"The Oregonian Newspaper." Portland, Multnomah Co., OR.  Dec. 4, 1900. p. 24.
[photo]
 
STEPHEN COFFIN
 
   General Stephen Coffin, prominently identified with the early history of
Portland, was born in Maine, in 1807 and came across the plains in 1847.  He
located at Oregon City, and by frugality and enterprise amassed a considerable
amount of money, and in 1849 purchased a half interest in the Portland land
claim, associating himself with D. H. Lownsdale.  The partnership was later
joined by Colonel W. W. Chapman.  General Coffin was a leader in promoting the
initial enterprises of Portland.  With his partners he resolved to operate an
opposition steamship line between this city and San Francisco.  The Pacific Mail
had established its river terminus at St. Helens.  With his partners and other
he purchased for $18,000 the steamship Gold Hunter, which proved a very
unfortunate investment.  The ship was run off to Central America through the
treachery of agents, and sold for debt and a large balance was charged up to the
stockholders.  General Coffin was the prime mover in the project of building the
wagon road to Tualatin Plains, which cut so important a figure in the
development of Portland's business.  He took a leading part in the organization,
in 1860, of the People's Transportation Company, and was vice-president and
manager of the corporation, which for many years controlled the transportation
on the Willamette River.  For some time it carried on sharp competition with the
Oregon Steam Navigation Company on the Columbia River.  About 1866 he took a
large interest in the Oregon Iron Works, which was destroyed by fire and netted
him a loss of about $40,000.  He took an active part in promoting the Oregon
Central road, west side.  He built by contract about 20 bridges.  He was a
member of and a large contributor to the Patrons of Husbandry in Oregon, and
with others organized the order into a business known as the Northwestern
Storage & Shipping Company.  He was associated with various business
enterprises, and took a very active and prominent part in matters for the
general welfare of the public.  He donated to the City of Portland its public
levee, and gave largely to churches and schools.  The first church and school
bell in the city was purchased by General Coffin.  When the Yakima Indian War
broke out he was the first man to move for the defense of the settlers.  He
provided a steamboat at his own expense, with provisions and blankets, to
transport troops for the defense of the settlers.  In 1868 Governor Gibbs made
Mr. Coffin Brigadier-General of the Oregon militia.  He is altogether one of the
best-remembered and highest-esteemed of the original town proprietors.  He died
at Dayton, Yamhill County, March 16, 1882.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.