[2] While serving, "[h]e carried a copy of Blackstone's Commentaries with him",[1] and "studied while halting on a march and read at night by the light of the campfires".
[1] On March 25, 1881, Governor Porter appointed Coffey to a seat on the Indiana Circuit Court, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Turman.
[2] In June of the following year, Coffey "was nominated by acclamation to continue the position of circuit judge", serving until his election to the Indiana Supreme Court in 1888.
[2] Coffey retired from the bench in 1895, returning to private practice in Brazil, Indiana, in partnership with Judge McGregor, until his death.
[2] Coffey married Caroline Byles, from a Pennsylvania family, with whom he had six children, of whom three daughters and one son lived.