, Mr. and Mrs. F. S. (Tine) Kerby, Mary Ann and Joe Cahterine Kerby, Farmersville; Mr. and Mrs. Gabe Kerby, Margaret Lou Alice Kerby, Martha Kerby, McKinney; M. P. Coffey, Ardmore, Oklahoma, Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Richards, Dallas.
McKinney Courier Gazette, July 29, 1937
(Daily Courier-Gazette)
Delightful Day Spent in Feasting and social Intermingling of Relatives Who Gathered From Widely Scattered Homes—Former county Commissioner Homer L. Coffey Retiring President and Earl Walker His Successor For Ensuing Year.
An enjoyable reuniting of the many branches of the long established Coffey family of Collin County was held at Finch Park Sunday when more than 150 members with several friends, gathered for the tenth annual reunion.
Descendants of Salathial Coffey and wife, who founded this brand of the Coffey family in this county, more than eighty-two years ago, were present from Texas and Oklahoma for the occasion.
At noon, a bounteous table luncheon, consisting of quantities of excellent food was spread under the beautiful pecan trees of Finch Park and all those who could be present gathered once more to break bread together.
Members of the family ranging from S. P. Coffey of McKinney, son of Salathial Coffey, down to little four-months old Robert Frank Barry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Barry and great-great-grandson of Salathial Coffey were present.
Following the luncheon those present arranged themselves in a family semi-circle for a short, informal yet interesting program presided over by Homer L. Coffey of McKinney, Chairman of the Reunion group this year.
Miss Leona Richards of Allen, Secretary, read the minutes.
Short talks were made by many of those present and officers for next year elected. Earl Walker, young McKinney business man, was elected General Chairman and M. P. Coffey of Ardmore, Okla., Out-of-Town Chairman for members residing outside McKinney and Collin County. Mrs. Frank Orr was elected Secretary for next year.
An Executive Committee composed of F. S. (Tine) Kerby of Farmersville and Mrs. J. Woot Mallow of McKinney was elected and a Program Committee of Miss Hallie Coffey, Mrs. Walker Holland, and Mrs. Earl Walker all of McKinney elected to arrange the program for next year’s meeting.
Gabe Kerby of McKinney dismissed the group with prayer. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. A. H. Snider.
The Secretary was instructed to write a letter to Mrs. Nancy Jane Liggett of Vashti, one of the two surviving children of Salathial Coffey, who was unable to attend because of illness.
The gathering was one of the most enjoyable family reunions ever held in this county and because of the widespread careers of the various members of the family, it was most enjoyable from a social standpoint, for many of the members had not been able to greet each other since the 1936 gathering or longer.
***
Coffey Family Reunion Notes.
Among the names associated with the descendants of Salathial Coffey is that of Dungan, which has long been a respected family group of McKinney. Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Dungan, who reside on Route 3, McKinney, in the New Hope community are the parents of several fine sons, who have earned themselves excellent reputations and are well established young men. Mrs. Dungan was a daughter of Taylor Coffey, a son of Salathial Coffey. There are five sons and one daughter including: E. H. Dungan of McKinney, connected with the Leonard’s Department Store: A. L. Dungan, who is associated with the J. P. Dowell big hardware establishment, where he has been for twelve years: Willie T. Dungan, Allis-Chalmers Farm machinery representative for the McKinney District: Clarence Dungan of the Ne Hope community; Mrs. Mary Ruth Atterbury, wife of Prof. J. W. Atterbury of McKinney, and Joe at home. Most of the W. A. Dungan family were present for the reunion.
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P. A. (Pat) Kerby, an official in the State Department of Health, at Austin, a brother of Gabe Kerby of McKinney and a grandson of Salathial Coffey was present for the occasion. Pat is an excellent speaker and made a short address concerning the Coffey family and its mutual bond of relations that was greatly appreciated. He was accompanied here for the reunion by his wife.
***
Sales Coffey, a grandson of Salathial Coffey, who is a member of the city detectives, at Amarillo, Texas, where he has been for a number of years was present with his family. He is a son of former Sheriff Will Coffey and is a brother of Mrs. S. E. Walker of McKinney; Mrs. W. W. Goode of Plano; Homer L. Coffey of McKinney; R. H. Coffey, of Lucan, and Dr. John Coffey of Benjamin, Texas., He was accompanied here by his wife and son, Billy.
