Michael J. Coffey

Michael J. Coffey (1897)

Michael J. Coffey (c. 1840 County Cork, Ireland – March 22, 1907 Brooklyn, New York City) was an American politician from New York.

Life

The family emigrated to the United States when Michael was still a child, and settled in Brooklyn. He attended the public schools, and then became a ship caulker, and later a contractor. During the American Civil War, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Monticello from 1861 to 1864, and fought in the battles of Fort Hatteras and Fort Fisher.

Coffey was an Alderman of Brooklyn from 1868 to 1872; and a member of the New York State Assembly (Kings Co., 3rd D.) in 1874, 1875 and 1876.

He was again a member of the State Assembly (Kings Co., 5th D.) in 1884 and 1885; again an Alderman of Brooklyn from 1886 to 1893; and President of the Board of Aldermen of Brooklyn from 1892 to 1893.

He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1894 to 1900, sitting in the 117th, 118th (both 2nd D.), 119th, 120th, 121st, 122nd and 123rd New York State Legislatures (all five 5th D.).

He died on March 22, 1907, in the Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, a few weeks after undergoing a surgical operation.

Sources

• The New York Red Book compiled by Edgar L. Murlin (published by James B. Lyon, Albany NY, 1897; pg. 404, 495ff and 503f)
• Life Sketches of Government Officers and Members of the Legislature of the State of New York in 1875 by W. H. McElroy and Alexander McBride (pg. 163) [gives birth year 1843]
• Sketches of the members of the Legislature in The Evening Journal Almanac (1895; pg. 48) [gives birth year 1842]
• EX-SENATOR COFFEY DEAD IN BROOKLYN in NYT on March 23, 1907 [states "was born 68 years ago", placing his birth in 1838 or 1839]