BIOS: William B. COFFROTH, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 259-260.

  William B. Coffroth, of Somerset, Pa., who for over fifty years was engaged in 
the furniture business here, was born in Berlin, this State, on August 25, 1817, 
son of John and Mary (Beson) Coffroth.
  His father was a grandson of Lieutenant John Coffroth, a native of Germany, 
who fought with distinction the American Revolution, and was in service during 
the entire war.  Lieutenant John's son Jacob was also in the Revolution.  After 
the war they settled in Hagerstown, Md., where they engaged in farming.
  John Coffroth, father of William B., was born at Hagerstown.  Many years ago, 
before the introduction of railroads, he was occupied in transporting 
merchandise between Hagerstown and Somerset, using pack horses for the purpose.  
During the last part of his life he resided in Somerset.  He was a member of the 
Reformed church and a very active and influential Free Mason.  He was an old-
time Whig, and was one of four men in Somerset County to vote for Henry Clay for 
President.  His death occurred in 1854.  His wife, who was born at Greencastle, 
and died in 1869, at the age of seventy-six, was a member of the church of the 
Disciples.  Of the nine children born to them, three are living, namely: William 
B.; George R.; and the Hon. Alexander H., a sketch of whom appears in this work.
  William Coffroth received his education in the public schools of Somerset, and 
subsequently, at the age of seventeen years, went to Winchester, Va., where he 
began learning the cabinet-maker's trade.  This he completed at Hagerstown, and 
after that he returned to Winchester, where for the following two years he was 
engaged in the manufacture of furniture.  In 1843 he came to Somerset, and from 
that time on to 1889, when he retired and turned the business over to his son 
Charles, was engaged in the furniture business here.  He was most successful, 
and by his honorable business methods, his unfailing courtesy, and his strict 
attention to the wishes of his customers, he won and kept the sincere regard of 
all with whom he had dealings.  He is now, at the goodly age of eighty years, 
enjoying the fruits of his long-continued industry.
  Mr. Coffroth was married on December 19, 1839, to Mary Helen Bennett, of 
Winchester, Va., daughter of James Bennett.  Of this union thirteen children 
have been born, of whom seven are living.  These are: Georgie, Alexander H., 
Charles H., Edwin B., Olive, Arthur, and Emily C.  Georgie is the wife of 
William Stewart and the mother of three children- William B., Helen, and George 
R. Stewart.  Alexander, who is the second Alexander H. Coffroth, married 
Gertrude C. Ward, and is the father of four children- Alexander Ward and Louise 
(twins), Gertrude, and Edith (deceased).  Charles H. married Ella Brown, and has 
two children- Alice B. and Roy Taylor.  Edwin B. married Clara Kimmell, of 
Somerset, and has a family of five children- Helen, Henry, Frank, Ross, and 
Mary.  Olive is the wife of Marshall Huston, of Philadelphia, and the mother of 
one son, William C. Huston.  Arthur married Florence Long, and has four 
children- Harriet, William B., Emily, and Catherine.  Emily C., who is the wife 
of Charles Fisher, of this place, is the mother of two children- Helen and 
Chauncey.
  Mrs. Mary Helen Coffroth was born on February 14, 1820, and died on November 
11, 1887.  She was a devoted member of the Methodist church.  Mr. Coffroth has 
been a member of the same religious body for the past fifty-five years, for some 
years class leader and one of the stewards and at all times prominent in church 
matters.  In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican.  From 1853 to 
1854 he was County Treasurer, and again from 1870-1871 occupied the same office.  
For a period of nearly eleven years he was Assessor of the town, and for many 
years, down to the present time, a School Director.  He has been a member of 
Somerset Lodge of Odd Fellows for over fifty years, and has passed through all 
the chairs.