Coleman, Frank

COLEMAN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 16:01:29

Frank Coleman

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.504)
FRANK COLEMAN is another one of the representative citizens of Washington Township, Pottawattamie County. He was born in Tolland County, Connecticut, twenty miles east of Hartford, in 1841, son of Timothy COLEMAN, a native of New England, and Laura (HUNT) COLEMAN, who was born in Connecticut, of an old family of that State.

When Frank was fourteen years old his father moved to Kansas and settled near Lawrence. That city then contained two shanties and one tent, the latter being 100 feet long and used as a hotel. Border ruffians were plenty in those days in Kansas, and when Mr. COLEMAN was ordered to leave or suffer the consequences he chose the former. Going East, he settled in Macoupin County, Illinois, near Bunker Hill. On a farm at that place Frank grew to manhood. Previous to their going West he had learned the hatter trade, at which he worked from the age of seven until he was fourteen. His mother died in Illinois, at the age of sixty-five years. His father passed away in St. Louis, at the age of seventy-five, while traveling in pursuit of health. He was a farmer the greater part of his life. In politics he was a Whig, and later, an Abolitionist. To him and his wife eleven sons were born, seven of whom grew to manhood. The subject of this sketch lived in Illinois until 1871, when he came to Mills County, Iowa, residing there two years. In 1873 he came to Pottawattamie County and for some time made his home in Macedonia Township. Then he moved to James Township, where he lived two years and improved two farms. His next move was to Washington Township. Here he purchased eighty acres of land in section 14, in 1881, and has made many improvements on the same. The whole farm is in a flourishing condition. His comfortable cottage home is surrounded by a grove and orchard of three acres, and all of his out-buildings show thrift and prosperity.

Mr. COLEMAN was married, March 14, 1876, at Macedonia, Iowa, to Miss Mary WILLSON, a lady of culture and refinement, who was born in Cass County, Iowa, near Lewis. Her father, Kirby WILLSON, who was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, and her mother, Julia A. (BARTLES) WILLSON, a native of Fulton County, Illinois, now reside near Charter Oak, Crawford County, Iowa. Mrs. COLEMAN was nine years old when they went to Mills County, Iowa, where she was reared and educated. To Mr. and Mrs. COLEMAN seven children have been born, namely: Ella Grace, Frederick H., Bertie and Gertrude (twins), Timothy, Hobert and Roy. Mr. COLEMAN's political views are in harmony with Republican principles. Mrs. COLEMAN is a worthy member of the Evangelical Church. A man in the prime of life, intelligent and well informed on all general topics, frank and cordial in his manner toward all with whom he comes in contact, Mr. COLEMAN is regarded as a desirable acquisition to his community. He has served the public as Township Trustee and as a member of the School Board.