John Coleman
John Coleman, of Youngsville, Ohio, was born November 7, 1816, near Cannonsburg, Pa., and resided there until March 27, 1831. His father, William Coleman, was born June 17, 1791, and died July 15, 1864. His mother was Jane Boyce, born August 10, 1787. They were married October 1, 1811. She died September 6, 1858. In March, 1831, William Coleman moved with his family to Carroll County, Ohio, where he remained until 1846, when he removed to near Youngsville, Adams County, where our subject now resides. When the war broke out, Robert Coleman, John's younger brother, who was married and had a family and with whom John resided, wanted to go into the army. John insisted that he should not and that he, John, should go, as he was unmarried, and if he were to fall, it would make but little difference. The result was Robert yielded to John's insistence and John enlisted in Company E, 91st O. V. I., on August 11, 1862, for three years. His age was given at forty-five, though he was nearer forty-six. He served until June 24, 1865, and was mustered out with the regiment. He was in good health and right with the regiment all the time. He required no favors of any kind. He was one of the very few of those who enlisted above the age of forty that was able to endure the hardships of the service for the period of his enlistment.
John Coleman is noted for his sterling integrity of character. With him a security debt is equal with that of any other, as he regards it as sacred as one the consideration of which came directly to him. He is not a member of any church, but is a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church at Mt Leigh. He was a Whig in the time of the Whig party and from the formation of the Republican party has been a Republican. From the time he came to Adams County, until the death of his brother, Robert, in 1881, he made his home with him. Since his brother's death he made his home with his brother's children. He and his brother Robert had but one pocketbook. They always lived together and what was John's was Robert's and vice versa. This harmony between the brothers was never disturbed during Robert's life and has continued between John and his brother Robert's children. There never was a word of friction between the brothers, or between the uncle and his brother's children.
John Coleman, all his life, has been a lover of and a breeder of fine horses. Whether it was profitable to him or not, he must always have fine horses. He now has several in his stables and he would keep them if they were a positive loss to him, because he is a lover of animals; and as to horses, the finer bred, the more he likes them.
John Coleman holds the thirty-third degree in Patriotism and he is and ever was a good citizen, in the superlative degree.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900