The record-union., 1893-11-23
WILLIAM T. COLEMAN.
A PIONEER MERCHANT JOINS THE
SILENT MAJORITY.
Prominently Identified With the Early
History of Caiifornia-At One Time
Resident OF Sacramento.
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
SAN Francisco, Nov. 22.-William i.
Coleman died at 4 clock this morning at
his residence, corner of Pacific avenue
and Fillmore streets. He had been sick
for several months with, as is thought,
Bright's disease.
William Tell Coleman was born in
Harrison County, KY, on February 29,
1924, and was accordingly in his seventh
eth year at the time of his death. His an
cestors were English and Welsh, who
settled in Virginia early i'll the history OF
America. His father, n. Il. Coleman.
was a prominent lawyer and politician of
Kentucky.
At the age of Is he entered the employ
of an uncle, Marcus Chinn, Chief En-
gineer of certain Illinois railroads, and
received a salary OF $500 a year. His
new home was at Jacksonville.
A year later young Coleman went to
st. Louis and was employed first in the
insurance business and next in the lum-
ber trade. Saving $500 from his earnings
he entered St. Louis University, where
he took in two years the regular four
years course, and was graduated with
the degree of bachelor of science.
After leaving college he spent q winter
in the South, and had charge of a planta-
ton. The following year he again en-
gagged in numbering. going to Wisconsin,
where he remained several years.
AS early as lS44-5 MIR. Coleman had
planned ansex pedition across the plains to
California, but this enterprise failed for
lack of support on the part of the others
who had agreed to take part in it.
In the spring Of '49 he organized an
other party. which came to California
overland, arriving at Sacramento on
August 14th. There Mr.. Coleman traded
some Of his livestock for town lots. He
set up some tents and soon engaged in
building operations. constructing fences,
bridges, gold rockers or anything to
which he and bis associates could turn
their hands.
Tiring OF the building business. Mr..
Coleman engaged in mercantile trans
actions. He bought a stock of goods and
had it hauled to Placerville. In this he
was successful. During g temporary de-
preston of trade he tried mining. Among
other occupations at the mines he took
up law practice. In January, 1850, he
came to San Francisco and opened store
on Sansome street, near Jackson, doing
general merchandise business.
In 1852 he opened up an agency in New
York, and in 1856 started q line of ships
between that port and San Francisco. He
entered in 1860 into partnership with e.
VI. Ii
w. L. Coleman 6S Co.
Mr. Coleman became distinguished in
the early history of this city as the head
of the Vigilance Committee. The city had
been terroriZed by organized bands of
robbers and murderers, known as the
Hounds and Regulators. The law was
outraged with impunity, and its officers
were more or less in league with the
criminals, whose political influence was
pre-eminent. At last the respectable ele-
ments of the city organized in 1851 for the
protection of life and property and to rid
the community OF the scOGndrels who
had long deied justice. Mr.. Coleman
was active In the work of organization
and was a member of the Executive Com
mittee.
In 1856 Mr.. Coleman was chosen leader
of the second Vigilance Committee,
which was formed Immediately after the
assassination of James King of William
by James Casey. Mr.. Coleman had
supreme command, and evineed rare
powers of leadership. He was firm and
fearless, yet just and fair in the discharge
of his weignty obligations to the COM
m1nity.
The hanging of Casey by the vigilantes,
after he had received fair trial, and the
subsequent work of the organization
which rid San Francisco of its criminal
elements, are matters of familiar history.
After three months of active service the
committee made great street parade and
finally adjourned.
Mr.. Coleman was called to the leader
ship of the Committee of Public Safety,
which organized during the labor troubles
of 1S77-7S to prevent riots and the destruc-
ton of property. In this position he
rendered good service.
Mr.. Coleman never held any public
office and never received any pecuniary
compensation for his labors in behalf of
the public He took a keen interest in
politics, but did not seek office. In 1854
the New York Sun brought him into
prominence by urging his nomination to
the Presidency by the Democracy.
Several years ago the firm of w. T.
Coleman 81 Co. became involved and
went out of existence. Mr. Coleman
from that time devoted his attention to
private affairs.
The funeral will be held from the FAM
ily residence, 25l6 Fillmore street, next
Saturday.