Benjamin J. Coate, deceased, was one of the prominent citizens of Newton Township, and a son of Jesse, and grandson of Marmaduke Coate; he was born in 1813, in Darke Co. He was married in 1835, to Mary Jones, a daughter of John, and granddaughter of Wallace Jones. Wallace Jones emigrated from South Carolina to this State, at an early day, with his family of four sons and two daughters; he settled near West Milton, where he and wife passed the remainder of their lives. John Jones was the second child of this family, and was born Nov. 21, 1797; he had no early educational opportunities, but after he had grown to years of maturity, he procured a spelling-book, and while working in the shop (being a smith by trade), would learn with book in one hand, while blowing the bellows with the other, and in this way was soon able to read his Bible. Such a will as this always wins, and we are not surprised to soon find him a prominent minister in the Friends' Church; in this capacity he became an efficient worker, traveling through many parts of the United States; he departed this life in Eastham, Iowa the 5th day of the 8th month, 1877, at the advanced age of nearly 80 years; his wife still survives at the age of nearly 80 years. John Jones had a family of six sons and four daughters, of whom Mrs. Coate was the oldest. Benjamin J. Coate moved on Sec. 27, Newton Township, in 1836, where he passed the remainder of his earthly career, his death occurring Sept. 19, 1870. He was reared in the Friends' Church, of which he and wife were consistent members. Seven sons and six daughters were the issue of this union, all living to maturity but one - Josias, the third son, died in the fall of 1864, at Camberland Gap, Tenn., while in his country's service. He was a member of the 86th O.V.I., C.K.