Bennett B. Coleman

    In early life accustomed to the hard work which sharpens the mind and develops the boy, Bennett B. Coleman grew up in an agricultural neighborhood, and when he came to the time to make a decision regarding his life work, finally selected that of tilling the soil. In the years that followed he had no reason to regret of his choice, for he arose to a substantial position among the farmers of Grant County, and now, in the evening of life, is able to enjoy the comforts of a handsome home and congenial surroundings, content in the knowledge of a well-spent and useful life.

    Bennett B. Coleman, was born in Wayne County, North Carolina, December 11, 1827, and is a son of Elias and Sallie (Peelle) Coleman, natives of that State, who came as pioneers to Indiana. The grandparents on both sides were born in the Old North State, were of English descent and Quakers, a faith to which the family has always belonged. Elias Coleman was born November 25, 1798, and was a youth of eighteen years when with another young man he came on a single horse, the lads taking turns in riding and walking, and thus covering the distance from North Carolina to the Arley Quaker settlement, the newly opened region of the wilds of Randolph County. There he remained for some time, looking over the land and preparing for his future, and when he had his arrangements complete returned to North Carolina and was married under the rules and discipline of the Quaker Church to Sallie, the daughter of Willis and Betsey Peelle, who had been born in 1791. They were married in the Contentnea Meeting House and continued to reside in North Carolina until after the birth of four children:

  1. Edith, who died in North Carolina.

  2. Harriet

  3. Nathan

  4. Bennett B.

    In the summer of 1828 the little family started out for Indiana, Mr. Coleman hiring a man with a horse and wagon to take the family effects over the mountains northwest to Randolph County, to be paid for by the pound which the expressage weighted. There were three other men in the party beside the senior, Mr. Coleman, and in addition Mrs. Coleman carried her seven-months old baby, Bennett B., in her arms and over all the mountains save one. This journey consumed some weeks, and when the little party arrived, Mr. Coleman found that when he had paid for the trip at the rate of one dollar per pound, he would have about ten dollars left with which to make a start in the new community. He was a blacksmith by trade, but at once commenced to engaged in agricultural pursuits and his energy, thrift and indomitable perseverance enabled him to succeed in his undertakings. He resided in Randolph County, Indiana until 1833, at which time he moved to Newport, now Fountain City, in Wayne County, Indiana, and, in partnership with Joel Parker was engaged in the manufacture of wagons for a time. Later he became interested in merchandising in Wayne County, and in 1848 came to Grant county, located at Jonesboro, and became a merchant. This place was then but a small hamlet, boasting of a tanner, a carding mill, a sawmill and a flouring mill, with a scattering of small houses. Mr. Coleman, with excellent ability, soon built up a handsome trade, assisted by his stalwart son, Bennett b, then a man of twenty-one years. Here Elias Coleman was known as one of the town's substantial men for many years. His first wife died in the old cabin home now located next to the home of Bennett B. Coleman, in 1864, at the age of seventy years, and Mr. Coleman then married Mrs. Susan (Ellis) Coffin, who survived for some years. Both passed away in Marion, Mr. Coleman in October, 1890, and she several years later, when seventy years of age. They were all members of the Friends Society, but although bitterly opposed to war, were strong anti-slavery people, and expressed their opinion on the subject whenever opportunity offered. After coming to Indiana, there were two children born to Elias Coleman and his first wife: Jesse, who died young; and Mary, who married Enoch P. Small and died advanced in years in Wabash County, this State.

    Of the children born to Elias Coleman, Bennett B. is the only survivor. He grew up largely in Wayne County, where he was given the educational advantages to be secured in the primitive schools, and was about twenty-one years of age when he came to Jonesboro. For some time he was associated with his father in conducting the general store, but subsequently adopted agricultural work in Franklin Township, a section which at that time was still practically in its virgin state. there both he and his father killed numerous deer, especially on what was known as Deer Creek. Mr. Coleman inherited much of his father's industry and energetic nature, and set about to make a home for himself in the wilderness. His good management and persistent labor brought its reward, and when he disposed of his land in 1861 he was able to realize a handsome profit. In the fall of that year he returned to Jonesboro, and here purchased sixty acres of land, the greater part of which is now included within the corporation limits of the city, and to this he added from time to time until he had over 100 acres. When the Indiana Rubber and Insulated Wire Company decided to place its plant here, Mr. Coleman's land was found to be included in the property selected, and he accordingly disposed of ninety-five acres in 1893, although he still retains sever choice lots and has a handsome home. Mr. Coleman is now passing his declining years in peaceful rest. In spite of the fact that he has passed his eighty-sixth birthday, he is still active in body and alert in min, in full possession of his faculties and able to read without glasses. Although retired from active pursuits, he takes a keen interest in the events that go to make history, and to matters that directly affect the welfare of his community or its people. Mr. Coleman has had the privilege of seeing great changes take place and a great development effected in Grant County, and has played no small part in the growth and advancement himself. He has been a life-long Republican, casting his first vote for Hale and his next two votes for Lincoln. He was formerly a Quaker, a member of the Anti-Slavery branch of that denomination, but for many years he has been a Presbyterian.

    Mr. Coleman was married first to Sarah Shuggart, who was born in Wayne County, Indiana, in 1829, married in 1849, and died September 4, 1861, in the faith of the Friends, Church. She was the mother of four children:

  1. Emma C., who married E. . Whitson, M. D., who died at Jonesboro, November 7, 1905, was a soldier for three years in the Civil War as a private of the 101st Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry., later studied and practiced medicine until his death, had tow children by his first marriage, one of whom is a prominent educator, and is survived by his second wife, who is a resident of Jonesboro.

  2. William H., a sketch of whose career will be found on another page of this work.

  3. Isadora, who died at the age of six years

  4. Lillian, who died single as a young lady of twenty-two years.

    Mr. Coleman's second marriage was to Miss Anna Wilson of Ohio, who met an accidental death in 1880 when attacked by a maddened bull. She left on daughter, Ida, the wife of William Weddington, now living in New Mexico, and the mother of seven children, of whom six are living. Mr. Coleman was married (third) at Crayton, Indiana, in August, 1883, to Mrs. Anna Martin, nee Hartsock, who was born in Indiana, February 16, 1843. She had two children by her former marriage to James Martin, deceased, Josephine and Lew Wallace, both of whom died young. Mr. Coleman is now a member of the Presbyterian Church and Mrs. Coleman is a member of the Universalist Church at Anderson, Indiana.

Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.