Individual Details
Samuel Couffer
(9 Mar 1838 - 3 May 1916)
He "attended the public schools of Dauphin county and one at Harrisburg known as the 'Old Presbyterian School.' At an early age he lost his mother and then went to live with his sister, Mrs. Fisher. When but eleven years of age he began to earn his own living. He began as driver on the tow path of the old Pennsylvania canal and then was bowman on board. At the age of sixteen he had progressed so rapidly that he was made captain, and ran in command for about eighteen years, from Montoursville and Milton, Pennsylvania, to eastern cities. For about twelve years -- 1864-76 -- Mr. Couffer was engaged in stone quarrying and was in charge of the Bumbaugh quarries near Steelton. In 1876 he embarked in his own name in the coal and ice business at Steelton, conducting a successful trade. The coal business he still retains. In 1881 he built the Couffer House in Steelton, which he rented to John Stober, who conducted it for nine years. Mr. Couffer then took the management of the hotel in his own hands and conducted it very successfully for eleven years. then disposing of it to Edward Sheesley, the present proprietor, in recognition of his faithful services while in his employ.
"Mr. Couffer is prominently identified with other of Steelton's business interests. He was the organizer of the Steelton Light, Heat & Power Company; he retains his interests in this company, of which he is president. He is president of the Steelton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, incorporated March 25, 1903. Four of the first successful building loan associations formed in Steelton, three of which have successfully closed out, Mr. Couffer was instrumental in starting. He was treasurer of the Citizens', the Felton and the Steel Workers' Association, and is treasurer of the present association, the Steelton Building and Loan. For the past eight years he has been a director of the Steelton National Bank. In all these enterprises Mr. Couffer's sound business sagacity contributed largely to their success. He lives not for himself alone, but always has a helping hand for those less fortunate than he, while his genial disposition and unfailing good nature makes him a friend of all. Politically Mr. Couffer is a Democrat, but party obligation rests lightly on his shoulders, and his vote is often recorded for a friend on the other side. He was the third burgess of the borough of Steelton, and materially aided the city in her earlier days. Fraternally Mr. Couffer is a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, Free and Accepted Masons, of Harrisburg, and is past sachem of Paxtang Tribe, No. 243, Improved Order of Red Men, of Steelton."
Events
| Birth | 9 Mar 1838 | Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States |  | ||
| Census | 1850 | Upper Swatara Township, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States |  | | |
| Marriage | 3 Jan 1860 | Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States - Elizabeth Martin | | ||
| Census | 1870 | Upper Swatara Township, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States | | | |
| Census | 1880 | Steelton, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States | | | |
| Living | 1883 | Steelton, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States | | ||
| Census | 1900 | Steelton, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States | | | |
| Living | 18 May 1904 | | | ||
| Census | 1910 | Steelton, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States | | | |
| Death | 3 May 1916 | Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States | |||
| Burial | Steelton, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States |
Families
| Spouse | Elizabeth Martin (1841 - ) |
| Child | Katie B. Couffer ( - 1862) |
| Child | Charles M. Couffer (1862 - ) |
| Child | Estella A. Couffer (1862 - 1862) |
| Child | Nora Couffer (1865 - 1865) |
| Child | George B. McClellan Couffer ( - 1868) |
| Child | Amanda E. Couffer (1868 - 1869) |
| Child | Samuel S. Couffer (1871 - ) |
| Child | Franklin M. Couffer (1877 - 1891) |
| Child | Carrie E. Couffer (1880 - 1899) |
| Father | William Couffer (1808 - 1883) |
| Mother | Katherine Sonnon (1808 - 1853) |
| Sibling | Wlliam Couffer (1835 - ) |
| Sibling | Living |
| Sibling | Katherine Couffer (1831 - 1856) |
Notes
Census
His occupation is given as laborer.Census
His occupation is given as lime burner and his personal estate is valued at $2,000.Census
His occupation is given as coal dealer.Census
His occupation is given as hotel keeper. He owns a home.Living
Newspaper account says Samuel Couffer was proprietor of the Couffer House and president of the Steelton Light, Heat and Power Company.Census
His occupation is given as "own income." He owns a home free of mortgage.Endnotes
1. John Attick household, 1860 U.S. census, Upper Swatara Twp., Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, Harrisburg P.O., page 676, household 1310, family 1385; ancestry.com image of National Archives microfilm publication M-653, Reel 1104..
