W. O. COFIELD, a representative of the lime interests of Piqua and a dealer in stone, coal, and cement, with quarters at No. 817 South Main Street, has been a resident of this city for more than twenty years and has been very active in its business affairs. He was born at Casstown, Miami County, Ohio, in 1859, and is a son of Levi Cofield. The father of Mr. Cofield was a lime manufacturer, and during the first six years of the latter's life the family home was near Sulphur Grove, Montgomery County, and after that in Kirkwood, Shelby County. Mr. Cofield thus grew up in the business, and after coming to Piqua, in 1887, he continued in this line and shortly afterward began the manufacture of marble dust, being the pioneer in this industry in this section. Subsequently he sold his plant to the Ohio Marble Company, but he has continued the manufacture of lime and does a large business also in handling lime, cement and all kinds of contractor's supplies.

Ground is now being broken for the erection of a plant for the manufacture of all stone products, from flues for steel furnaces to the finest marble floor, the company to be known as The Stone Product Company, and the works to be under the management of Mr. Cofield. The new company is incorporated for $50,000, the principal stockholders being prominent business men of Findlay and Piqua. The company will control at least three modern crushers for the crushing plant, and for their marble flour depart ment will establish enough machines to give them possibly the largest capacity of any like plant in the country. Several thousand dollars worth of railroad switch work will be put in and accommodations provided for about forty cars. The main building for the manufacture of marble flour will be 50 x 200 feet; that of the crushing plant, 55 x 75 feet. The buildings will be frame, with the exception of the engine-room, which will be of concrete. The quarries cover sixty-five acres and the material is available for many uses. The new concern will be one of the big manufacturing enterprises of Piqua.

As a good citizen Mr. Cofield has never ignored the calls made on his time or purse and has willingly done his part to advance the general welfare. In 1882 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Davis, of Shelby County, Ohio, and they have three children: L. M..; Rowena Elmira, who is the wife of W. R. Snyder, of Troy; and Bonnie Ethel, who resides at home. Mr. Cofield and family are members of the Church of Christ.