JOHN
R. COFFROTH, one of the ablest lawyers of Indiana, and since
1870 a resident
of Lafayette, was born in Greencastle, Franklin County, Pennsylvania,
August
11, 1828. His father, WILLIAM COFFROTH, was a native of Maryland, and
of
German descent, and his mother, ELIZABETH (WOOD) COFFROTH, was of
English
extraction, her ancestors for several generations being natives of
Virginia.
MR. COFFROTH received a
good education, and when very young he began a study of law in the
office
of Hon. JAMES X. McLANAHAN, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. November 2,
1848, before he had reached his majority, he was admitted to the bar,
and
in May of the year following he removed to what was then the far West,
settling in the village of Huntington, Indiana, where he resided until
1870, when he removed to Lafayette. He at once entered upon the
practice
of law, which he has ever since pursued with eminent success. He was
admitted
to practice in the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana and alos the
United
States Circuit Court in November, 1851, and in the Supreme Court of the
United States in March, 1866. In his political principles he has ever
been
a Democrat, advocating his views during the various campaigns with an
ability
seldom equaled, serving on party committees, in nominating conventions,
etc. Being very diffident, he has generally avoided office-holding, but
several times he has represented his district in the Legislature. In
1866
he was the candidate for the office of attorney general; in 1868, 1872
and 1880, the candidate for Democratic Elector from the State at large,
and in 1886 was the candidate for Supreme Judge of the State. In 1878
he
was the choice of his party for member of Congress, but he declined to
become a candidate on account of his private business. He is the
favorite
of his party for any office. In educational matters he takes a great
interest;
was a trustee of Purdue University for several years, a part of the
time
being president of the board; was also president of the Lafayette city
school board for a number of years, and ex-officio president of the
public
library. MR. COFFROTH is noted for his industry, as well as skill, for
perseverance, as well as enterprise, and to these attributes is due
most
of his success in life. His kindly manners and genial disposition make
every one his friends.
March 24, 1864, is the date
of his marriage to MISS SUSAN RANDOLPH, and the children born to this
union
are-WILLIAM R., born January 26, 1865, at present a student at law, and
BESSIE, born September 1, 1866.
Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County,
Indiana,
pg. 418
Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1888
Biography Index
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