John Coefield
American labor union leader
About John Coefield
Lived 1869 – 1940 (aged 70–71).
John Coefield (June 18, 1869 – February 8, 1940) was an American labor union leader.
Born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, Coefield completed an apprenticeship as a plumber. He worked in various cities before settling in San Francisco, where he joined the Plumbers', Gas Fitters', and Steam Fitters' Association. In 1903, this union affiliated to the United Association of Journeymen Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters, and Steam Fitters' Helpers of the United States and Canada (UA).
In 1907, Coefield became business agent of the San Francisco Building Trades Council, and vice president of the California Building Trades Council. He became a vice-president of the UA in 1911, and then in 1919 became its president, relocating to Chicago. From 1920, he was also a vice-president of the Metal Trades Department, and in 1929, he became a vice-president of the American Federation of Labor.
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Important facts
People in John Coefield's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Coefield?
American labor union leader
When was John Coefield born?
John Coefield was born in 1869.
When did John Coefield die?
John Coefield died in 1940.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Coefield. https://biography.guide/john-coefield/
MLA: "John Coefield." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-coefield/.
Chicago: "John Coefield." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-coefield/.
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