ANDERSON COLEMAN. It is a pleasure to chronicle the history of a man whose life has been one of honor and usefulness, and although he is considerable past the zenith of his career, Mr. Coleman has accumulated sufficient means to pass his declining years in peace and plenty. He is one of the old pioneers of Carter County, Missouri, to which section he came in 1858, and is honored and esteemed throughout its length and breadth. Mr. Coleman was born in Tennessee, October, 14, 1822, and the son of William and Betsey (Vaughan) Coleman, both of whom died in North Carolina. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812. The grandfather, Spencer Coleman, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His ancestors came from England to America prior to the Revolutionary War, and settled in Virginia.
Anderson Coleman was one of eleven children and when a young man removed to North Carolina. Later he returned to Tennessee, and in 1858 he came to Carter County, making the journey with ox teams, and settled in Carter County, on a farm near Van Buren, where he resided seventeen years. For some time during his residence in Carter County he held the office of constable, elected in 1866 or 1867. From there he moved to Wayne County and later to Reynolds County. All his life he has tilled the soil and has met with substantial results. He was married in Tennessee to Miss Martha Allen, a native of Tennessee, born in 1823, and the daughter of Maj. James Allen, who was a soldier and officer in the War of 1812. Mrs. Coleman died in 1866. She was the mother of eleven children. After her death Mr. Coleman married a Mrs. Kelley, who died shortly afterward, and he married Mrs. Malinda Hixson. She, too, died, and he then married Mrs. Mills, who bore him one child, Cora, who is still living. Mr. Coleman is a well-known man in Missouri and one of the most prominent early farmers. In politics he is a Democrat. He has reared a large family of children of whom he may well be proud, for they are honorable, upright and prominent citizens. Mr. Coleman has now retired from the active duties of life and is spending his declining years quietly and peacefully.