William Coffman, son of Daniel and Rhuana Coffman, was born in Washington County, Maryland, July 22, 1841 and died at his home near Polo, Illinois, February 21, 1925, aged eighty-three years, six months and twenty-nine days. When about six years old his parents moved to Ogle County, Illinois and located on a farm in Pine Creek Township where he spent the remainder of his life. He was the sixth in an family of eight children. They have all passed to the great beyond except his youngest brother, George W. Coffman. When his parents moved from Maryland they came in a prairie schooner and settled on what is the present Coffman homestead. He has seen the bleak prairies gradually grow into well cultivated farms. When he same here Mount Morris and Buffalo were small villages. The prairie trails have given place to hard surface roads. He knew all about the hardships of the early pioneer life of Ogle County. On March 11, 1883 he was united in marriage to Lydia Cornelius of Polo, Illinois. To this union were born three sons, Charles W., William Walker, and Alvin Leo. He is survived by his brother George and sons Charles and Alvin, with whom he made his home. His wife passed to the spirit world in the autumn of 1919. Since that time, he many times had expressed his longing to join her there. He is also survived by two granddaughters and two grandsons, children of Charles and Bessie Coffman. In early life he gave his life into his Master’s keeping and united with the United Brethren Church. Meekness, gentleness and kindness were marked characteristics of his life. His whole life was spent in service for others. The funeral, conducted by Elder Trump, was held in the Church of the Brethren, in Polo, Tuesday afternoon at one o’clock. Attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Wells, Mrs. Delia Rizner and Mrs. S. M. Harbough, all of Waterloo, Iowa. His nephews carried him to his last resting place.

Contributed by Julie Bartimus (source unknown)

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