"Speak my name and I will live forever." - African proverb
EDWARD J. COLEMAN (1869-1942) OBITUARIES, EDITORIALS, SPORTS COLUMNS
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The Scranton Times, Feb. 27, 1942, pages 3 and 29
EDWARD J. COLEMAN DIES AFTER LENGTHY ILLNESS
Former Sheriff and County Treasurer, a Lifelong Resident of City
Was Colorful Figure In Political, Sporting, Business and Fraternal Circles
Funeral Monday Morning.
Former Sheriff Edward J. Coleman, a lifelong resident of this city and one of the most colorful figures in the community's political, sporting, business and fraternal circles died last night at 9 o'clock at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue. Had he lived until March 19, he would have observed his seventy-third birthday.
Death came after a prolonged Illness. The former sheriff had been In falling health for months and for a long time had been unable to leave his residence in the Hill section. Some months ago he underwent an operation at the Moses Taylor Hospital and rallied for a time. Despite his long siege of sickness, Mr. Coleman almost to the last was his customary jolly and Jovial self and enjoyed visits with friends. He had been confined to bed but a few weeks.
Eddie Coleman, as he was popularly known, was one of the best known men in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Word of his death was received with genuine regret on the part of thousands of his friends from all walks of life throughout Lackawanna Valley.
Mr. Coleman, who until a few years ago was proprietor of the Oak Restaurant, 335 Adam Avenue, made his way from a humble beginning as a breaker boy in the Bellevue Colliery, to a spot which ranked him as one of the outstanding men of the anthracite region.
WAS SON OF MERCHANT
Born in Scranton on March 19. 1869. the son of the late Owen and Bridget Coleman, who once ran a grocery store in the Flats Section, Mr. Coleman was educated in the public schools. One of his first jobs was that of a water boy for the Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company and he later became a breaker boy and apprentice core maker. For a number of years, Mr. Coleman an worked as a salesman for the Rohrwasser Baking Company. Penn Avenue, and in this capacity became widely known. In 1916 he opened the Oak Restaurant and, except for short intervals when he entrusted the active management to others (artist, P. W. Costello & boxer, Tommy Connors), remained in charge of the business until he disposed of his interests in the summer of 1940. His undertaking was successful and the Oak was one of the city's finest restaurants.
In his youth Mr. Coleman was an athlete and at eighteen years of age he won an all-around championship at the Scranton Y. M. C. A. Pictures of championship teams, on which he starred both in track and field events, still grace the walls of the Y. M. C. A. Building. He was a rugged, well preserved man who walked with a brisk step even when he was far past the sixty-year mark, and it was a rare thing for him to be away from his office or business because of illness.
On April 8, 1926, Mr. Coleman was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Rohrwasser, the daughter of the late Joseph and Sophia Rohrwasser of Scranton. The ceremony took place In Philadelphia. The late Mr. Rohrwasser was widely known in the city for more than a half century as a baker with a thriving business on Penn Avenue.
WAS WORLD TRAVELER
Mr. Coleman was fond of travel. He frequently attended national political conventions and conventions of sheriff and police officials in distant cities. In 1926 he and Mrs, Coleman took a trip around the world for their honeymoon and were out of the city for many months. While on the voyage, the Colemans stopped at many islands in the Pacific Ocean, visited the interior of China and Japan, crossed the Sahara Desert, traveled through Egypt, had an audience with the late Pope Pius XI and toured many other lands.
Despite his physical condition in late weeks, Mr. Coleman carefully followed all news and radio reports of World War II, frequently studying a globe or map to watch the Pacific maneuvers of American and other United Nations' forces.
Mr. Coleman was not only a participant but an ardent promoter and booster of practically all organized sports, and as a keen follower of athletic diversion he attained nation-wide prominence. He traveled to many distant points to witness championship fights and other major sports contests and he seldom missed a world series baseball game.
On July 12, 1904, Mr. Coleman and the late John Barnes, then owner of the Brunswick Hotel on Spruce Street, purchased a 50-50 partnership in the Scranton franchise in the old New York State Baseball League. Players of the Schenectady, N. Y team were transferred here and Garry was retained as manager.
BROUGHT ASHENBACH HERE
Garry stayed on as club skipper until midseason of 1905, when Messrs. Coleman and Barnes brought Eddie Ashenbach here, and In the 1906 season Ashenbach. whose name later became a regional household word, brought Scranton its first league pennant. Ashenbach and the owner could not agree on financial terms for 1907 and Hank Ramsey managed the local team that season. Mr. Coleman became the sole owner at the start of the 1908 season. He engaged Malachi Kittredge as manager and Scranton again copped the New York State circuit flag in easy fashion. Mr. Coleman owned and operated the Scranton club in succeeding seasons until 1914. when he sold stock to Dr. P. H. Walker, Robert W. Allen and William G. O'Malley. The next year Mr. Coleman retired from baseball, selling his stock to Mr. Allen.
Scranton was without a team in organized baseball in 1938, and, when Edward F. Kirschner, of Hazleton, transferred the Mountain City franchise here for the 1939 campaign in the Class A Eastern League, Mr. Coleman became one of the ten original directors. And when the local diamond owners discussed the building of the Dunmore Stadium, now one of the finest minor league parks in the country, he was one of the early and strong supporters of the new athletic project. During the last three years Mr. Coleman devoted time and money to his duties as an officer and director of the baseball team and stadium corporation and was eagerly looking forward to the 1942 season.
Mr. Coleman was a friend of Connie Mack, manager of the Philadelphia Athletics; Joe McCarthy, pilot of the New York Yankees, and Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion of the world, and many other sports world celebrities. On numerous occasions Dempsey, during the time he held the title and afterward, was a guest at the Coleman home. At dinners of sport writers in New York and Philadelphia, Coleman always shared the spotlight with other famed sportsmen.
