Coffey, Timothy R., 1849?-1915

COFFEY, COFEY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/18/2016 at 07:18:40

From the Rock Valley Bee, May 21, 1915:

DEATH OF TIMOTHY COFFEY

Timothy Coffey died Thursday, May 13, at the home of his sister, Mrs. Patrick Langen, in this city, his death being due to heart trouble. Mr. Coffey was taken sick at Chamberlain, S.D., about eight or nine days before his death and Mrs. Langen and Frank Hevern went to Chamberlain May 5th, and brought him to Rock Valley. They did not know that his condition was so serious, but expected him to recover. He became worse rapidly until the end came.

The subject of this sketch was born at Streator, Illinois, January 31st, 1849, and was sixty-five years, four months and twelve days old. In 1873 he went to Europe and for several years was engaged in the business of buying blooded stock, especially horses, and shipping them to this country. In 1901 he went to Chamberlain, S.D., and took up a claim where he lived until he was taken sick a few days ago.

Besides his sister, Mrs. Patrick Langen, and other relatives he leaves to mourn another sister, Mrs. Freeland of Fowler, Indiana, and a brother, Thomas J. Coffey of Streator, Illinois. Leo Freeland, a nephew from Indiana, came to attend the funeral.

Funeral services were held Saturday morning from St. Mary's church in this city, and the remains were taken to the Catholic cemetery southeast of town for burial.

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From the Alton Democrat, May 22, 1915: Rock Valley news:

Timothy R. Coffey, who has been living on a claim near Chamberlain, S.D., since 1901 and who in recent years has been afflicted with heart trouble and his condition becoming more serious, was brought here to the home of his sister, Mrs. Patrick Langan on May fifth, when he continued to grow worse and on May thirteenth he died.

Deceased was born in Streator, Ill., Jan. 31, 1849 and at the time of his passing was sixty-five years, four months and twelve days of age. In 1873 he was engaged in dealing in fine bred horses and during that year he went to England, France and other parts of Europe and imported horses to this country for speculation. He was an industrious man and by economy he acquired a competency.

He was single, the youngest member of their family and leaves two sisters, Mrs. Patrick Langan of Rock Valley, and Mrs. Eliza Freeland of Fowler, Ind., and Thomas J. Coffey of Streator, Ill., to mourn his departure. All were present to pay a last respect to a departed brother, except Thomas J. Coffey, who was unavoidably detained at home.

The funeral services occurred Saturday May 15th at St. Mary's Catholic church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. John A. O'Reilly, in the presence of sympathizing friends and neighbors, after which his body was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery south of town. The bereaved have the sympathy of their many friends in their hour of sorrow. Leo Freeland of Freeland Park, Ind., and P. H. Donehue of Sheldon attended the funeral.

(The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Cofey, Robert, Timothy, d. 12 May 1915, St. Marys Cem Rock Valley -- unclear which is really intended to be his forename.)