My Genealogy Hound

JOHN KOFOD, the proprietor of the large grocery store at the corner of Barrows and Williams streets, Jamestown, was born in Denmark, December 29, 1839. His parents were John and Gertrude Ann (Malina) Kofod. His grandfathers and father were farmers in Denmark, where they died.

John Kofod secured his early education in the old country, and lived there until twenty-four years of age, when he came to the United States and settled in Jamestown, securing work at Mr. Jefford’s ax factory, where he worked for eighteen years. He then formed a partnership with Elial Carpenter, and ran a similar establishment on their own account for six years, the site being now occupied by Mr. Powell, who is conducting the same business. Mr. Kofod then sold his interest in the ax factory, and embarked in the sale of groceries on Williams street, with the success shown by the magnitude of the establishment to-day, the storeroom having a ground area of nearly two thousand square feet.

On September 24, 1868, Mr. Kofod married Mrs. Louisa M. Morgan, a daughter of Andrew O. Peterson, who came from Sweden to America in July, 1853. Mr. Peterson was born March 7, 1814, and died at Jamestown, February 13, 1863. He married Anna Stine Frank, in the mother country, May 20, 1840, and had eight children, four of whom were born in Sweden. Mrs. Kofod was twice married, her husband being Peter Morgan, who was born in Denmark, August 16, 1843, and came to America in 1862. He was drowned in Lake Chautauqua, July 15, 1867, leaving his widow with one child, Charles, born August 18, 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Kofod have been born the following children: Julius H., born November 12, 1869, died August 6, 1872; Arthur J., born July 14, 1874; Julia H., born June 8, 1877, died April 15, 1881; Bertha G., born April 10, 1880; Gertrude A., and Christina B. (twins), born October 4, 1883; Theodore M., born September 13, 1885; and John M., born May 26, 1887, died October 23, 1890.

John Kofod’s residence in Jamestown has been continuous since 1863. In politics he is a republican, has served two terms as school trustee, and for five or six years has been assessor of the city. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, giving liberally towards its support.