My Genealogy Hound

S. W. COFLIN, a native of St. Johns, New Brunswick, was born March 31, 1843. He is a ship carpenter, caulker and draughts man, and worked at his trade three years in New Brunswick, then went to Portland, Me., and was employed by the Government as a quarterman for about two years, then to Boston, Mass.; subsequently went to Chicago, Ill., and was employed by the Chicago & North-Western Railroad to build grain barges. In 1861 he went to Cairo, Ill., was employed by the United States Government, and remained about one year. He was there arrested by the Federal troops, and was a prisoner for six months, but finally released with the understanding that he must at once go North. He went to Madison, Ind., and remained three months. In 1864 he went to Cincinnati, and from 1866 to 1872 was engaged in building life and pleasure boats. He then became associated with Val. P. Collins, of Covington, Ky., under the title of Covington Dock Co., and built the Marine Railway at Covington for the purpose of building and repairing steamboats, barges, etc., until April 28, 1881, when Mr. Collins retired from the business. Mr. Coflin has an average of 120 men employed all the time. He is also owner of towboats and barges, is interested in mining and boring for natural gas, and is meeting with success both in Kentucky and Indiana. He is president of the city council; was elected three times as an independent candidate from the Seventh Ward and twice elected on the Democratic ticket. He has been twice elected as a water-works commissioner, and is now president of the water works board. He is a member of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, also a member of the Kentucky Democratic Club, and an honorary member of the Centennial Exposition of the Ohio Valley and Central States. He was married in 1866 to Miss Mary A. Soden, of Cincinnati, Ohio, a lady distinguished for her many fine qualities. Seven children have been born to this union, five of whom are living: Ollie, Albert, Neva, Oscar and Elsa. Mrs. Coflin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Coflin has very frequently been called upon to preside over political conventions and other local meetings, and has always done so with great dignity, firmness and ability. He is a gentleman of pleasing manners, and is universally esteemed.