U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Coffland, John S. (b. 1862) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 582-584 JOHN S. COFFLAND is proprietor of the Horse Exchange, the only place of its kind in Wheeling, West Virginia. His business is located at No. 955 Market street, and there he has a very flourishing trade. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio, June 2, 1862. He is a son of George W. and Martha Ann (Wadsworth) Coffland, also natives of Ohio. George W. Coffland became a dealer in live stock when 20 years old, and continued in the business until his death, June 2, 1895, at the age of 75 years. He was united in matrimony with Martha Ann Wadsworth, who died when 49 years, three months and 11 days old. Her family was one of the oldest in the county. Her father was a sickle-maker by trade, and was a pioneer settler of Belmont County. To this union were born eight children, as follows: Emily E., the wife of James T. Bentley; William N., who is engaged in the clothing and wool business in Wisconsin; Milton T., also a resident of Wisconsin, where he is in the gents' furnishing business, and handles wool: Charles C, deceased; Elwood, who died in infancy; Mary A., the wife of E. E. Pancoast, a resident of Belmont County, who farms near Belmont: John S.; and James E., who lives in Wisconsin with his brother Milton T. George W. Coffland took little interest in politics. He was an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife was a member. Mr. Coffland was a model man in business, in morals, and in social life. Although doing business with those who drank, smoked, chewed, and swore, he was never known to do any of these things. He was a great favorite among his acquaintances, well known in his own county and those adjoining, and always respected for his firm stand. He died without an enemy. John S. Coffland obtained his early mental training in the public schools of Belmont County, Ohio. After his school days were ended, he embarked in the live stock business with his father, handling cattle, sheep, hogs and horses, and continuing in the business in Belmont County until 1896. In April of that year, he sold out and removed to Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia, where he opened up his present business, at first as a livery and sale concern, and later, leaving out the livery, he gave his attention to buying and selling horses. During last year he handled 1,303 head, and expects to come close to 2,000 head in the present year, as he is doing a splendid business. He has the best location that is possible, and employs seven men all summer in caring for the stock. Mr. Coffland was united in marriage with Mary E. Coffland, on January 2, 1885. Although bearing the same name she is not a relative of her husband. She is a daughter of J. W. Coffland, and is a native of Belmont County, Ohio. Mr. Coffland and his worthy wife have been blessed with two children, — Lois G. and Howard J. Mrs. Coffland is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Coffland is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In politics he votes for the man he thinks will best fill the office. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Ohio County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/ohio/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------