Middletown Is Historical Part XII

In 1864, Vincent Coffin moved to College and Main St. in Middletown Connecticut. He was president of the Middlesex Mutual (Fire) Assurance Company from 1865 to 1878. He was secretary and treasurer of the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank of Middletown, and he held the same offices and that of director for several years in the old Air Line Railroad Company. From 1872 to 1874 he was mayor of Middletown. In 1875, he was president of the Middlesex County Agricultural Society. A member of the Connecticut Senate for the 22nd District, he served in 1887 and also in 1889. In 1894,
Coffin was nominated for governor and elected by the greatest majority recorded up to that time. During his term, a legislation was passed that prohibited the use of convict labor in the production of food, drugs, and tobacco products. Several other changes also took place. A state board of mediation and arbitration was instituted, and a bill was enacted that disallowed children under the age of 14 from working, and a bill was constituted that enabled a worker’s right to join a labor union.

Coffin left office on January 6, 1897, but stayed active in his business ventures, and in his civic and religious dealings. He received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Wesleyan University and is an honorary member of the college fraternity Delta Kappa Epsilon.

Enjoying shooting and fishing Coffin was for years president of the Middletown Rifle Association and he was vice-president of the Connecticut Rifle Association. He died on January 3, 1921, (age 84 years, 207 days), and is

interred at Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown, Connecticut:
College And Main St Today:

METRO SQUARE TODAY:
The Book Can Be Purchased At The Middlesex County Historical Society!
CLICK FOR: THE PREVIOUS MIDDLETOWN IS HISTORICAL ARTICLE FROM AMERICAN IMAGES!

Have a news tip? Email Bill Maune