J.A. Coleman cast his lot with the people of the beautiful and fertile Solomon valley in 1886. He is a shrewd business man, bestirs himself early and late, one of the get-up-and-hustle kind that never falls to grasp a good bargain or take advantage of opportunities that come in his way; another good example of what pluck and ambition can do in this fair commonwealth. He came to Kansas practically a poor man but possessed of that heritage, energy and grit which is of far more value than titles to land, minus these attributes. He has forged to the front and ranks as a successful farmer and stockman. Mr. Coleman is still in the prime of life, having been born in Keytesville, Missouri, in the year 1856; but his cordial manner and good humored witticisms imply he might be ten years younger.

His parents were John Henry and Elvira (Moss) Coleman. J.H. Coleman was a Virginian by birth, born in Prince Edward county. He emigrated to Missouri in his earlier life, where he died in the early 'seventies. He was of English origin. Mr. Coleman is one of seven children, four of whom are living, all in Sheridan county, Missouri, except himself. William Edward, a farmer; Martha J., wife of Charles Edison, a farmer, and Jennie V., wife of W.L. Brown.

Mr. Coleman began his career on a farm. His mother died during the war and he was thrown on his own resources very early in life. He was married in 1880 to Annie Alice Wells, of Sheridan county, Missouri, where she was born and reared. Her father was Freeman Wells. He left Virginia, his native state, when a young man and settled in Missouri, where he died in 1882. Her mother was Polly Huttsell, of Kentucky birth. She died in 1880. Mrs. Coleman is one of nine children, six of whom are living. John Edward, a carpenter with residence in Concordia; William L., a retired farmer of Concordia; Mattie J., wife of Jeff Hulse, a farmer of Solomon township; Sena, wife of Wesley Cline, an Oklahoma farmer; Susan, wife of William Crook, a farmer of Solomon township,

Mr. Coleman came to Kansas with small capital and at the end of two years, owing to partial failure of crops and bad management, he had practically nothing. He had not adapted himself to the country and the ways of the people - thought he was in Missouri. However, shortly afterward he bought eighty acres of the Ezra Calhoun homestead, built a neat cottage and improved the place. Two years later he bought forty acres adjoining it on the south; two years subsequently added eighty acres on the west side, and in 1899 secured forty acres adjoining on the east side. Has improved the latter, built a comfortable house of six rooms, located on the edge of Fisher creek, which furnishes beautiful shade of natural forest trees.

Our subject raises wheat, alfalfa and corn. In 1896 he had a fifty-acre field of wheat that yielded forty-two and one-half bushels per acre. He has made the bulk of his money in cattle and hogs. He has a fine feed lot with a neverfailing spring that would afford water for one thousand head of stock.

Mr. Coleman's family consists of a wife - who is a very estimable woman, - and four children, viz: William Edward, aged seventeen. Lessie Olivia, Marshall Luella and Sena Eulalia. Mr. Coleman is a Democrat and a member of the Woodmen Lodge of Glasco. The family are members of the Methodist church.