Connecticut western news., 1882-08-23

before the tune for the eXamlnatlOn anu decision MT. Coffng received letter from government official notifying him of the date and limiting that he would do we'll to be on hand to ''talk" for his own iron. The implication seemed to be that there might be some sharp practice in awarding the contract, and that each concern must look out for it's own interests. MT. Cofing was in MT. Seeley's office when he read this letter. Picking up piece of paper and pen he replied substantially as fol lows: ''You have my iron. It speaks for itself. If it is the best specimen shown you will of course award us the contract If not we don't want it. y
 MT. Coffing became president of the Richmond iron company about 1852, and held the office until 1866 or '67 when he sold his stock to William H. Barnum, and was succeeded in the pres idency by Samnel s. Robbins of Lake vile who was succeeded in his turn by MT. Barnum. In 1876, MT. Cofing rep resenting the interest of the estate ot George Coffing, was again chosen a dl- rector and president, and held the office till his death. He was one of the in corporators of the Monument mills company in 1850, but afterwards with drew from that corporation. He was for three years, from 1849, director of the old Mahaiwe bank, was at one time a trustee of the Great Harrington sav- ings bank, and at his deathta director in the Housatonic national bank of Stock bridge, and president of the Berkshire railroad.
 Though often solicited to accept pub lie office he has often declined to do SO. On one occasion he was elected an asses sor, but after sitting with the board two days he peremptorily refused further service. He did, however, go to Chi cago in 1860 as one of the Massachusetts delegates to the convention which nom- mated Abraham Lincoln. With the others of his delegation he worked for William H. Seward until it became manifest that the New York candidate could not be nominated.
 But while MT. Cofing would not take office, he always felt a keen interest ln the honor and prosperity of both hls native and adopted towns. During the war he was active in furthering all pub lie measures in which the town had part. He presided at and addressed meetings and exerted himself unspar' ingly in the work of raising men and means to carry on the war. He tel' keenly on the subject of soldiers monument, regarding which many who favored memorial hall differed with him, and it was largely through his ex ertions that the monument was finally erected The bronze figure of victory
 by Bartlett, which surmounts 1t, was substantially his gift.
 To all objects that his judgment ap
 proved, MT. Cofing was generous giver. The beautiful chapel of Trinity
 parish, Van Deusenville, was bull
 largely by his aid, and his native tow1
 of Salisbury is indebted in good de
 gree to his interest and efforts for 1t
 new public hall In these days o
 shoddy workmanship, MT. Coffiugs pas
 sion for thoroughness is worth men
 tioning. This trait was always show
 whenever he had any work in hand 10
 himself or the company to which h.
 belonged, and was conspicuously see1
 in the building of the iron bridge. nea
 the Berkshire woolen mill. As mem
 Der of the committee having that wor
 in charge Mr. Coffing gave to the build
 ing of the abutments, day after day h1 personal superintendence, and in the1 solid walls, made to stand for mol than one generation, he never ceased take an honest pride, that many SC called common laborer might well en ulate.
 Personally MT. Cofing was genia fond of conversation and a good stor, and keen in his remarks His honest was a part of his very fibre, but, as , so often the case with sternly uprigl f men, he was sometimes wrong ln h impressions of otheas, and occasional , cherished prejudices that were n' l always we'll founded. He leaves I r children to share his large estate. I'll I funeral services will be from the hou
 at Van Deusenville tomorrow afternoe j. at l 80 o'clock, and will be conductt > by the Rev. Lewis Green, of Ashfeld, T. former pastor of Trinity church. u Berkshire Courier.
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