Coleman - William R. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The business man who rises above his fellows does so by taking advantage of conditions which others overlook or fail to grasp. This has been very largely the case with William R. Coleman. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship he is a worthy example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence in the circles in which he moves. His career has been characterized by duty well performed, by faithfulness to every trust reposed in him, by industry, thrift, and wisely directed efforts, which has resulted in the accumulation of a comfortable share of this world's goods, besides earning a reputation which has never been clouded by the commission of unworthy acts. Mr. Coleman was born in Union township, Montgomery county, on September 7, 1869. He is a son of Henderson J. and Deborah (Edwards) Coleman. The father was born in Scott county, Indiana, January 14, 1829, a son of John and Mary (Jacobs) Coleman. His parents came to Scott county from Franklin county, Indiana, and lived there until 1833 when they came to Montgomery county, locating in Union township, where they spent the rest of their lives on a farm, the father dying in April, 1874 at the age of sixty-eight years. Henderson J. Coleman received a good common school education, and he began life for himself by teaching school. He enjoyed the distinction of being the champion penman of his county. Later he turned his attention to farming which he continued through life with success, also studied to be a veterinary physician, and he practiced for a period of twenty-five years, becoming one of the best known veterinaries in this section of the state. It was his custom to buy diseased and disabled horses and cure them, selling them for handsome profits. In 1880 he gave up his farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres and devoted all his time and attention to veterinary work. He had the confidence of all the farmers for he did his work well and conscientiously. He was a Republican, and fraternally was a Mason. His death occurred in 1905. He and Deborah Edwards were married in Montgomery county on September 16, 1856. She was born on March 6, 1833 and is still living, making her home with the subject of this sketch. William R. Coleman, well known druggist of Crawfordsville, was educated in the common schools of his native county and he spent two years in Wabash College. He finished his education as a pharmacist in Chicago, graduating there in 1891. He returned to Crawfordsville and worked for Smith & Myers, later worked as clerk in drug stores in Cincinnati and Indianapolis, for a few years, then returned to Crawfordsville, and worked for R.C. Smith, later for J.H. Whitneck. In 1898 he began the drug business in Crawfordsville for himself on North Green street, remaining there three years, then purchased his present place in the Crawford Hotel block, in 1901, and has since successfully conducted the same, enjoying a large and ever growing trade with the city and surrounding country, always keeping a large and carefully selected stock of modern drugs and drug sundries, his store being a neat, attractive and well kept one. In 1904 he associated with the United Drug Company, manufacturers of the Rexall remedies. He carries a large line of the same, in connection with a full stock of prescription drugs and patent medicines. Fraternally, Mr. Coleman is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Council, also the Improved Order of Red Men, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, also Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he is a Progressive, and in religious matters a Baptist. Mr. Coleman was married in November, 1893 to Mabel Smith, a Native of Kentucky, and after a brief and happy married life, she was called to her rest in the spring of 1904. The website management appreciates all the contributions provided for use here. - typed by kbz