ARTHUR D. COFFIN
READF.RS of biography see much between the lines.. Very few men who have achieved success tell how they accomplished it. Some refrain through modesty and others find it hard to explain. All, however, remember that there was much effort, much competition, much advice, sought and unsought; and not a little worthy. Success may be compared to a valuable commod'ty in the market. It costs something to get either. The greater the aspiration the more work is involved in realizing it. A great American statesman once said that'college boys who spend study time on the grass or on the chains or on the fence are more than likely to do the same thing in later years for want of something better to do. Indeed the conduct of youthful days is almost invariably a tell-tale of the days to come and this statement is supported by the f dage "As you sow, so shall you reap." So what has been said about reading between the lines of biography may be understood by the reader. The unwritten lines would tell of patience, pluck, perservance, and, above all, upright living.
Arthur Dexter Coffin of Windsor Locks, the subject of the sketch, is one whose life has been of close application to business and he has become well-known throughout thle state, as manufacturer and financier. He was born in Windsor locks, April 25, 1868, and is, therefore in his forty-second year. He is the son of the late Herbert Raymond and Julia S. (Dexter) Coffin. He received his education in the common schools of his native town, the Hartford Public High School and the Philips' Academy of Andover. At the age of twenty he began work in the grist mill owned by C. H. Dexter & Sons and later took charge of the flour mills connected with his father's paper industry. To-day he is at the head of this great paper-making concern which numbers among its products the famous "Princess" Cover, known all over the world. Within the last few years the business has grown materially and there are mills at Windsor Locks and Suffield.
Mr. Coffin is president of the Connecticut Company at Windsor Locks, a trustee of the State Savings Bank and director of the Connecticut River Banking Company of Hartford; also a director of the Medlicott Cotnpay of .Windsor Locks. The latter company manufactures underwear on a large scale. Mr. Coffin is a member of the Nayassett Club, Farmington Country Club, Hartford Club, the Engineers' Club of New York and the Boston Athletic Association. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights Templar and Shriners. On April n, 1904, he married Cora Loomis Drake, from which union they have had two children, one of whom, Dexter Drake Coffin, is living. In politics he is a Republican and while not being an office-seeker, he takes a deep interest in all affairs of town and state.
The life of Mr. Coffin furnishes an object lesson to young men who are striving for success. It will be apparent that the good things have come to him because he had a definite object in view. His motto would seem to be "One thing at a time and that one thing well." Still a comparatively young man even bigger things may be expected of him. Without assumption he represents the noblest type of the indomitable, successful, high-minded man.
from the book: The conservative advocate: a book of biographies of Connecticut's successful ...
By Earl Leslie Chadwick.
BLESSED are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours ; and their works do follow them." On July 8, 1901, Herbert R. Coffin of Windsor Locks, well known throughout the State as a manufacturer and church man, departed this life, leaving the priceless legacy of a good name which will ever endure. That he was a man of great foresight, of unflinching courage, strong will, generous nature and determination of character, is known by all who knew him, and to the possession of these qualities he was indebted to a great extent for his uniform success in life. He had the rare faculty of inspiring both affection and respect in all with whom he came in contact and his financial success was commensurate with his intrinsic worth. No one who has lived in Hartford County during the last century bore a more enviable reputation or was held in higher esteem than he. His life presents a worthy example to the rising generation, affording a practical demonstration of what can be accomplished through concentrated effort.
Mr. Coffin was born in Rindge, New Hampshire, August 6, 1840, the son of George S. and Sarah (Scovell) Coffin. He was a descendant of the old Nantucket family of that name, and his antecedents were also those of Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin of the British Navy, who in 1826 visited the island and who, in memory of his ancestors established a school, endowing the same with a fund of ten thousand dollars. George S. Coffin, the father, was a native of Royalston, Mass., and at one time was extensively engaged in the manufacture of flannels at Ludlow, Vermont, and Winchendon, Mass. Later he conducted a profitable business in grading and scouring wool at Rindge, New Hampshire, and Windsor Locks. His death occurred at Winchendon in 1877. Herbert R. Coffin received his education in the public schools of Ludlow, the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, New Hampshire, and the Conference Academy of West Poultney, Vermont. He began his business career at the age of sixteen years as a clerk in the dry goods commission house of Upson, Tucker & Company, Boston. Three years later and for the next two years he was with W. F. Weld & Company of the same city. Then he joined his father in Rindge, where they established the firm of Herbert R. Coffin & Company to engage in the grading and scouring business. Two years later the firm removed to Windsor Locks, where Mr. Coffin sold out to his father in 1867. He entered the office of the Slar Paper Mills, established by C. H. Dexter, acting as clerk for one year and finally becoming sole proprietor of the business. He was a director of the Connecticut River Banking Company and the Medlicott Company; also Vice-President of the Connecticut River Water Company. He had years of experience in and mastered all details of the paper business and to his careful management is ascribed the wonderful development of the industry. Politically, Mr. Coffin was a Republican and although an active supporter of his party, he never sought office. For twenty-seven years he was a member of the Congregational Church and for twenty-two years acted as deacon. He was deeply devoted to religious matters and gave to them freely of his time and money. On December 4, 1866, he married Mrs. John Sargent Haskell, nee Dexter, daughter of the late C. H. Dexter, and they had three children, Arthur, Herbert R. Jr., and Grace Pierson Coffin. The sons are worthy successors of their father in business. In the words of Holy Writ, the good works of Herbert R. Coffin will follow him.
from the book: The conservative advocate: a book of biographies of Connecticut's successful ...
