Cofflin, Robert F.

Born: 1811-11-06 Onondaga County, New York

Died: 1876-12-07 Christian County, Illinois

Flourished: Springfield, Illinois

Alternate name: Coflin

Cofflin's parents died when he was very young, so he took odd jobs in Onondaga County before training to be a blacksmith. In 1837, he moved to Springfield, Illinois. Cofflin married Charill S. Dorwin the following year, with whom he had twelve children. In 1849, he moved to California to follow the gold rush and remained there for two years before returning to Springfield. Cofflin moved to Christian County around 1853 and took up farming. Abraham Lincoln worked on several cases involving Cofflin; at least twice he retained Lincoln to represent him.

History of Christian County, Illinois (Philadelphia: Brink, McDonough, 1880), 170; Martha L. Benner and Cullom Davis, et al., The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln: Complete Documentary Edition, 2d edition (Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, 2009).