JAMES PERRY COFFMAN, Webster County, was born January 8, 1840, in Hopkins County, Ky., and in 1855 removed to near Ashbysburgh, where he remained until 1872, when he located in Slaughterville, where he has since resided. He is the son of John and Elizabeth I. Coffman. He was married, January 16, 1862, to Miss Mary L., daughter of William R. and Louisa (Carlisle) Smith, of Webster County (born August 11, 1845), and this union has been blessed with the birth of Edward W. (deceased), Ida K. Roberts S., Carrie, Minnie, James T., May and Annie G. In 1861 Mr. Coffman commenced business as a general merchant and tobacco dealer at Ashbysburgh, where he remained until 1872, when he removed to Slaughterville. On account of reverses he failed in business in 1874, but is now once more on his feet, and prosecuting his business with encouraging success. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Methodist and a Democrat.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 1029.