- PROF. J. E. COLEMAN, the popular and efficient Principal
of Evansville Seminary, was born in
- Wyoming County, N.Y., on the 27th day of February, 1855,
and is a son of Rev. George W. and Jane (BUSH) COLEMAN, both
of whom were natives of Wyoming County, and are now residents
of Evansville. They located in that town in 1855, responsive
to a call from the Free Methodist Church, of which Mr. COLEMAN
is now general superintendent or bishop. He and his wife were
the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters:
Carrie J., an accomplished lady, and a successful teacher in
the Seminary, died in Evansville, in the spring of 1886. Charles
Henry was graduated from the Evansville Seminary, in the class
of 1886, and intended pursuing a collegiate course at Beloit,
but death claimed him as its victim, Feb. 28, 1887; two sisters,
Mrs. N. G. CATTON and S. Ella, are still residents of New York;
Julia M, the youngest daughter, is still residing with her parents;
George E. is a resident of the town of Union.
- Our subject, being the son of a Methodist clergyman, received
his preparatory education at various
- places, as the father assumed the pastorate of different
charges, in accordance with the plan of the Free Methodist Church.
At length, entering the University of Rochester, N.Y., he was
graduated from that institution in the class of 1879, and shortly
afterward came to Evansville to accept the Superintendence of
the Seminary. The Evansville Seminary is one of the oldest education
institutions of Rock County, having been organized by the citizens
as a stock company, in 1855, the building being erected in 1857.
Not long after the establishment of the school it was placed
in charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church, under whose control
it remained for ten years, when it was placed under the supervision
of the Free Baptist Church, continuing under the charge of that
denomination for about the same length of time. It was not exempt
from the general decline that came to all schools of its character,
immediately following and consequent upon the War of the Rebellion,
and for a period of five years remained closed, when it was revived
by the Free Methodist Church, under whose auspices it has since
been conducted. Mr. COLEMAN became the Superintendent of the
school at the time of its re-opening, which occurred Sept. 14,
1880, and under his administration the institution has regained
much of its former popularity, and is now in a thriving condition.
In 1888 an elegant addition was built to the institution, which
now constitutes the assembly building for school work, the older
structure being used chiefly as a dormitory.
- In 1879 Prof. Coleman returned to the East, and was united
in marriage with Miss Lucy M.
- SELLEW, who was born near Dunkirk, N.Y., May 23, 1853; and
was educated at the A. M. Chesbrough Seminary, of Monroe County.
After completing her studies she was employed as an instructor
in that institution, and at the time of her marriage was occupying
the position as preceptress. On coming to Evansville with her
husband she was at once installed as preceptress in the seminary,
and for sixteen years of her life was a successful teacher. Her
death occurred on the 10th day of January, 1889, and proved not
only a great affliction to her husband, but a sad loss to the
Institution, and to the community in which she resided. She was
eminently successful in her chosen work and to a superior tact
in management added great ability as a teacher; and the success
to which the academy has attained under its present management
is due in no small degree to her untiring efforts. By her pupils
she was respected and beloved, and by her many acquaintances
held in the highest regard. For two years preceding her death,
Mrs. COLEMAN served as President of the W.C.T.U., of Evansville,
and was ever a faithful and efficient worker in that society.
She was a woman of exalted Christian virtues, and left the stamp
of her eminent character on the minds of those she trained. At
her death she left an infant son, to whom she gave her husband's
name.
- Prof. COLEMAN is a gentleman of intelligence and culture,
and of earnest religious convictions.
- For many years he has been a member of the Free Methodist
Church, of which he is also a minister. His long administration
of the Evansville Seminary has met with the success which ever
attends an earnestness of purpose when properly guided and directed.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 458-459.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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