A. L. Coffman, Local Pioneer Dies Yesterday Morning
Abraham Lincoln Coffman, one of Chehalis' most prominent pioneer business men, died early yesterday morning, having failed to rally from a major surgical operation, performed a week ago. He was 66 years of age, born April 9, 1865, at Urbana, Ill. He was the twelfth child of Mr. and Mrs. Noah Beery Coffman, former Chehalis residents, who died many years ago. As a young man Mr. Coffman went to Kansas with his brother, J. Y. Coffman, living for a time in that state. He came to Chehalis in 1888, taking a homestead shortly afterwards on the head of Elk creek in western Lewis county. February 25, 1891, he was married to Miss Elsie J. Gates, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Gates, well known Claquato pioneers.
During his early residence locally, Mr. Coffman served as deputy postmaster under the administration of J. E. Willis. Afterwards he took over N. B. Coffman's real estate and insurance business and about 1890 J. M. Kepner associated with him in this line. The firm was widely known as Coffman & Kepner. On Mr. Kepner's retirement, A. L. Coffman's nephew, the late H. C. Coffman, who died a year ago, became associated with him. The business was continued as A. L. Coffman & Co. until the retirement of A. L. Coffman. H. C. Coffman carried it on later as H. C. Coffman & co., by which name it is still known.
After his retirement from the realty and insurance business, A. L. Coffman became associated with the late T. C. Rush in the Chehalis Improvement Company and they carried on an extensive business, investing in Chehalis business property, timber lands and other holdings. Mr. Coffman afterwards sold his Improvement Company interests to Mr. Rush and H. C. Coffman and established the Chehalis Garage business with his son, John B. Coffman. This was developed into one of the largest concerns of the kind in southwest Washington.
Mr. Coffman was a life member of Chehalis Lodge No. 1374, B.P.O. Elks; the Ancient Order United Workmen and the Woodmen of the World.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Elsie J. Coffman, and two sons, Robert G. Coffman and John B. Coffman; and a brother, N. B. Coffman, pioneer Chehalis banker; also two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Patten of Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. Emma Stevenson of Peoria, Ill.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon, directed by the Sticklin Mortuary. The body will lie in state at the Coffman home, 763 Pennsylvania avenue, from Friday noon until time for the funeral. This will be at 2 o'clock, Sunday, at the Sticklin chapel. Burial will be at Claquato.
Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, 23 Oct 1931, page 1.
Transcribed by Diana Smith. She has no further information on this individual.