Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-30
Observation-Disclosures

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
3 OBITUARY.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
From fridays Daily.
w. s. Coen.
The death of Attorney Winfield S.
Coen occurred at his late residence, 5O7
North Court street. last evening, at
$3.50 o'clock, after lingering illness
of almost len weeks. His condition
has been critical for several days past,
and his death has been momentarily
expected for some time. Notwithstan-
ding this fact. the people of Ottumwa
win learn with the deepest regret OF
the death of one of the city's most in
tinensial citizens, one who has been
identified with the interests of Ottum-
wa al all times during his long resi-
dence here. and a man who was noted
especially for his integrity and his
learning as u lawyer. He ranked high
in the Mapello county bar and had
large clientagc whose interests it was
always his aim TO serve. rather than
promote strife and litigation. The de-
ceased was an active member of the
Wapello County Old Settlers associa-
ton, having served as its secretary
from the time of its organization until
1888, when he was superseded by At
sorney w. A. Work.
Winfield Scott Coen was born in Per-
~ county, Ohio, April 8, 1917. His
father was Samuel Coen. of Lancas-
ter, Pa. who united in marriage with
Miss Mary A. Mccormick, relative of
Cyrus Mccormick, of Chicago. To this
union was born james, of Abba, now
engaged at that place in the practice
of law; John, of Monroe county, and
the deceased, Winfield S. When quite
young Mr.. Coen removed with his pa
rents TO Monroe county, where the
father died in 1883. the mother having
preceded him in death in 1869. On
January i, 1878, the deceased was unit
ed in marriage to Miss Martha +. Har-
bison, of Abba. To this union were
born three children, who together with
Mrs. Coen, survive the husband and
father. The children are: Walter S.,
Thomas F., and j. Ralph, all of whom
are al home.
Mr.. Coen received his early education
in the public schools of Monroe county,
and like all students in pioneer days
his advantages were comparatively
limited, altho he made the BEST posi-
bic use of those at hand. Iu 1864, at
the age of IL, he proffered his services
in defense of the flag and enlisted in
Company A, Fifth Iowa cavalry. The
first scene of his military experience
twas in middle Tennessee and Georgia.
He was engaged with his comrades in
active service against the rebel raids or
Wheeler and Forest and participated
lin the battle OF Franklin. and after
the hard campaign around Nashville,
was engaged with his regiment in fol-
lowing up the troops of General Hood,
and afterward participated in the fam.
Gus brigade charge at Pulaski, Tenn.
charging the rebels and burning the
bridges along the route, being under
lrebel fire much of the time. Mr.. Coen
received wound in the foot, while his
regiment was four miles west of Pu-
laski, on account of which he received
an honorable discharge July IA, 1865.
After his return from the army, Mr..
Coen proceeded to Monroe county,
Iowa, and engaged in farming pursuits
which after two years he was COM
PEELED to abandon on account of his
wound. He then engaged in teaching
school in this county and was thus en-
lployed until 1875, when he took up the
study of law. In August of that year
he was admitted to the bar and was
soon afterwards associated in partner
ship with his brother, the style of the
firm being Coen & Coen, having their
office in Abba. They operated togeth-
er until February, 1881, when deceased
came to Ottumwa, where he managed
an office alone for the following three
years.
He then associated himself with
Charles Hall, at present police judge
in this city, in the fall of 1884. This
partnership continued until 1886, when
the firm was dissolved, Mr.. Coen en-
'gaging in the practice of the law alone
until the year 1889, when he formed
a partnership with Sumner Siberell.
The firm of Coen & Siberell engaged
in the practice of the profession until
June, 1898, when the junior partner
of the firm, who in the meantime had
been, elected to the position of county
attorney, found that the duties of his
official position would not permit him
to give that time and attention to the
firm business that it demanded. A :
eordingly the partnership was dissolv-
ed and Mr.. Coen conducted his extern
sive law business alone until last No
vember, when John w. Lewis was talk
| en- into the firm.
In 1884 Mr.. Coen was appointed city
clerk by the city council and served
one year. Some time prior to this and
during the time when a district attor.
ney attended TO the affairs of several
counties, instead of an attorney Tor
each county, as at present, Mr.. Coen
was appointed county attorney by the
board of supervisors. Soon after the
present bankrupt law went into effect
Nj. Coen was appointed referee FOR
this district, which position he held un.
| MI Iac+ Noyan,her uhen failipr 1,eoJti,