Andrew Coleman

COLEMAN

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/7/2014 at 11:56:51

SUDDEN DEATH ANDREW COLEMAN DROPS DEAD AT THE WHEEL

He Suddenly expires in the Pilot House of the Artimus Lamb While Guiding the Boat Over the Rapids-A Pioneer Pilot and Citizen
Andrew Coleman, one of the veteran pilots on the upper Mississippi and who had a wide acquaintance among river men generally, dropped dead in the pilot house of the Artimus Lamb this morning. The lamb reached Rock Island from St. Louis last evening point with several barges in tow to and was on her way to a northern port to get a cargo of lumber. Mr. Coleman was taken aboard at Rock Island to guide the boat over the rapids and the start was made from there about 9 0’clock, when the steamer reached a point near the Moline chair about an hour later, Mr. Coleman suddenly sank to the floor in an unconscious condition. Capt. Skemp, of the Lamb, and the regular wheelman were in the pilot house at the time and instantly rushed to his assistance. They were unable to render him any aid, however, as death had come as peaceful as it was sudden. The barges were anchored and the boat returned to rock Island with the remains.

The sudden death of Andrew Coleman will be a shock to his numerous friends in this city and vicinity where he had lived nearly all his life. He was the son of Capt. Coleman, who settled in Rockingham in the 30’s when that town was a more thriving village than was the town of Davenport, Capt. Coleman had been engaged in steam boating on the Ohio and operated the old Caleb Cope on the Mississippi after his arrival here.

With his two brothers, Andrew Coleman entered the river business at an early age and after having been engaged on different boats in the Davenport and lower river trade entered the employ of the old Northern Packet Line. He was one of the leading pilots with this line and ran between St Louis and St. Paul . When fifteen years ago. Mr. Coleman became a rapids pilot, and since that time has continued to guide packets and towboats over the rapids between Davenport and Le Claire. His career on the river covered a period of forty years and it is said that the upper river was as open book to him.

He is survived by his wife and eight children, five of whom are grown. Three sons William, James and George, reside in this city and another, John, is a resident of O’Brien county. Three brothers also survive him-J.H. S. who resides near Gilbert, James and Egbert, who is engaged in the mining business in Nevada . The deceased was sixty-seven years of age.

Source: The Davenport Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 20 Apr 1895.

Capt. Andrew Coleman Born August 11, 1828 - Died April 20, 1895.