Coleman, Joseph

THE HAND OF DEATH.
John T. Brown and Joseph Coleman,
Aged and Esteemed Citizens,
Quietly Pass Away.
OTHER DEATHS THIS WEEK.
[Note - for the John T. Brown obituary, please check under "Brown".]
After a long period of illness, the past six months of which he was confined to his bed, Joseph Coleman fell peacefully asleep on Sunday morning just as the church bells were ringing for morning service. Mr. Coleman was a man of sterling Christian character, and his children all follow in the footsteps of their father. He was born in Co. Antrim, Ireland, in 1834, and when but a child came to Canada with his parents and about sixty-five years ago settled in Dundas. Here he was a schoolmate of Mr. James Somerville ex-M.P., with whom his eldest son, Mr. John S. Coleman, was subsequently apprenticed for a time in the office of his paper, the Dundas Banner. Subsequently the family removed to a farm in the vicinity of Strabane, and here the young man formed a life long friendship with Mr. James Bain, ex-M.P. In 1857 he was joined in wedlock with Mary Jane Pearce, of Lambton County, and for fifty-one years they were the united head of a most happy Christian home. They were blessed with four sons and one daughter; John S., Acton; William, Hespeler; Silas, Winnipeg; James, Hamiota; and Miss Sophie at home. This is the first death in the immediate family. Though he was brought up a Presbyterian, Mr. Coleman joined the Methodist Church in 1871, under the ministry of the late William Willoughby, who was at one time a pastor here. His home was truly a house of prayer and the ministers and Christian workers were greatly beloved. While at Strabane he was for sometime a school trustee, and it was a matter of great appreciation when his son Mr. John S., was elected Chairman of the Board of Education of Acton three years ago. He was always a Liberal in politics. Mr. Coleman removed to Acton thirteen years ago, whence two of his sons had come several years before. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon to Fairview Cemetery, Rev. G. W. Barker having charge of the service. General sympathy is felt for Mr. Coleman and the family in their bereavement.