By Earl Leslie Chadwick.
ALLEN, Bennet Rowland; Hartford, Insurance Agent, Stock and Bond Broker, was born in Enfield, May 17, 1838, and was educated at E Hall's classical school in Ellington, Wm C Goldthwait's in Longmeadow, Mass, and at the Connecticut State Normal School in New Britain. He become a teacher in the Ellington school, which was one of the leading classical schools in Hartford county in its day.
Subsequently he is engaged in manufacturing business at Windsor Locks, remaining there from 1861 until 1868. A portion of the time he was the manager of the Medlicott mill, which was occupied through the was in the making knit goods for the soldiers' use. Afterwards he became a member of the firm of C H Dexter & Sons, Mr. Dexter, the founder of the company, being Mr. Allen's father-in-law, and engaged in the manufacture of manilla papers.
In 1868 he removed to Hartford and became the local manager of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, the Royal Insurance Company of England, and of the Pennsylvania Insurance Company of Philadelphia. In addition to the management of the local transactions of these companies, Mr. Allen is engaged in the business of a stock and bond broker. He is held in the highest esteem in business centres in this city, and is deserving in every way of the universal confidence felt in his ability.
He is prominently associated with Masonic interests, being a knight templar; is a member; also, of the Connecticut Society Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. Allen is a republican, politically, but has paid no attention to public office, having resolutely refrained through life from seeking public position. During the war he voluntarily sent a substitute into the service, and was thoroughly interested in the success of the Union cause. The business in which he was engaged at the time as manager of the Medlicott company made it of great importance that his service should be retained here. Mr. Allen is active and influential member of the Asylum Hill Congregational church. His family consists of a wife and son The former was Miss Annie Pierson Dexter of Windsor Locks prior to her marriage. The son occupies a responsible position in the Society for Savings on Pratt street.
Dexter produces specialty materials for customers in five strategic global markets: aerospace, automotive, electronics, food packaging and medical. Founded in 1767, The Dexter Corp., a Fortune 500 company, is the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Principal entities: Dexter Aerospace Materials, Dexter Automotive Materials, Dexter Electronic Materials, Dexter Magnetic Materials, Dexter Packaging Products, Dexter Nonwovens, Dexter S.A., Life Technologies Inc., D&S Plastics International.4
David L. Coffin of Sunapee, NH, Bloomfield, and Naples, FL, son of the late Dexter D . Coffin, Sr. and the late Elizabeth Dorr Coffin, passed away in Hartford, Saturday, (July 14, 2012). David was the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Dexter Corporation, Windsor Locks.
Born in Windsor Locks December 15, 1925, Coffin attended Trinity College (Hartford) and New England College (New Hampshire). He joined The Dexter Corporation in 1947 in the manufacturing department and was the seventh and last generation of the family to work in the business. He held various positions in sales and as general manager. In 1958, Coffin succeeded his father as president and CEO, becoming Chairman of the Board and CEO in 1966. Coffin was a member of the Dexter board of directors from 1948 until 1994. In 1975, Coffin took the title of Chairman and CEO, the position he held until 1990 at which time he retired as CEO, maintaining his position as Chairman of the Board. In 1993, Coffin retired from The Dexter Corporation as Chairman Emeritus.
Coffin had served on the boards of the American Red Cross (Hartford), the Bank of New England Corporation, Blu-Ray, Inc., Colby-Sawyer College, Connecticut Health Systems Agency, the Connecticut Historical Society, Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, N.A., Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Connecticut Water Company, The Dexter Corporation, Granitech, Inc., Hasbro, Inc., the Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall, The Institute of Living (Hartford), Kimball Union Academy, Life Technologies, Inc., the Manufacturers Association of Hartford County, Milton Bradley Company, Mystic Seaport Museum and Stores, the National Association of Manufacturers, New England Colleges Fund, The New England Council, Northeast Utilities, The Old State House (Hartford), Trinity College (Hartford), and the United Way of Greater Hartford.
Coffin was stationed in Naples, Italy while serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve in World War II and was awarded the Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal and the European Theatre Medal. He received honorary degrees from Trinity College and Colby-Sawyer College.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Marie Jeanne Cosnard des Closets Coffin of Sunapee, NH; daughter Deborah L. Coffin of Springfield, NH, son Robert G. Coffin of Canton; and four stepchildren: Henry Bissell of Atlanta, GA; Charles Bissell of Glastonbury; John Bissell of Marietta, GA; and Caroline d'Otreppe of Suffield. David was predeceased by his son David L. Coffin Jr. of Atlanta, and his brother Dexter D. Coffin Jr. of Hobe Sound, FL.
The Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Windsor Locks, 8 Main Street, Windsor Locks, followed by a service of Christian burial at Grove Cemetery with military honors. Arrangements are being handled by the Windsor Locks Funeral Home, 441 Spring Street, Windsor Locks, CT. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Antique Boat Museum, 750 Mary Street, Clayton, NY 13624. To leave an online condolence, please visit: www.windsorlocksfuneralhome.com.