2. Samuel Couffer household, 1870 U.S. census, Upper Swatara Twp., Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, Hummelstown P.O., page 689, household 112, family 128; ancestry.com image of National Archives microfilm publication M-593, Reel 1335..
3. Samuel Couffer household, 1880 U.S. census, Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, E.D. 115, page 209D, household 272, family 272; ancestry.com image of National Archives microfilm publication T-9, Reel 1124..
4. Samuel Couffer household, 1900 U.S. census, Steelton 3rd Ward, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, E.D. 102, page 91, household 32, family 34; heritagequestonline.com image of National Archives microfilm publication T-623, Reel 1403..
5. Samuel Couffer household, 1910 U.S. census, 256 N. Front St., Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, E.D. 122, page 91, household 16, family 16; heritagequestonline.com image of National Archives microfilm publication T-624, Reel 1338..
6. Luther Reily Kelker, History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Publishing, 1907. Online at http://books.google.com), 419-421.
7. John Attick household, 1860 U.S. census, Upper Swatara Twp., Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, Harrisburg P.O., page 676, household 1310, family 1385; ancestry.com image of National Archives microfilm publication M-653, Reel 1104..
8. Charles Blanchard, editor, Counties of Howard and Tipton, Indiana (Chicago: F. A. Battey, 1883), p. 495.
9. Samuel Couffer household, 1870 U.S. census, Upper Swatara Twp., Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, Hummelstown P.O., page 689, household 112, family 128; ancestry.com image of National Archives microfilm publication M-593, Reel 1335..
10. Samuel Couffer household, 1880 U.S. census, Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, E.D. 115, page 209D, household 272, family 272; ancestry.com image of National Archives microfilm publication T-9, Reel 1124..
11. Samuel Couffer household, 1900 U.S. census, Steelton 3rd Ward, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, E.D. 102, page 91, household 32, family 34; heritagequestonline.com image of National Archives microfilm publication T-623, Reel 1403..
12. Samuel Couffer household, 1910 U.S. census, 256 N. Front St., Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, E.D. 122, page 91, household 16, family 16; heritagequestonline.com image of National Archives microfilm publication T-624, Reel 1338..
13. Luther Reily Kelker, History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Publishing, 1907. Online at http://books.google.com), 419-421.
14. Samuel Couffer household, 1870 U.S. census, Upper Swatara Twp., Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, Hummelstown P.O., page 689, household 112, family 128; ancestry.com image of National Archives microfilm publication M-593, Reel 1335..
15. Samuel Couffer household, 1880 U.S. census, Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, E.D. 115, page 209D, household 272, family 272; ancestry.com image of National Archives microfilm publication T-9, Reel 1124..
16. Charles Blanchard, editor, Counties of Howard and Tipton, Indiana (Chicago: F. A. Battey, 1883), p. 495.
17. Samuel Couffer household, 1900 U.S. census, Steelton 3rd Ward, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, E.D. 102, page 91, household 32, family 34; heritagequestonline.com image of National Archives microfilm publication T-623, Reel 1403..
18. "Lineman Electrocuted," news article, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Patriot, 18 May 1904, Death of Irvin Couffer; online image, GenealogyBank (http://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 4 March 2015).
19. Samuel Couffer household, 1910 U.S. census, 256 N. Front St., Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania, E.D. 122, page 91, household 16, family 16; heritagequestonline.com image of National Archives microfilm publication T-624, Reel 1338..