OBIT: James B. COUGHENOUR, 1932, West End, Confluence, Somerset County, PA 

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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JAMES B. COUGHENOUR

  James B. Coughenour died at his home in West End, Confluence, at 5:30 a.m. 
Thursday, August 11th, following two strokes of apoplexy, the first suffered 
Wednesday morning at 6:30 a.m., followed by another at about 7 a.m.  He lapsed 
into unconsciousness shortly after he suffered the second stroke, and remained 
in a coma until his death.
  James B. Coughenour was born in Connellsville on Nov. 1, 1856, a son of the 
late Gilbert and M. L. Coughenour, and was aged 75 years, 9 months and 10 days.  
He received his education in the Connellsville public schools, and at the age of 
eighteen entered the service of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as a helper in 
the Connellsville shops.  After a years' service with the B. & O., he became an 
apprentice in the shops of the National Locomotive Company.  In 1878, at the age 
of 22, he returned to the service of the Baltimore and Ohio, entering the 
service as a locomotive fireman.  After fourteen months service, he was promoted 
to locomotive engineer, and served in this position both on freight and 
passenger runs until his retirement in 1921.
  Mr. Coughenour was married twice, his first wife, Agnes Elvira Hill, preceding 
him to the grave a number of years ago.  He later married Mrs. Mary Shipley of 
Confluence, who survives him.  He is also survived by two stepsons, Clifford 
Shipley of Confluence, and Kenneth Shipley of Springdale; a brother, Joseph 
Coughenour, of Smithfield, and three sisters, Mrs. J. W. Kelly, of Pittsburgh, 
Mrs. Ira Beal and Mrs. B. F. Jones, of Connellsville.
  Many years of Mr. Coughenour's life were spent in Confluence and vicinity, he 
living here previous to the death of his first wife.  Following her death he 
returned to Connellsville, and in 1917 returned here, entering the passenger 
service between Connellsville and Cumberland.  He served later as engineer on a 
work train out of Confluence, followed in turn by service on the C. & O. Branch 
and in service on Passenger Train 43 between Cumberland and Connellsville, in 
which service he was when he retired in 1921.
  In 1924 he was elected to serve a six-year term as Justice of the Peace and in 
1930 he was re-elected for another six year term.  During the past year he has 
served as Borough Weighmaster.  "Big Jim," as he was usually called here, was a 
man of much personality and a friend of all the kiddies, as well as the older 
folks.  He will be sadly missed by all his friends and neighbors who loved him 
for his kindly disposition.   
  James B. Coughenour was for many years a member of the Confluence Baptist 
Church, a member of the Elks of Connellsville; a member of the Baltimore and 
Ohio Veterans Association; a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, 
Lodge No. 50, of Connellsville, and the last surviving member of Co. C, 
Connellsville Grays, a company of the Pennsylvania National Guard.  In politics 
he was a consistent and outstanding Democrat.
  Seventy-five members of the Elks organization came from Connellsville and held 
services at the family home at 1 p.m., Sunday.  Funeral services were held in 
the Confluence Baptist Church, at 2:45 p.m., conducted by Rev. Leslie Magargee, 
supply pastor of the Confluence Baptist Church.  Interment in the Baptist 
cemetery, with services conducted by Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.  
Charles B. Humbert was the funeral director in charge.

Meyersdale Republican, August 18, 1932