My Genealogy Hound

Edward Coe, a substantial farmer of West Bloomfield township, Oakland County, now living retired on his fine farm in section 32, was born March 14, 1821, in the State of New York, and is a son of Samuel and Lucinda (Gage) Coe. The former was born in Dutchess County in 1786, and the latter in Montgomery County, in 1791.

In 1832 our subject’s parents directed their steps to the rich lands open for settlement in Michigan and located on the farm now occupied by our subject, obtaining the same from the government. They entered cheerfully upon the pioneer life with all its hard conditions, and Mr. Coe succeeded in clearing a fine farm. There were 10 children born to him and his good wife, and they were given such educational advantages as the primitive surroundings and conditions afforded. The children were as follows: John M., who died in 1893, in Ionia County, Michigan; Henry, deceased; Samuel Harrison, who died as a soldier during the Civil War; Edward, of this sketch; Nancy and Sarah Ann, both deceased; Lucinda, who married William Case and resides in Ionia County, Michigan: Esther, widow of Wesley Arnold, and a resident of Ionia County, Michigan; Caroline, who married Melvin Arnold and resides in Marion, Michigan; and Reuben, the youngest, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio. The father of this family died in 1851, but the mother survived until 1876.

In 1843 our subject purchased the home farm of his father and continued the business of farming and stock raising, his parents making their home with him during the remainder of his life. The land proved capable of high cultivation and Mr. Coe has had fine farming opportunities. For many years he continued to operate and improve the estate, which contains 80 acres, his father’s original tract, but latterly has given up the operation of the farm to his son Carson, considering that the weight of 82 years deserves relief from activity.

In 1845 Mr. Coe was married to Henrietta Long, who was a daughter of Benjamin Long, of Ionia county, Michigan. She died in 1897. There were five children in the family: William H., Duane W., Carson, John and Fred. William H., who resides on an adjoining farm, was married to Medora Tanner, and has these children: Fred, Eugene, Estella, Eva, Henrietta, Maud, Albert, Lewis, Wellington, Frank, Arthur and Lena, all of whom are living. Duane W. Coe, who was born in 1851, married Eva Parmelee and has three children, — Ella, Lulu and Bessie. Carson, who resides on the homestead farm, was married to Lovina Orr, and has seven children, as follows: Edward, Eloise, Elsie, deceased, Carey, Mabel, Ralph, and Maurine, deceased. Thus, in the evening of life, Mr. Coe is surrounded by numerous descendants who with willing hands and loving hearts fill his days with ease and comfort.

Mr. Coe has long been identified with the Republican party. In religious faith he is a Baptist. His memory carries him back to early days in Michigan and his interesting reminiscences tell of a different country than that which is now so full of business prosperity, modern inventions and comfortable manner of living. He is well and favorably known and is regarded with high esteem all through Oakland County.