George Edward Coleman, eldest son and second of fourteen children born to George and Elizabeth Jane Young Coleman, was born February 14, 1863 at Camp Floyd, (later called Fairfield) Utah. In the 1860's the family moved to Tooele, Utah.

He spent most of his life in the sheep industry. At an early age he was hired by some of the prominent sheep growers of the Tooele area. He spent most of his salary to buy sheep for himself and managed to get a rather large band over the years.

He is said to be the first of many to trail sheep up Center Creek Canyon beyond the Heber Valley in the spring of the year. It was in this canyon at a shingle mill that he met the three older children of the Joseph Thomas family of nine orphans. They became close friends and he visited them at their farm home in the canyon southeast of Center Creek.

It was here he met Jannett who was keeping house and caring for the younger brothers while the older ones worked.

He was amazed to find one so young being so resourceful and dependable. When she was 17 years old he took her to Tooele to visit his folks. She had never been away from her loved ones and was very nervous about traveling. He asked her to marry him and told her if she didn't consent she had to return home alone. This meant changes in Salt Lake City and Provo. She said "yes".

They lived at the Coleman farm in Tooele for some time, going back to Heber only one winter when their first born, Howard, arrived. Three other children, Florence, Ethel and George were born in Tooele. He was away most of the time with the sheep.

After the death of his father in 1894 he assumed the mortgage of his father and took over the farm. He settled his mother is a smaller place near the center of town. The new home of his parents still stands, with some changes, on Coleman Street in Tooele, Utah.

Near the turn of the century when he was ready to trail sheep to the Heber area his wife begged to come with him. He told her the trip was too hard for her because she was expecting her fourth baby. After the birth of George in August she had her brother Joseph Thomas come with his horses and wagon to get them. They stopped overnight in Parley's Canyon, visited with her sister Irinda and family and arrived in Heber the next day. When he returned in the fall he found his family settled in Center Creek with the John Austin family. His wife begged to be allowed to live again in Heber, so he returned to Tooele later and disposed of the property.

They rented first in Center Creek, then in Heber. Later he sold sheep and bought a home on the corner of 3rd north and 5th east where the family lived for many long and happy years. Six more children were to bless this family: Joseph, Eleanor, Ralph, Agnes, Ferrol and Faye.

He continued to work with sheep as long as his health permitted. He was never too robust, had several illnesses and at one time had to have his head shaved to give all of his strength to his body. He was always cheerful and loved his fellowmen, never complaining but always saw the good side of things. It was never easy to leave his family of ten children and his good wife for the lonely sheep camp.

As soon as school closed in the spring, they joined him for a pleasant summer vacation. He made it enjoyable by taking them on fishing trips, to visit other camps or to the sawmill. One time they even took the family cow and chickens with them. He spent many hours with his family, playing his accordion, drawing pictures for them, and playing guessing games in rhymes. At home or away he gave life to any occasion.

He loved to take as many children as he could wherever and whenever he went. He always managed to get them back in town by circus time to get ready for school. He always demanded that his children attend the school functions and all church meetings and to do whatever was asked of them. He visited the school room of each on his brief stays at home and always attended church with them.

His brother Leonard also married a Heber girl, Annie Murdock, and lived near. The two families were always close and concerned about each other. For a short time his brother Thomas and wife Josie lived in Heber. He was a barber and they had no children.

In his early fifties George became very miserable. Finally after some urging, he sought medical advice. His heart and kidneys were very bad. The doctor told him he was just worn out and could expect death at any time. He suffered greatly for about four years. Everything possible was done for him. His faithful wife never left his side and did all she could for his comfort.

He passed away on January 10, 1923 just one month before his sixtieth birthday. He was buried in the Heber City Cemetery January 12, 1923. He had marked the hymns for his services and "Count Your Many Blessings" was number one. It was very typical of his life. He left a widow and eight children to mourn his loss as well as many relatives and friends.