Edward Coleman

Senator Coleman was born on July 4, 1792, Lancaster, the son of Robert and Anne Caroline (Old) Coleman.  His Irish-immigrant father was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, 1783, associate judge of Lancaster County for twenty years, and the owner of Hopewell Forge.  Edward received a classical education, becoming a wealthy man, a charter trustee for the Lancaster County Academy, 1827, and a major financial supporter and officer of the Conestoga Navigation Company. Regarding his association with the latter, the Steamboat “Edward Coleman” was named in his honor.  Edward Coleman married Mary Jane Ross in Pittsburgh, 1816.  Coleman served in the state House of Representatives, 1818-1819, and the state Senate, 1820-1824.  He died in Philadelphia, June 6, 1841.