New Britain herald., 1920-03-13
Was Direct Descendant of John and Priscilla Alden
 of Old Plymouth Colony.
BAR ASSOCIATION I
 WILL TAKE ACTION

Judge John Coats passed away early this morning at his home at fl Vine street, following an illness of several months duration. The passing of Judge Coats is felt deeply by his many local friends and by his bar as 1 sociates throughout the state AL though nearly 7S years of age Judge Goats, up to the time that his sick ness became critical, was active in legal affairs in the city and state and held the position of referee In the court of common pleas. Judge Coats was also judge of probate for six years. .t..s
 Descendant of Pilgrims
 He was born May 9, 1S42 in North Stonington, Conn, and in both pa- terna1 and maternal lines is descended from pioneer settlers of that town. His mother was Anna Gray, daugh- ter of Edward and Elizabeth (Pea- body) Gray of the same locality. the old homesteads of the Coats, Grays and Peabodys being adjacent prop critics. Through Elizabeth Peabody he can trace his ancestry to John and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden, of May flower fame, upon whose romantic history Longfellow based his poem, 'The Courtship of Miles Standish."
 Of Military Family.
 His father, Ansel Coats. was a nler- chant in North Stonington, Conn, and later engaged in manufacturing in Great Harrington, Mass, He was captain in militia and during the war of 1912 participated in the defense of StoninSton. John Coats, whose death is now mourned by the city vas the youngest member of the family.
 Was Yale Graduate.
 Hon. John Coats received his early education in the common and private schools of North Stonington, and at the Connecticut Literary Institute, Suffield, he completed college pre- paratory course. He entered Yale college and was graduated from that university A. B. in 1868, receiving his A. M. in 1871. For year he taught school at the Connecticut Literary In- stitute, then read law in Hartford and at the Columbia college where he graduated LL.B. in 1871 and was admitted to the Hartford bar in the same year. ~
 High School Principal
 In 1871. the year of the great ire in Chicago, Judge Coats was located in that (city. He returned to Connec- ticut in 1872 to become principal of the Hazardv;lle High school & posi- ton he .relinquished after about year, to become vice principal and 3nstructor in Latin at the Sufffeld school. Here he remained until 1877 gwhen he entered upon his duties as Fprincipal of the High school at Windsor Locks. In the same year he Rendered his resignation to the board of education and took up his law practice in that city. Four years later he removed his office to New Britain, where he built up lucra- tive practice in a short time.
 Fought in Civil War.
 g. The deceased was & member of company G, 22nd Connecticut Volun- teer Infantry and was honorably dis charged in June, 1863, after nine ,,months' service. He became iden- tified with Stanley Post, G. A. R., and was prominent in the activities of that branch of the organiza ton. His other fraternal affiliations were many and he was very active in these lines. Religious works occupied a consider able portion of the late judges time. He was a member of the Windsor Locks board of education for three years and was representative for Windsor Locks in the Connecticut General Assembly in 1884, serving on the judiciary committee.
 Active in City Affairs
 For several terms he was in the common council and served one term as assistant judge of the city and police court. In 1895 he was ap- pointed judge of the probate court. He was also town attorney. He was married June 2, 1871 to Josephine l.. Walker. daughter of Rev. William c. Walker Of Hartford. The couple had no children.
 F'raternaI Affiliations
 Fraternally Judge Coats was affii- ated with Harmony lodge of AMasons and Gidd.ngs Chapter, Royal and Select Masons. He was q mem Der Of the Baptist church and held the position of dea con for many years. He was at one time one of the officials of the Stanley Post c. A. R. and also a member of the Bar as- sociation.
 Has But. Few Relatives Judge Coats has but few living relatives, nephew, George Coats of North Stonington, and Arthur Walker. '-s fC0nfiI1ued ap Tbi,d D.,