Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-24
CHARLES K. COUTANT DIES
One Of 0maha's Oldest Pioneers
Passes Away.
HAD BEEN HERE FORTY YEARS
Mr.. COutant Held Prominent Place in
Early Affairs of the city, Held
office and Helped Build
Its Commerce.

Charles X. Coutan,, one Of the pioneers
of Nebraska and prominent citizen OF
Omaha for over forty years, died at his
home, 403 North Fortieth. at 6:S5 Tuesday
morning.
His illness was not OF long duration, but
his health had been failing :or some time
His widow, Mrs. sabina Coutant survives
him. During his early life in Omaha Mr.
Coutant was prominent in political life in
the city and was a close and beloved per-
sonal friend Of most OF the men who started
the Institutions that have made Omaha
HIS business activity was centered in the
retail coal firm Of Coutant & Squires.
Mr. Coutant was born February II. 1885,
near the then little town OF Kingston
Ulster county, New York. His father was
country gentleman, and great part Of
the young mans early life was spent on
the farm and in the village which lay
close TO 1t. Later, when he grew older,
he went to Kingston, where he entered a
law office and began his study with read
ing Blackstone, Here he spent some time,
until, finally, after considerable prepare
ton, he was admitted to the New York
state bar. A few years was then spent
In practice with Judge Bernard, q promi-
nent lawyer of that country. Here he was
married to Miss Sabin Davis. But for only
short time they remained in Kingston,
coming to Omaha in 1866.
Coming here as he did when Omaha was
but village, and entering into active work
in both business and political lines. Mr.
Coutant was prominent among those early
settlers and pioneers who were instrumental
in raising this city to the paramount posi-
ton which 1t now holds in Nebraska. How
ever, we'll as he was known by old time
friends, 1t is little that they know of his
| life as told by himself He was universally
liked and admired by his business and
social associates, but 1t was rare that he
ever conversed of his private affairs or
himself
Held Many Public offices.
While Mr.. Coutant did not practice law
in Omaha, during the 70s he held many
| public offices and filled them in most
creditable manner. When he first came to
this city he started in the insurance bust
ness, which he continued until few years
before he was appointed postmaster to
succeed Thomas F. Hall in 1880 Prior to
this he was a member of the Board of
Education in 1873 and 1875, of which he was
secretary following Flenon Drake, the first
secretary of the board after the adoption of
the present system of grading. In 1879 he
was elected to the state senate where he
served one term. returning to Omaha to
become postmaster.
In 1885, the year before his term expired
in the federal office, he entered into a part.
nership in the coal and fuel business with
George G. Squires. under the firm name Of
Coutant G. Squires. His business was built
up through the same sterling business
tactics which he displayed in all of his
dealing in his business and political career.
| Mr.. Coutant has been prominent in
Masonic work in this city and is one OF the
influential old-time Masons. He was a
past grandmother of the Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons and also master in the
Covert lodge No. II in 1923.
Mr.. Coutant's father was a Quaker and
his home life was a schooling after the
fashion Of the early Pennsylvanans Mr.
Coutant was director Of the First Pres
lbyterian church and one Of its staunchest
supporters when real help was needed.
A funeral service Will be held at the resi-
ldence Wednesday afternoon at o'clock
In the evening the body will be taken bach
to Kingston, n. Y. Mr.. Coutants birth
place. for burial.