El Dorado County
Biographies
WILLIAM H. COFFIN
Is a son of Henderson W. and Harriet (nee Kneer) Coffin. He was born in the town of Roscoe, Winnebago county, Illinois, May 27th, 1846. In a very early day his parents removed from Herkimer county, New York, to Winnebago county, and were among the first families there. William worked on his father’s farm till 1869, when he came to California, arriving at Sacramento October 20th. He worked on a farm at Shingle Springs for a short time. In 1870 he located his present home of 160 acres, and began improving it. He was married November 21st, 1875, to Lunetta Collins, a native of Horseshoe Bar, where she was born August 8th, 1858. They have three children, viz.: Henry H., Charles C. and Lola B. Mr. Coffin’s farm is well watered and productive of very large yields of grain. Mr. Coffin is a hard working and temperate man and has been successful in his pursuits.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 237
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
SAMUEL DENSMORE COLBURN
The subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Tunbridge, Orange county, Vermont, September 5, 1818, and is one of a family of seven children.
His father was Joseph Waud, mother Sallie (Densmore) Colburn, who are of English extraction and of the early families of Vermont. Samuel’s early life was spent on his father’s New England farm. In 1850 he came to California and engaged in mining at Rock Bar, thence at Coloma, then on the Middle Fork, Gold Hill, and in the fall of 1855 to Kelsey, when in a short time he took up his present ranch and planted the first fruit trees in the vicinity in 1857. He now has one of the largest and best of orchards, in which there are all kinds of fruit trees. On the 15th of June, 1871, he was married to Mrs. Annie Curtiss, and Samuel D., their son, was born May 25, 1876. A “Centennial” christening was given to him. His step-daughter’s name is Caddie Curtiss.
When Mr. Colburn was only 7 years old his father died, his mother married again, and in time the step-father also died, leaving Samuel D. and his mother in charge of a large family of small children. When he came to California he was without means, but through economy and habits of industry has accumulated a good property. He has served as schoolmaster for 20 years, constable 4 years and for one term as Justice of Peace.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 237
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler