Background
Coghlan was born in Louisville, Kentucky and moved with his parents to Illinois in 1847, and again in 1850 to California during the California Gold Rush, where they settled in Suisun City.
Coghlan was born in Louisville, Kentucky and moved with his parents to Illinois in 1847, and again in 1850 to California during the California Gold Rush, where they settled in Suisun City.
Coghlan studied law and was admitted to the bar and practiced in Suisun City. He was elected as a Republican to the 42nd Congress (1871–1873), but lost his bid for reelection in 1872. He practiced law in Oakland, California until his death in 1879.
He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery.
He was a member of the California State Assembly from 1865 to 1867, representing Napa and Lake counties.
