Coffman Family History & Genealogy

STORY OF CROSSING THE PLAINS
By Susan Elmina Coffman Bramall

I was born April 26, 1855 in Iowa. On the 10th of May, 1864, we left Appanoose County, Iowa, to cross the plains. We arrived in Springville on August 11, 1864, making 3 months and 1 day on the way.
We had a small company, about 10 wagons. We were all relatives. My Grandfather, Jacob Coffman, and Grandmother (Rebecca Matthews Coffman) and their two sons, Marion (William Marion) and Ples (Andrew Pleasant Burgess), with their wives and families. Also Nancy Clark, my mother's sister, and her husband Hyrum and their family.
My father and mother, William Marion and Margaret Serena Coffman, had 5 children --myself (Susan Elmina), Jacob Edward, John Wood, Sylvester Marion, and Joseph Edgar. The Clark family consisted of Uncle Hyrum, Aunt Nancy, and 7 children--Lonzo, George, Rastus, Silas, Lucina, John, and Jim. Uncle Ples and Aunt Margaret had 4 children. My Grandfather and his two sons expected to go to California, but the never got farther than Springville. Our teams consisted of oxen and cows except father and Uncle Hyrum had one team of horses.
We would drive the cows all day hitched to the wagon and then milk them at night. We would but the milk in our little tim churn fastened to the side on the wagon. When we camped at night our milk would be churned to butter by the movement of the wagon.

My grandfather (Jacob Coffman) was an Indian interpreter and this proved to be a blessing, in fact, I might say it saved our lives. The Indians at that time were hostile We heard of them killing people ahead of us. One afternoon as we were plodding along, we could see a cloud of dust in the distance. The older folks were worried for fear it was Indians. Sure enough, when they got near we could see them. They were indeed on the war path. Their faces were painted up and one was swinging a white girl's scalp of long light hair. I will never get that sight out of my mind. They were sullen and acted mean. Grandfather did everything in his power to make friends with them. He gave them tobacco and talked to them as friendly as possible. Finally they acted better and rode away, leaving us unmolested. We always felt that our lives were saved through grandfather being able to speak their language. There were about 300 Indians in the band. I shall never forget how frightened we were, although I was only 9 years old.
For the first few years we had a hard time as all the pioneers did. Many times I have worked all day for people that needed help and perhaps received a tallow candle or maybe a little homemade soup for which we were always thankful. We gleaned wheat in the fields for our bread. That means picking up a head of wheat here and there that had been left from the farmer's cradle scythe. We would work all day and carry our precious sheaves home and that night we would rub it out on a wooden wash board.
The Pioneers that had come before us were very good to us. I shall never forget how good Bishop Johnson was. Bishop Johnson gave us a little house to live in. It was located near where the fire station now stands. Bishop Johnson had a long house nearby. I almost lived with his girls. I can see him now filing out with his big family to go to church. We girls like to line up in the rear so if we could slip away we would.
It is useless to say we were very poor and had a hard struggle. It made it harder because my father was not a Mormon. My mother and her sister Nancy Clark were Mormons. My father and his people were Methodists. They expected to go on to California, but my mother prayed with all her heart that they would not go on. She wanted to stay here with the Saints so bad. The next year my Father and his people went back to Iowa. Father was determined to take us all back, but Mother had got right where she wanted to be and would not go. He left us here to starve, but with the help of the Lord we got along. He was gone a year and returned bringing us clothing and food. He was so glad to get back with his family that he settled down and never wanted to go away again. Although my Father was not a Mormon, He was an honest, upright citizen. Mother's prayer was answered.
I forgot to say my Mother was a frail little woman which made it pretty hard on me when I was home with that family of boys. There were 5 of us when we crossed the plains, Jacob Edward, John Wood, Sylvester Marion, Joseph Edgar and myself. Joseph Edgar died at the age of 5 years. Two children were born after we came to Springville, William Daniel and Thomas.
I was married in the Endowment House on Nov. 1, 1875, to Samuel Bramall. We have raised a family of 3 children, 2 girls and a boy. I have 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. I was chosen on the first Old Folks Committee in 1899 with O. B. Huntington, George Beardall, John Bryan, and Olive Childs. The first entertainment was given on Feb. 4, 1899. I worked on this Committee until I was 72 years old and always enjoyed it so much. I was a Relief Society teacher, I think near 30 years.

obituary of Elizabeth Amanda Hughes Calfee Coffman. GRANDMA COFFMAN PASSES AWAY AT JOSEPHINE. "The many friend and loved ones of Grandma Coffman were sadden when the news went out last Sunday night week ago that she had suffered a stroke of paralysis. Her friends and loved ones did all that could be done for her, but the death angel came Thursday, August 22, 1928 and took her away. (Note: My mother was with her when she died. HRC) "Grandma hadn't been well for several months, but illness never marred her gentle and sweet disposition. She was patient even to the end. "Grandma, as she was known to all her friends was born near Noonan, Ga., April 20 1841, being 87 years, 4 months and three days of age at the time of her death. She came to Texas thirty-four years ago settling near Copeville, but she had made her home in Josephine with her son Lowry (Note: The one buried in Tyler) for the last twenty-seven years. She joined the Baptist church at the age of thirteen having been a member for three quarters of a century. (Note: Known as a "shouting Baptist") "Elizabeth Ann Hughes was first married to John Calfee. To this union were born two children. Her husband died during the Civil War. She then married Leroy Wilson Coffman. He having died many years ago (1896). Grandma is survived by eleven children, J. L. Calfee of Dallas ( Note: The article didn't not mention that this was Dallas, Lafayette County, Mississippi); Mrs. Sallie Jacobs, Gainesville, Texas. These being by her first husband. Mrs. Ida Davis, Lubbock, Texas; Mrs. Rose Coleman, Josephine, Texas, Mrs. Anna Vines, Coolidge, Texas; Mrs. Nellie Hall, Bridgeport, Texas; Mrs. Adna Abbott, Greenville, Texas; Mrs. Lena Jordan, Dallas, Texas; D. G. and Lowery Coffman of Josephine and Rev. Hulon Coffman of Fort Worth, Texas. She had fifty-four grand children and several great great grandchildren. To this host of relatives Grandma left a great heritage of love. She loved everyone, always having a kind word and loving smile for all. To know her was to love her. Old age never affected her sweet disposition. She took a great part in her church's affairs, ready to do what she could. She was -------- ( word unreadable) interest in her country, being a close observer of the times doing what she could for the ----- (word unreadable) and upbuilding of her community. "The funeral was held at the Baptist church in Josephine, Friday afternoon. Services were conducted by Rev. W. R. McDaniel of Greenville, assisted by Rev. Milton Greer, her pastor. "Burial took place in the cemetery in Caddo Mills. The many beautiful floral offerings attested to the high esteem in which Grandma was held. Her going has saddened us and we will miss her, but our loss is another's gain.