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 OL. JOHN COFER, deceased, formerly a
prominent citizen of Rural Retreat, Douglas Co., Ill., was born July 9, 1804, in Cane
Spring, Bullitt Co., Ky., and was the son of Thomas
and Sarah Winn (Griffin) Cofer, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. Thomas Cofer was born in 1781 at Old Limestone Fort,
Va., and his father, William Cofer, emigrated from
that State to Kentucky. Mrs. Sarah Griffin, nee
Winn, was born in Maryland, and her marriage to
Thomas Cofer took place in Kentucky, where she
was at the time residing. Col. Cofer was reared to agricultural pursuits, and his early advantages for education were very limited, but his native mental abilities were of a high order. He possessed a thoughtful, inquiring mind, and took advantage of every opportunity to satisfy his craving for knowledge, and readily acquired a vast fund of general information, He was a profound thinker on all subjects of National and social importance, a ready reasoner, and an apt and forcible writer. From his early youth he was a stanch Whig, and warmly sustained the principles of political and social economy advanced by that party. He represented Hardin County, Ky., in the Lower House of the Legislature in 1838-39 and from 1841 to 1848. His superior ability in the management of public affairs was then recognized by his election to the Senate, where he represented Hardin, Meade and La Rue Counties until 1850. He warmly advocated economy in public expenditures, and an improved system in the general educational and charitable institutions of the State. Col. Cofer originated and aided in drafting and passing the bill chartering the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company, which is now the most prosperous corporation in Kentucky. At the time when railroad enterprises were unknown in that State, he was one of a committee sent to investigate the operations of the Eastern and Western Roads, with a view to securing similar advantages for Kentucky, and his earnest and eloquent appeals to the people along the line of the proposed road aided largely in inducing them to offer voluntary subscriptions of the stock, which secured to them the building of their first railroad. After retiring from the Senate in 1854, he disposed of his interest in Kentucky and moved to Rural Retreat, which at that time was in Coles County. He was soon chosen Postmaster of the place, and in 1856 was one of the Electors on the Fillmore ticket, and in I860 was an Elector on the Bell and Everett ticket. During the Civil War Col. Cofer was rigid in his adherence to the Union cause, and from 1860 was independent in politics, voting for the man whom he considered best fitted for the position, without regard to party. He usually sustained the Democratic party, however, but was firmly opposed to nullification and secession; his views of emancipation favored the gradual colonization policy. In 1871-72 he represented Douglas County in the General Assembly with his accustomed zeal and ability, which closed his career as a representative law-maker of Illinois. Col. Cofer’s marriage to Miss Mary Eleanor Ma- gill took place Dec. 1, 1825. Mrs. Cofer was born Feb. 7, 1807, in Annapolis, Md., and is the daughter of Robert and Helen (Stockett) Magill. Her parents were natives of Maryland, and her great-grandfather, Rev. James Magill, was the first minister ordained to preach in America, of the Church of England. He was a faithful worker for the Master in the old Colonial days from 1730 to 1736. Her grandfather’s name was John Magill. Mrs. Cofer’s mother was the daughter of Dr. Thomas (Noble) Stockett, a prominent physician of Annapolis. Col. Cofer was a man of temperate habits, and by his industry and enterprise acquired a fine property, which enabled him to provide all of his children with comfortable homes. His family consisted of ten children: Elvira Ann, deceased, was the wife of William D. Martin, a resident of Kentucky; she left a family of four children. Thomas N., deceased; Robert A., deceased, married Miss Catherine A. Duvall; John S., deceased, married Miss Sarah K. Wyeth; Charles F., deceased; Mary H. married David T. Shirley, and resides in Texas; she had a family of eight children, one of whom, David T., died March 5, 1881, in Cook County, Tex. Thomas N. (2d) married Miss Rachel E. Combes, and re sides in Seven Hickory Township, Coles County: William Henry married Miss Margaret Daily, of Lerna; they have a family of four children, and reside in Gainesville, Tex. Henrietta M., deceased, married Thomas Midwinter, and left one daughter, who resides in Arcola, Douglas Co., Ill.; Susan A. married H. M. McCrory, and lives in Hardman County, Tex. Col. Cofer and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. They were both earnest, sincere Christians, and were actively interested in building up the cause of Christ on the Western frontier, giving liberally both of their time and means, in that labor of love. Col. Cofer died Feb. 12, 1881, in Cook County, Tex., at the home of his youngest daughter, Mrs. McCrory, where he had gone for his health. His widow still survives him, and has now reached the advanced age of eighty years. She possesses a fine physique, and is well preserved, hale and hearty. She resides with her son, Thomas N. Cofer. Col. Cofer was a wise counselor in public affairs, and in every relation of life bore the character of a thorough Christian gentleman. In his home he was a kind and loving husband and father, and courteous and hospitable to all. During his later years he devoted a great deal of his time to the compilation of an autobiography, to leave to his children, and had reached the proof sheets when his work was cut short by death. |
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