HERMAN G. COE

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Herman G. Coe and Mrs. Herman G. Coe and Grandson

Herman G. Coe was for years classed with the prosperous farmers and wide-awake business men of Fairfield township, where he owned elven hundred acres of land. He now makes his home in Clarence in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He has lived in Cedar county since June, 1853, and has therefore witnessed the wonderful transformation that has been wrought, converting the wild prairie and timber land into valuable farming property. He has now passed the eighty-fourth milestone of life’s journey, his birth having occurred in Yates county, New York, January 7, 1826. His father, Hon. Matthew M. Coe, was a native of Rockland county, New York, where he was reared. In 1814 he became a resident of Yates county, where he became a leading and well known farmer. He also figured prominently in the public life of the community and was elected and served for three terms as a member of the Ohio general assembly.

Herman G. Coe was reared to manhood in Sandusky county, Ohio, and supplemented his education, acquired in the public schools, by a term’s attendance at Norwalk Academy and Republic Academy. Later he engaged in teaching for two terms and early in his business career he was employed as a clerk In a store in Republic for several years. In these ways he received a good practical business training and was thus well qualified for the more onerous and important duties that devolved upon him later in his business career.

Mr. Coe was married in Republic on the 1st of June, 1852, to Miss Katie McClung, who was born in Ontario county, New York, but was reared in Ohio, to which state she removed in 1833. The year following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coe came to Iowa, making their way direct to Tipton. Soon afterward he purchased land near Tipton and they lived upon the farm for three years, during which period he built a house and barn. Later he sold that place and bought eight hundred acres of raw prairie land in Fairfield township, his property altogether embracing twelve hundred acres. All this he broke, fenced and improved, putting substantial buildings upon the place. He resided there for nine years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Clarence, but continued to give personal supervision to his farming interests. He became a stockholder in the Clarence Savings Bank, serving as president for some years, and is still one of its directors. He has thus figured prominently in local financial circles as well as in association with farming pursuits.

While Mr. Coe’s business interests have become extensive and of a most important character, demanding much of his time and attention, he has yet found opportunity to cooperate in many measures for the public good. For thirteen years he served as a director of the Clarence independent school district and his labors constituted an effective element in the interests of public education. His family were advocates of the democracy, but Mr. Coe has always been a supporter of the republican party, casting his vote for Fremont in 1856 and for each presidential nominee since that time. He helped organize Fairfield township, served as a member of the county board of supervisors for six years and for one year acted as president of the board. He has also been a delegate to county and state conventions and does all in his power to further the political principles in which he believes.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coe have been born five children: Upton G., who died in Tipton at the age of six years; Clara, who became the wife of Sullivan Enlow, a lawyer, but both are now deceased; Isabelle, the deceased wife of the Rev. Dobson, a minister of the Presbyterian church; Victor G., a lawyer, practicing in Clinton, Iowa, and Dr. Pliny W. Coe, a physician, residing at State Center, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Coe are members of the Presbyterian church at Clarence and contribute liberally to its support. They have traveled quite extensively in this country, both in the east and in the west, making numerous trips. They are especially well acquainted with Iowa and Mr. Coe can name the county seat of every county in this state and also in Ohio and New York. He possesses a most retentive memory and, although he is now eighty-four years of age, keeps in close touch with the questions and issues of the day. He has been a resident of the county for fifty-seven years and has ever been regarded as an active and useful citizen. He has a wide acquaintance in Cedar and adjoining counties and is a man of tried integrity and worth, he and his estimable wife being held in the highest regard by all who know them. He has passed far on life’s journey and can look back without regret, so honorable and straightforward has been his record.