From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

page 707

John Coleman was born in Pennslyvania in 1822 and removed when a child with his parents to Ohio. He made his uncle's house his home for several years and when eighteen years of age began working for farmers by the month. Subsequently was employed in various capacities till he had earned enough to buy forty acres of land. In 1852 he moved to St. Joseph County, Ind., and bought 100 acres of land which was partially improved. He made an addition of twenty acres to this farm but in August, 1863, sold it and moved to Steuben County, Ind., and bought 120 acres on the northwest quarter of section 15, Jackson Township, where he has since lived. About fifty acres had been cleared and a small frame house had been built. He now has 100 acres improved and in 1876 erected a fine two-story frame house at a cost of $1,500. He was married in Ohio to Sarah Whiteman, who died Aug. 11, 1868, leaving five children-- Ellen, Jane, Ida, Theadore and Evalena. Jan. 1, 1870, Mr. Coleman married Mrs. Ruth Maritte, a native of Richland County, Ohio, born in 1844, a daughter of Richard and Harriet Shields and widow of Lutelious Maritte. To them have been born four children-- Lettie, Eliza, Maud and Elga. Mrs. Coleman has two sons by her former marriage-- Alfred and Lutelious. Her father was born in England in 1795 and was there reared and married. Emigrated to America with his family and settled in Richland County, and in 1849 came to Steuben County and settled in Salem Township, where he died in 1858. His wife died in May, 1884.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com