Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1905 — OBITUARY OF ERNEST COEN [ARTICLE]

OBITUARY OF ERNEST COEN

Altus, Okla., Times: James Ernest Coen, betterknown as “Pete”. Coen, was born in Rensselaer, Ind., on March 11, 1877. He attended the country schools of his neighborhood, receiving a common school education, afterward learning the trade of a carpenter. He was the youngest son of Hugh and Mary Coen, and was one of a family of five brothers and two sisters. In 1891 the family left Indiana and went to Ft. Worth, Texas, where the father died. In 1892 they came to Altus, and purchased a farm four miles north of town.

About three years ago the family moved to town where Pete went into the real estate, loan and insurance business. A year la..er he was appointed United States Commissioner by Judge, Irwin, and did a large business in taking final proofs of homesteaders and other land matters. Last spring he resigned and sold out his business, going back to his trade of carpenter. Mr. Coen was taken ill with pleurisy about six weeks ago. He was in bed a week, but got up too soon: for after being out two days he was again taken down with typhoid-pneumonia, which resulted in his death. From the first it was seen that he was dangerously ill, and though every means was employed to save his life the disease triumphed in the end.

Mr. Coen was one of the most popular young men in the town. He was exceedingly obliging arid accomodating, and would go far enough out of his way to render a favor. He had a natural aptitude for mechanics and as a carpenter and mechanic was far above the average. He was a Knight of Pythias and an Odd Fellow, and carried a $5,000 policy in the Mutual Lite. Funeral services were held at his late home Friday morning by Rev. J. R. Millen, the Odd Fellows escorting the remains and conductings the services at the grave. The members of Mr. Coen’s family desire to extend their sincere thanks for the kindnesses of many friends during their bereavement especially to the Odd Fellows who gave their deceased brother every aid and comfort to the end.