McMinn County Historical Society of 1969.

"Asbury M. Coffey was prominent in the early records of McMinn County and the town of Athens. The first mention we find of him is on March 6, 1827 when he was taken into Meridian Sun Lodge No. 50. On July 22, 1828 a marriage bond was made for his marriage to Mary G. Bradford. (Mary was the daughter of Henry Bradford who owned considerable land in the area of the County near Columbus.) Jonathan Allen signed the Bond as security.

In the 1829 Tax List, A.M. Coffey appears as does Marvil Coffey who was the husband of one of the daughters of Jesse Boone. In the 1830 Tax List an Eli Coffey appears with A.M. Coffey and Marvil Coffey. This Eli is the father of A.M. Coffey, and probably Marvil Coffey as well. Asbury M. Coffey was named in the will of Jesse Boone, dated 23, Nov. 1829, to serve with Israel Boone as executor of his estate.

When the Hiwassee Railroad was organized Asbury M. Coffey served as Secretary and Treasurer and was one of the six men of Athens who personally signed as subscribers when enough stock had not been sold to keep the Charter for the railroad in force. He was very active in the affairs of the Hiwassee Railroad and after he left Athens in 1842 and went to Missouri he heard of the trouble the railroad was in, the officers being accused of mismanagement, he came back to defend his reputation.

The following was taken from the History of Johnson County, Missouri published in 1882: 'A.M. Coffey, familiarly known as Colonel Coff, was born in Wilkes County, N.C., January 1804. His father, Eli, was a native of Virginia, emigrating to North Carolina in a very early day, and in the company with Daniel Boone, went to Kentucky. His mother was a native of New Jersey. Her father moved to North Carolina when she was quite young. A. M. Coffey was raised and educated in Kentucky. He is a graduate of Center College, located at Danville, Now Boyle County. In 1826 he went to Tennessee, where he was married to Miss Mary Bradford, daughter of Colonel Henry Bradford, of McMinn County. Mr. Coffey's residence being at Athens, he continued to reside there until 1842, when he removed to Missouri and settled in Pettis County. Before coming to Missouri, however, he purchased land in Tennessee. In 1850 he was elected to the legislature from Pettis County. In 1851, was appointed by President Fillmore as Indian Agent for the eastern border, now known as Kansas. At that time it was very rare to see the face of a white man. In 1855-56 was a member of the council of the Kansas Legislature, which was instituted by congress in 1854. Then followed the Kansas troubles. Colonel Coffey, however, was an unwilling participant in many of them. He came to the neighborhood of Knobnoster in 1859 and settled on a farm. In 1873 the State Grange met at this place, and he was elected secretary of the State Grange, and has held this office ever since. He is also member of the school board, of which he has been president for several years. His family consists of three children: Mary C., Henry B., and Rachel, who is now living in Oregon. Personally, Mr. Coffey is above average height, is pleasing in his manner, and is possessed of rare conversational powers.'"

Transcribed by BillBigham@juno.com