My Genealogy Hound

JAMES GARDINER COFFIN (deceased) was born February 16, 1816, in New Lisbon, Ohio, son of Nathan Emery and Eunice (Coffin) Coffin, natives of Nantucket, R. I., and descendants of Tristam Coffin, one of the oldest families in New England. The Coffin family is one of the ancient aristocratic families of England. Mr. Coffin came to Pittsburgh when a young man, and filled the position of bookkeeper for McVay & Co. for a number of years. After that he accepted the agency of the Franklin Fire Insurance company, of Philadelphia, which he retained until his death. He was appointed general agent of the same company in Philadelphia for several years following the Chicago fire; during that time he temporarily resided in Philadelphia. In 1853 he built a beautiful home on Bidwell street, Allegheny City, now occupied by Joseph Home, Esq., where he lived with his family until 1870. In that year he built the homestead at Leetsdale, “Elmridge,” where he lived until his death, which occurred January 5, 1887. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a man of sound judgment and strict integrity of character. Mr. Coffin was married to Isabella C. Anderson, of Somerset, Pa., by whom he had six children.