Cambria County PA Archives Biographies.....Coleman, Herman February 24, 1834 - March 12, 1921
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ellis Michaels ellisrn@earthlink.net February 3, 2006, 10:27 pm

Author: Henry Wilson Storey

	Transcribed from Henry Wilson Storey, History of Cambria County Pennsylvania,
Vol. III, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907, pages 532-533.
	COLEMAN FAMILY. In Johnstown this numerous family is ably represented by
William H. Coleman, for many years connected with the mail service, and his
brother, Harry L. Coleman, who has been for a long period identified with the
Lorain Steel Company. They are sons of Herman Coleman, and grandsons of John
Coleman, who was born in the state of New York, and learned the blacksmith's
trade. There is a tradition that the Colemans were among the first manufacturers
of iron in America.
	John Coleman later moved to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he followed
his trade. This was in the days of the famous Conestoga wagons, which preceded
the canal and Portage railway in the transportation of merchandise between the
east, Pittsburg and the western part of Pennsylvania. Much of his work was in
the shoeing of the numerous horses employed in this traffic. He purchased a
tract of land at what is now Listie, which he cleared of timber and cultivated
in connection with his trade. He served in the war of 1812. As a compensation
for his military services he received from the government a grant for a tract of
land situated in Westmoreland county, which, however, he never took up and which
was thus lost to the family.
	John Coleman married Catherine Schroyer, of York, Pennsylvania, who became the
mother of these children: George, served in Civil war, married and lived in
Westmoreland county. John, also served in the Civil war, married and reared a
family. Jacob, likewise a soldier in the Civil war, married Mary Stutzman, and
had children. Sarah, wife of Alexander Hunter. Herman, of whom later.	
	Herman Coleman, son of John and Catharine (Schroyer) Coleman, was born February
24, 1834, and passed his boyhood on the farm at Listie, receiving his education
in the common schools.  He assisted his father in the management of the estate
until 1853, and in May of that year moved to Johnstown.  He began his business
career there in the service of Aaron Frew, a carpenter , by whom he was employed
in building the first structure for the Cambria Iron Company.  After this he
went to work on the canal, returning in the course of time to the Cambria Iron
Company, by whom he was employed for a number of years as a heater. 
Subsequently he filled various positions in the steel works, and in 1902 retired
from active labor.  He now resides in Johnstown.  In politics he is an active
worker for the Democratic Party.
	Herman Coleman married, November 18, 1854, Sarah, daughter of George and Lydia
Trent, of Johnstown.  Mr. Trent died in that city, April 23, 1902, and his widow
is now a member of the household of her son in law, five generations being
represented in the family.  Mr. and Mrs. Coleman have had the following
children: 1. William H., of whom later. 2. Millard Fillmore, deceased, married
Mary Gardner, children: William H., deceased; Amelia, Jennie, John, August,
Robert, and Louella. 3. John, died in infancy. 4. George, also died in infancy.
5. Emma Kate, likewise died in infancy. 6. Lydia Jane, wife of John W. Michaels,
of Beaverdale, Pennsylvania, children: Margaret, Mary, Thomas, Ellis, John,
Talmage, Blanche, Martha and Helen. 7. Mary Edith, wife of Edward Ream,
children: Richard and Marian. 8. Harry L., of whom later. 9. Isaac Ralph,
married Jennie Iskis, children: Ethel and Martha, 10. Charles Irwin, born March
4, 1880, served in hospital corps of United States army during Spanish-American
war, enlisting in Philadelphia, May 8, 1898, and serving at United States army
barracks, Washington, District of Columbia, and at Fort McPherson, Georgia,
being honorably discharged at the latter place December 23, 1898. The same year
he entered the service of the Cambria Steel Company and is now a clerk in the
steel mill office. 11. Sarah G., wife of William Swank, children Gladys May,
deceased; and Clarence, deceased.
    William H. Coleman, son of Herman and Sarah (Trent) Coleman, was born April
11, 1856, at what is now known as No. 622 Franklin street, Johnstown, and was
educated in the public schools of his native city, afterward attending the
Johnstown night school at the old Union School house. He was for a time employed
at James Robb's brickyard and for a year worked in Swank's Pottery. He then
found employment at the Cambria Iron Works, remaining with the company until
1890, when he was appointed letter carrier by Postmaster J. Earle Ogle. In 1893,
when President Harrison extended civil service to all free deliver offices, Mr.
Coleman was appointed chairman of the examining board for the Johnstown office,
which was composed of three members. June 27, 1904, the board reduced to two, he
was re-appointed. When the city of Johnstown was incorporated he was elected to
the common council and served in that body until his appointment as letter
carrier, when he resigned in order to take up his new duties. He is a
Republican, and a member of the Lutheran church.
    Mr. Coleman married, August 28, 1879, Rachel, daughter of William and Julia
(Dively) Strauss, and the following children have been born to them: Edward H.,
married Vera Miller, one child, Leroy M., David W., Catharine M., William H.,
Helen I., Herbert K., Ruth E., al at home.
    Harry L. Coleman, son of Herman and Sarah (Trent) Coleman, was born
September 1, 1874, in Johnstown, where he attended the public schools until the
age of thirteen. He then found employment with the Johnson Company, with whom he
learned the moulder's trade, and remained with the company (now the Lorain Steel
Company) to the present time, being now the holder of a lucrative and
responsible position. Like his brother, he adheres to and advocates the
principles tire Republican party, giving to the organization the aid of his vote
and influence. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
    Mr. Coleman married Louvora Lomison, by whom he has had the following
children: Mildred L., Jean T., and Miriam St. Claire, deceased. 


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