Coffinberry, Wright Lewis

Other Events:

• Residence: 1850, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA; Age: 43
• Residence: 1860, 1 W. Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI
• Residence: 1870, Grand Rapids Ward 1, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA; Age: 63; MaleCitizenOverTwentyone: Y; PersonalEstateValue: 3000; RealEstateValue: 10000; Occupation: Civil Engineer
• Residence: 1880, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA; StreetAddress: Summit Street; Age: 73; Occupation: Civil Engineer; EnumerationDistrict: 135; MaritalStatus: Married; RelationToHead: Self

Notes:

Capt. Wright L. Coffinberry [Grand Rapids Eagle]

Capt. Wright L. Coffinberry was born at Lancaster, Ohio, April 5, 1807. His father, George L. Coffinberry, was born in Berkeley county, Va. He was a farmer and cut the first road from Wheeling, W. Va., to Zanesville, Ohio, and drove the first team over it. He went to Chillicothe, Ohio, in its earliest days and four years later removed to Lancaster, at a period when it was first laid out. The mother of the deceased, Elizabeth (LITTLE) Coffinberry, was a native of Berkeley county, Va. His parents fixed their residence at Mansfield, Ohio, in 1809, when their son was two years old. He received a common school education and at eighteen years of age left the farm to learn the trade of millwright and carpenter, which calling he followed thirteen years, winning a good repute as a. mechanic. At the solicitation of the Civil Engineers' Corps of Ohio he enrolled himself in that body in 1836 and has seen much active service in civil engineering in the States of Ohio and Michigan.

In 1844 he went to St. Joseph, this State, and in 1846 came to this city, where he opened a watch and clock repair shop which he carried on for four years. In 1850 he was elected first city surveyor and three years later was engaged by the government as surveyor of lands in the northern part of the State. In 1854 he was again elected city surveyor and held the position three years. He has platted about one hundred and fifty additions to the city. In 1859 he surveyed a State road from Grand Rapids to Northport, in the extreme north of Leelanaw county, the location of which cost a month's travel on foot carrying a knapsack. In 1860 he fulfilled a contract to construct a road forty miles long north of Newaygo, cutting and bridging it. In 1861. he enlisted and raised a company of 100 men in this city (Co. C, First Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics). He Served as captain One and one-half years during the war of 'the Rebellion, when he resigned.

His collection of plans and drawings and curious remains of his career in his profession is novel and affords matter for much entertainment. In 1881 he was elected county superintendent of the poor, which position he held for six years, discharging the difficult and delicate duties with marked ability and faithfulness.

He was married August 18, 1831, near Mansfield , 0., to Jane BEACH, who was born in Pennsylvania and reared in Ohio. August 18, 1881, they celebrated their golden wedding. Mrs. Coffinberry survives him, aged nearly eighty-four years. They have had four children: Emma, who died in 1844; Andrew B. , married and residing in this city; Rebecca J. and Julia F., who have long been widely useful teachers in the city schools.

Mr. Coffinberry had had an experience covering a list of vicissitudes equal to most men who were representatives of the old pioneer period. He began the work of temperance here many years ago and labored unremittingly in its interest. He was, one of the earliest members of the republican party, and never swerved from fealty to that party.

He had been connected with the Odd Fellow and Masonic orders for many years. During his early residence in this city he was a member of the Lyceum This was, superseded by the Lyceum of Natural History. During the war the latter barely existed, and finally was merged in the Kent Scientific Institute, which is an important institution of the city. Of this he has always been an active member, serving at different periods as the president of all these societies, and for several years he was chairman of the committee on archaeology He had made many explorations in that line, collecting many valuable relies in archaeology.

He was a man of abounding kindness of heart, of the most absolute integrity with profound religious convictions which actuated his every moment of life, and with a reputation as a man and a citizen which is a rich legacy for his family. His death will be mourned in many a household besides his own, and his wise counsels and exemplary life will be remembered with Pleasure by all who have had the rare good fortune to, know him.

Mr. Coffinberry left his home in Grand Rapids, Mich., Tuesday morning, March 26, 1889, in his usual health, and expired in a street car, without a moment's warning. He was a gentleman of unusual vigor, both of body and mind, and this continued until the day of his death.

Wright married Beach, Jane on 18 Aug 1831 in Grand Rapids, MI. Jane was born in 1805 in Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1870, Grand Rapids Ward 1, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA; Age: 30; Occupation: At Home
• Residence: 1880, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA; StreetAddress: Summit Street; Age: 40; EnumerationDistrict: 135; MaritalStatus: Single; RelationToHead: Daughter

Other Events:

• Residence: 1870, Grand Rapids Ward 1, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA; Age: 27; Occupation: Copyist
• Residence: 1880, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA; StreetAddress: Summit Street; Age: 37; Occupation: Teacher; EnumerationDistrict: 135; MaritalStatus: Single; RelationToHead: Daughter