Silas Coffey

Born in Owen County, Indiana, Coffey attended Indiana University at Bloomington in 1860, but "withdrew when the Civil War erupted".[1] He enlisted in the Union Army for a three month tour of duty.[2] His regiment, the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, was deployed, and remained in the military for three years.[2] While serving, "[h]e carried a copy of Blackstone's Commentaries with him",[1] and "studied while halting on a march and read at night by the light of the campfires".[2] He served actively until June 1863, when he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps for the remainder of his service.[2]

Coffey returned to private life on November 1, 1864, and continued to study law, entering private practice in Bowling Green, Indiana, then the county seat of Clay County.[1] He partnered with influential Indiana Bar member Allen T. Rose until 1868, and then with Major W. W. Carter.[2]

During this time, Coffey "was an active participant in the Republican Party".[1] On March 25, 1881, Governor Porter appointed Coffey to a seat on the Indiana Circuit Court, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Turman.[2] In June of the following year, Coffey "was nominated by acclamation to continue the position of circuit judge", serving until his election to the Indiana Supreme Court in 1888.[2]

Coffey retired from the bench in 1895, returning to private practice in Brazil, Indiana, in partnership with Judge McGregor, until his death.[2]

Coffey married Caroline Byles, from a Pennsylvania family, with whom he had six children, of whom three daughters and one son lived.[2]

He died in Brazil, Indiana. The Clay County Bar passed a resolution stating, of Coffey, "In his death this community has lost a useful and valuable citizen; the bar has lost an able lawyer, and his family a kind, devoted, and affectionate husband and father".[2]