Person:Zopher Coleman (2)

COLEMAN, Zopher, son of Zopher and Emily, was born September 6, 1825, near Mansfield and was probably the first white child born in Jackson Township. He came of sturdy pioneer stock, and during his long life saw much of the development of Parke County. He was married April 28, 1845 to Telitha PRUETT, daughter of Stephen and Naomi. Mrs. Coleman was born April 9, 1826 in Kentucky but moved to Parke County when but a child. 12 children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coleman 9 of whom are still living. Mr. Coleman died August 27, 1897 and Mrs. died July 21, 1915. (Note: there is a picture -- Historical Sketch of Parke County, Parke County In Centennial Memorial, 1816-1916 p 111). About 1820, the first cabin in the township was built where Mansfield now stands. This primitive germ of civilization was erected by NELSON and HUBBARD for James KELSEY, as a residence, probably while he built the mill known as DICKSON'S Mills, Mr. Dickson being in some way connected in business with Kelsey. George KIRKPATRICK and Nash. GLIDEWELL came from Ohio and entered land in about 1821. A brother of Nash, Robert Glidewell, father to Mrs. Levina KEMPER, now of Jackson Township, had surveyed through this section of country about 1816, and about 1823 entered land, his patent being signed by President Monroe. In 1821, Zopher and Emily COLEMAN sought a home in the wilds of Jackson, settling a short distance north of the present site of Mansfield. They hailed from South Carolina. In the same year, a son was born to them, and they called him Zopher Jr. The elder Coleman lived to see some change in the condition of Parke County and died in 1856. Taken from: The 1880 History of Parke County, Indiana. J. H. Beadle. Chicago: H. H. Hill

Died, August 27, 1897, at his old home, after an illness of two weeks, Zopher COLEMAN in his 72nd year. A pioneer of early days; his father came to this country when it was a wilderness and entered land along the banks of Big Raccoon, near Mansfield, where his son was b. September 6, 1825. He has always lived a good neighbor, an honest citizen, a true Christian, doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. April 28, 1845, he was married to Tilitha Pruett and to them were born 12 children, 9 of whom survive him - six sons and three daughters -- and his aged companion, who are left to mourn the loss of a kind husband and loving father. In 1867 he united with the Primitive Baptist church and since then the Bible has been his constant study and guide. During his illness he called his wife, whom he had lived with for 53 years, to his bedside and throwing his arms around her, told her he felt his life had been a success and that she had been a good companion, but they would soon have to separate. He said he was willing and not afraid to die; he trusted in the Lord as he lived. So he died, falling asleep in Jesus. Funeral services were conducted at North Union, Rev. Skelton who delivered a beautiful discourse from Acts 1:24 on the goodness of man and the resurrection of the body, in which he was a strong believer. His body was then laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery that surrounds the church to await the coming of the Lord. (Alice Coleman Harmless). - Unknown Newspaper --

1.   1880 History of Parke County, Indiana. Centennial Memorial.

   Zopher Coleman, s/o Zopher and Emily, was b. Sept 6, 1825, near Mansfield and was probably the first white child b. in Jackson Twp. He came of sturdy pioneer stock, and during his long life saw much of the development of Parke Co. [IN]. He was marr. April 28, 1845 to Telitha Pruett, d/o Stephen and Naomi [Moore]. Mrs. Coleman was b. April 9, 1826 in Ky but moved to Parke Co. when but a child. 12 children were b to M/M Coleman 9 of whom are still living. Mr. Coleman d. Aug 27, 1897 and Ms. d. July 21, 1915. (there is a picture - Historical Sketch of Parke Co, Parke Co. in Centennial Memorial, 1816-1916 p. 111.)