Thomas Chalkley Coffin (October 25, 1887 – June 8, 1934) was an American lawyer and veteran of World War I who served part of one term as a congressman from Idaho. As a Democrat, he served in the U.S. House from 1933 until his death in 1934.
Thomas C. Coffin | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's 2nd district | |
| In office March 4, 1933 – June 8, 1934 | |
| Preceded by | Addison T. Smith |
| Succeeded by | D. Worth Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 25, 1887 Caldwell, Idaho Territory |
| Died | June 8, 1934 (aged 46) Washington, D.C., US |
| Resting place | Mountain View Cemetery Pocatello, Idaho, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Aileen Franklin Coffin (m. 1920)[1] |
| Children | Jeanne Coffin (1922-2014)[2] |
| Residence(s) | Pocatello, US |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | U.S. Navy |
| Years of service | 1918 |
| Rank | Petty officer, second class |
| Unit | Aviation |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Biography edit
Born in Caldwell, Idaho Territory, Coffin moved with his family to nearby Boise in 1898. He attended Boise High School and then transferred back east to Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. Coffin then entered Yale University's Sheffield Scientific School, where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall, and was graduated from the law department of Yale University in 1910.[1]
Early career edit
He was admitted to the bar in 1911 and was a deputy county attorney for Ada County in Boise and in 1913 became an assistant attorney general of Idaho. Coffin relocated east across the state to Pocatello in December 1915 and went into private practice.
World War I edit
He served in the U.S. Navy in World War I as a Petty officer, second class in the aviation division.
Congress and death in office edit
Coffin was elected mayor of Pocatello in 1931 and ran for Congress in the 2nd district in 1932. In the Democratic landslide, he defeated the ten-term Republican incumbent, Addison T. Smith.[1]
Only fifteen months into his first term, Coffin was struck by a motorist on a driveway in the south grounds of the U.S. Capitol on June 4, 1934, and suffered a fractured skull.[3] He died four days later at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C.,[1] and was buried on June 14 in Pocatello.[4]
Electoral results edit
| Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Thomas Coffin | 58,138 | 55.0% | Addison Smith (inc.) | 46,273 | 43.8% | William Goold | Liberty | 1,201 | 1.1% |
Source:[5]
See also edit
References edit
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- ^ a b c d "Representative Coffin dies Friday at Capitol". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. June 9, 1934. p. 1.
- ^ "Coffin funeral plans not made". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. June 9, 1934. p. 2.
- ^ "Struck by auto". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. June 6, 1934. p. 1.
- ^ "Thomas Coffin rites are held". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. June 14, 1934. p. 1.
- ^ "Office of the Clerk: Election statistics". U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
External links edit
- United States Congress. "COFFIN, Thomas Chalkley (id: C000592)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The Political Graveyard – Thomas C. Coffin
- Thomas C. Coffin at Find a Grave