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An interested family member at the reunion was Dr. F. E. Richards of Bonham. He was accompanied here by his wife and son, Forrest Richards. He is a grandson of Salathial Coffey and a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Richards of Allen. He is practicing veterinary at Bonham.
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Among those called on to make talks were Postmaster Water B. Wilson, a member of the family group by adoption and not by blood, nor marriage. He has attended all ten of these annual family affairs. The first one was held in 1928. All have been held in Finch Park except one, about three years ago, which on account of rain, was adjourned to the McKinney City Coliseum where dinner was spread and a program rendered. Mr. Wilson alluded to the fact that it has been eighty-two years since his numerous branch of the Coffey family had been transplanted from Russell County, Kentucky, to Collin County, Texas, by Salathial Coffey and wife. This rugged pioneer couple made the long journey to Texas by wagon and carriage They had a large family of children and became the parents of several others after settling here in Texas, one of them being S. P. Coffey, prominent McKinney business man and banker. He is the only child of Salathial Coffey and wife living in this county at the present time. The only other living child is Mrs. Nancy Jane Liggett of Vashti, Clay County, older than Mr. Coffey and unable to attend this year’s celebration. A letter of regrets has been written to her by the Secretary of the organization by direction of a rising vote of those present. Salathial Coffey was born in1812, and died in 1892, being eighty years old at the time of his death. Besides rearing a large family of children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Coffey also reared six or eight orphans. Their children were all prominent in their respective communities and in turn have reared fine families of children, many of whom have been honored with public office and with other forms of leadership. Mr. Wilson reminded the children and younger generation of the family that they had been bequeathed a high and precious heritage from their forbears and he bespoke the maintenance of their family good name by those coming on of the younger generation.
***
Many expressed regret at the absence of Mrs. S. P. Coffey of this city whose feeble health prevented her attending. She has been one of the most faithful of the group, having been present al all the previous reunions. She is universally loved and esteemed by our entire people, regardless of kinship or other relation.
***
F. S. (Tine) Kerby, wife and daughters of Farmersville attended the Coffey family reunion held in Finch Park, Sunday. Mr. Key is a prominent grocery merchant of Farmersville. For several years he has been one of the councilmen in the city Government there. He is a grandson of Salathial Coffey. His wife is the former Miss Lillie Martin of McKinney, who is a cousin and namesake of Mrs. Lillie Emerson of McKinney, one of our county’s most widely-esteemed and beloved women for her leadership in club, church and benevolent circles. Mrs. Emerson was their guest at the reunion.
***
Buddy Garrett, wife and two pretty little daughters, Patsy Ruth and Myra Jean of Dallas, attended the reunion. The young husband and father is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Garrett of this city. He is a great-grandson of Salathial Coffey and wife.
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Former County Tax Assessor Orlia J. Moss, wife and children, of College Station for the last three or four years, mingled with the many other descendants of Salathial Coffey and wife at the tenth annual Coffey Family Reunion this year. Mr. Moss, who is a grandson of the late Sheriff W. S. Coffey and a great-grandson of the founder of this branch of the Coffey family in Collin County 82 years ago, was the first president of the family group reunion held in Finch Park in 1928. He always contributes materially to the success of these annual reunions of his relatives. He is adapted to such by his natural born leadership and faculty of initiating things and carrying along helpful programs. Of course Mr. Moss and his good wife still claim Collin County as their home, although residing at College Station during the time that he is holding the responsible position with the state in administering the farm program of the New Deal. His work carried him extensively over the state much of his time, but he finds it more convenient to keep his family at the College Station headquarters.
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Kerby Garrett of Chicago, was one of the relatives attending this year’s Coffey family tenth annual reunion in Finch Park, this city. Kerby is a great-grandson of the original Salathial Coffey and wife. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Garrett and a brother of Miss Vira Garrett, bookkeeper of Perkins Bros, big dry goods establishment in this city. Kerby was born and reared in McKinney, is a handsome specimen of stalwart young manhood. For several years he has traveled extensively over the United States representing a big wire fence manufacturing concern. At the present time, he represents his form in twelve states in that capacity with Chicago as headquarters. In coming to McKinney for the reunion, Kerby stopped at Tulsa, Okla. Where he visited friends. From the latter place he was accompanied to McKinney by Miss Faye Clark and Mr. And Mr. H. K. Lloyd, the latter couple residing at 1322 South Denver Street, Tulsa.
