E. P. Coats, who is now living retired at Delaware, was successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits in this county throughout his active business career, coming here with his parents six decades ago. His birth occurred in Chenango county, New York, on the 10th of June, 1844, his parents being Alford and Susan (Benson) Coats, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. In 1854 they came to Delaware county, Iowa, taking up their abode on a farm in Delaware township which they purchased for a dollar and a quarter per acre. Here they made their home throughout the remainder of their lives, becoming widely recognized as substantial and esteemed residents of the community. They were the parents of six children, two of whom survive, namely: E. P., of this review; and Mary, who is the wife of Henry Huehl of Sac county, Iowa.
      E. P. Coats, who was a lad of ten years when he came to this county with his parents, acquired his education in the common schools and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he was employed by the month as a farm hand for seven years and on the expiration of that period purchased a farm in Delaware township, which he operated successfully throughout the remainder of his active business career. On disposing of the property he took up his abode in the town of Delaware and is now spending the evening of life in well earned ease. He still owns six hundred and forty acres of timber land in Mississippi and one hundred and sixty acres of land in South Dakota.
     Mr. Coats has been married twice. In 1869 he wedded Miss Eliza Heathington, by whom he had four children, two of whom are yet living, as follows: Sadie, who gave her hand in marriage to Lew Coon; and Charles, a resident of Minnesota. The wife and mother passed away on the 13th of April, 1876, and in 1881 Mr. Coats was again married, his second union being with Miss Carrie Funk, who was born in Delaware county, Iowa, in 1862. Her parents, Joseph and Mary (Sickels) Funk, were both natives of Pennsylvania arid came to Iowa in 1854, settling on a farm near Colesburg, this county, whereon they spent the remainder of their lives. Their family numbered nine children, four of whom survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Coats have been born six children, namely: Ernest L., who is now a resident of South Dakota; Frank A., whose home was in Delaware county and who was accidentally killed August 30, 1914; Harry L., who is deceased; one who died in infancy; Ruth E., the wife of Edwin Malmgren; and Izora May, at home.
     In politics Mr. Coats is a democrat, and in the office of school director he has labored effectively to promote the interests of education. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs. They are consistent and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. Mr. Coates is now seventy years of age, and his life has been one in which fidelity to principle has combined with business enterprise to make him a valued and worthy citizen.