The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Help needed-William Coleman
In Response To: Help needed-William Coleman ()

From Goodspeed 1889 Moniteau County, pg 924

"William Coleman was born in 1835 in Franklin County, Ohio. His parents were John A. and Maria Coleman, natives near Hamburg, Germany, wher the former was a brewer by occupation, and served three years as a soldier. in 1833 they immigrated to America with their family , landing in New York City and making their way through Pennsylvania to Columbus, Ohio where the remained about one year, and thence to Union City, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1878, at the age of 86 years and the mother in 1884, aged 83; both were members of the Luthern Church. They had 16 children all but 3 of whom wer born in Germany, where 4 died. Seven are now living, Viz.: Barbara, Margaret, Susan, Little Barbara, William, Rosena, and Leonard. William Coleman lived with his parents until 13 years old, when he went to Bloomington, IL, where he worked for his board and went to school for 3 months. Leaving Bloomington, he went to Kansas the following spring and worked on a farm until fall and during winter attended school in Kansas City. He then worked as a deckhand on the Missouri river until August of the same year, when he was hired to drive the government team to Fort Union, New Mexico, remaining in the employ of the government for 7 years. In 1860 he returned to Kansas City, engaged in farming one yera and in 1861 enlisted in the Confederate Army, serving 4 years and 4 months. He participated in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Lexington, and Corinth, MS, and several minor engagements and was with Price on his raid through Missouri. He was thrice wounded and was taken prisoner near Vicksburg, sent to Alton IL where he was held for 3 months and then discharged, after which he returned to his company and remained until the close of the war. In 1864 he went to Mexico with General Shelby and from there returned to Fort Union New Mexico, where he worked for the government one year. In the winter of 1866 he returned to Kansas City, MO, wher he remained until 1868, and the following year was employed on the railroad at Jefferson City. The next 3 years he worked on a farm near Sandy Hook Moniteau County and in 1871 went to Nevada City, MO and worked on the railroad until December of the same year. He then went to Ozark, Arkansas and thence to Little Rock working on the Cairo and Fulton Railroad for 3 years, during which time he lost $4,000 by the failure of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad. From Arkansas Mr Coleman returned to Missouri in 1875 locating near Sandy Hook, Moniteau County where he now lives on a farm. March 8, 1877 he married Sarah E Adams, who was born in Boone County MO in March 1858 and is a daughter of of Francis M. and Sophia (Scott) Adams. Four children have blessed this union viz.: John(deceased) Fordyce, Nero, and Maude. They also have and adopted child George S. Mr and Mrs Coleman are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Jamestown."

It seems to me that he may very well have been a significant guide for Shelby in the Mexico trip due to his knowledge of the area from making trips to Fort Union for 7 years. I guess he may have known Upton Hays as well as they were both in the same industry in the 1850s runnig out of Kansas City area. I've not turned up a specific unit for him, though the history would be consistent with MSG service.

1900 Census
Name: William Coleman
Home in 1900: Linn, Moniteau, Missouri
Age: 63
Estimated birth year: abt 1837
Birthplace: Germany
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Spouse's name: Sarah
Race: White
Immigration Year: 1838
Household Members: Name Age
William Coleman 63
Sarah Coleman 41
Nero Coleman 16
Maud Coleman 13
Lena Coleman 9
Lona Coleman 9
George Coleman 3
John W Chiles 36
Sadie Caraman 19

Messages In This Thread

Help needed-William Coleman
Re: Help needed-William Coleman
Re: Help needed-William Coleman
Re: Help needed-William Coleman
Re: Help needed-William Coleman
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
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Re: Mysterious Confederate Captain Bowman
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Re: Mysterious Confederate Captain Bowman Father!
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Re: Mysterious Confederate Captain Bowman Mother
Re: Mysterious Confederate Captain Bowman Mother
Re: Mysterious Confederate Captain Bowman Mother
Limbaugh...related to the famous Rush..???
Re: Mysterious Confederate Captain Bowman Mother
Re: Mysterious Confederate Captain Bowman Mother
Re: Death CPT Geo. Herring, 10 June 1864
Re: Help needed-William Coleman
Re: Help needed-William Coleman
Re: Help needed-William Coleman
Re: Help needed-William Coleman