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Mrs. John Phillip Barbee and fine little two-and-a-half year old son, John Phillip, Jr. of Marshall Texas, are visiting their parents and grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. J. Woot. Mallow in McKinney where the young mother was born and reared. Mrs. Barbee attended the Coffey Family Reunion Sunday at Finch Park, she being a great-granddaughter of Salathial Coffey and wife, who came from Russell County, Kentucky in 1855, and founded the Coffey family of this section of our county and state. Marcella, as she is best known to her numerous home relatives and friends is a graduate of the McKinney High School and of the Texas State College for Women (C. I. A.) at Denton.
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One of the relatives attending the Coffey family reunion here, Sunday, who came from a distance for the purpose was Mrs. Clarence Kerby and five-months-old baby, Patricia, of St. Louis. Mr. Kerby’s husband, who is a son of former County Commissioner Frank Kerby, has been located with headquarters at St. Louis for some time as district manager of Penney Company store in five or six different states. Mr. Kerby was not able to comedown himself. Mrs. Clarence Kerby is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Malone of Frisco, whom she is also visiting. Her father is in very feeble health.
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Among those present at the reunion and registered were:
S. P. Coffey, McKinney; S. Coffey, Eva Coffey; A. W. Richards, Allen; Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Dungan, Joe D. Dungan, McKinney; Willie Dickens, Fred S. Coffey and wife and twin daughters, Dorthy and Dottie Coffey, McKinney; Bill Coffey, Isaac Coffey, Joyce Crouch; Mr. and Mrs. Orila J. Moss, Nancy, Ermyne Lee and Jack Moss, Bryan, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Garrett and Vira Garrett, McKinney; Kerby Garrett, McKinney; Faye Clark, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Garrett, Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. H. K. Lloyd, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Patsy Ruth and Myra Jean Garrett, Dallas; H. C. Kerby, Dallas; J. C. Smith and wife and Joseph Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Kerby, McKinney; Ada Catherine Coleman, McKinney; Eustance Dungan, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Dungan and family and Rev. A. H. Snider, McKinney; Mr. J. W. Atterbury, Jr., and Allen Arnetta and Jackie Joe, McKinney; Dr. and Mrs. F. E. Richards and son, Forrest, Bonham; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Mallow, McKinney; Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Barbee and Phillip, Jr., Marshall; Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Kerby, Austin; Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Kerby and Jack, McKinney; Mrs. Florence Kerby and Patricia, St. Louis; Gabe Kerby, McKinney; J. R. Bowman, Milt Scott; Mary Lou Durrett, Lancaster; Mary Lois Ballew, James A. Barrett, Hallie Coffey, McKinney; Homer Coffey, McKinney; Mrs. Denia Goode, Plano; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Holland, Walter Dillon and Carolyn Holland, McKinney; Mrs. Homer Coffey, McKinney; Edwin Collins , Wylie; Miss Lucille Parr, Wylie; Mrs. Wood Herndon, Ardmore, Oklahoma; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Walker, Mrs. S. E. Walker, McKinney; Mrs. J. C. Parr, Wylie; Jack M. Parr, Wylie; J. C. Parr, Jr. And wife and Edwin, Houston and Jerry Janet Parr, Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Hedgcoxe, and Mrs. Frank Emerson, McKinney Fred Dickinson, Daily Courier-Gazette and the Weekly Democrat-Gazette, McKinney; Mrs. Roy Biggs, Elizabeth Biggs, Crystene Coffey, Mrs. C. M. Coffey, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Goforth, Mr. and Mrs. F. S. (Tine) Kerby, Mary Ann and Joe Cahterine Kerby, Farmersville; Mr. and Mrs. Gabe Kerby, Margaret Lou Alice Kerby, Martha Kerby, McKinney; M. P. Coffey, Ardmore, Oklahoma, Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Richards, Dallas.