HELD PUBLIC OFFICE
Although it was in the realm of sports that Mr. Coleman attained much prominence, he was equally well known in political circles. He was a Democrat. His first venture into politics was as a member of the common council from the Sixteenth Ward. He served two years in common council and two years in the select council during the time when the city was under the bicarmeral system of government. He also served as alderman of the Sixteenth Ward by appointment of Gov. John K. Tener, for the unexpired term of the late Alderman Michael Ruddy.
Mr. Coleman's first bid for a county office was made in 1931 and it was a successful one. He captured both the Republican and Democratic nominations for county treasurer - this was prior to the enactment of the law making it impossible for candidates to seek more than one party nomination - and he served in that office from 1932 to 1935, inclusive.
Prevented by statutory requirements from seeking a second consecutive term as county treasurer, Mr. Coleman in 1935 receivld the Democratic nomination for sheriff and went on to victory with his Democratic running mates that year. His services as chief peace officer of the county were performed with credit to himself and his staff and the sheriff's office, under his direction. enjoyed a reputation for the courtesies extended to lawyers and litigants alike. In 1939 Mr. Coleman sought thea Democratic nomination for county treasurer but lost out to Joseph A. Linnen, the incumbent treasurer.
Mr. Coleman was never happier than when playing host to a gathering of friends, either at his home or elsewhere. His rabbit and Christmas dinners, held each year at th Coleman home for groups of aquaintances, and the outings he presided over at the Coleman summer home at Lake Winola or at the Coleman farm in Scott Township each year, provided him with happy opportunities to relish his role as the perfect host
FRIEND OF THE NEEDY
Generous to a fault, Mr. Coleman was in the forefront of all movements intended to assist his less fortunate fellow men. His personal charities knew no bounds and he extended a helping hand to countless numbers of needy people.
Few people in the region were more active in fraternal or social circles than Mr. Coleman. He was especially active in the affairs of Scranton Lodge. No. 123, Protective Order of Elks, and Scranton Aerie, No. 314, Fraternal Order of Eagles, having attended numerous state and national conventions of both organizations. He was also a member of the Order of Red Men, the Knights of Columbus, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County (formerly the Irish-Amerlcan Society), the Sportsmen's League of Pennsylvania. the Scranton Liederkranz and many other organizations. In all organizations he held office at one time or another. Mr. Coleman was also a member of the Scranton Chamber of Commerce and usually went on the annual good-will tours of that organization. He was a member of St. Peter's Cathedral parish.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Coleman is survived by one brother, Eugene. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The body may be viewed this evening from 5 to 11 oclock, tomorrow afternoon from 1 to 5 o'clock and from 7 to 11 o'clock tomorrow night, and Sunday from 11 o'clock in the morning until 11 o'clock at night. Friends are requested to omit flowers.
The funeral will take place Monday morning with a solemn high mass of requiem in St. Peter's Cathedral at 9:30 oclock. Interment will be in Dunmore Cemetery.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 27, 1942, pages 3 and 12
EDWARD J. COLEMAN, EX-SHERIFF, DIES AT 72
Long Illness Fatal To Sportsman and Leader in Politics
Edward J. Coleman, one of the region's most prominent sportsmen and an outstanding Democratic political leader for nearly a half century, died at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue, at 9 oclock last night, his 72nd year.
Mr. Coleman had been in falling health the past several months. His condition was such as to confine him to his home during the past 10 months. His death had been momentarily expected for three or four days before he succumbed.
Mr. Coleman served as sheriff, county treasurer, alderman and as a member of the City Council. His affiliation with the Democratic party extended back to the days of his youth and remained unbroken during the ensuing 50 years.
NATIVE OF SCRANTON
Mr. Coleman was born in this city on March 16, 1869. He was identified with the Rohrwasser Bakery, located on Penn Avenue in the 1890s and at the turn of the century.
Active in sports, Mr. Coleman took over the franchise of the Scranton baseball club, New York State League, in 1904. His team won the city's first pennant. He disposed of his diamond interests in 1914.
Two years later he opened the Oak Cafe, Adams Avenue, which he conducted for more than 10 years before selling it. During this period the cafe was the gathering place for figures in the sports world, particularly those of boxing and baseball.
[Scranton artist P. W. Costello (1866-1935) was a friend of Ed Coleman. The walls were lined with his pen & ink drawings of baseball players, stage stars, writers, poets and political figures. Retired boxer and Bellevue native, Tommy Connors, bought the Oak Cafe from Ed Coleman in 1940 and it became a favorite night spot for boxing fans].
Mr. Coleman first aspired for office over 40 years ago when he was elected to both the Common and Select Council from the 16th Ward under the old bicameral system which was replaced by the commission plan of five elected at large, in 1911.
He later served as alderman of the 16th Ward by appointment of former Governor John K. Tener.
In 1931 he surprised the political-minded of Lackawanna County by capturing both the Republican and Democratic nominations for treasurer. Four years later he was the Democratic nominee for sheriff and won out in the general election.
From the time he attained his majority, Mr. Coleman was known far and wide in sports circles. There were but few major ring contests in the past four decades that he did not attend.
His greatest love was baseball. He frequently traveled to New York and Philadelphia in pursuit of the diamond sport and was an intimate friend of the late John McGraw, the late Hughey Jennings, Connie Mack, Bill Coughlin, Cobb, Babe Ruth and other baseball notables of the past and present.
The walls of the Oak Cafe are adorned with large pen & ink drawings, created by Scranton artist P. W. Costello, of the most prominent in sports and theatre. Included in the collection are Harry Lauder, James J. Corbett and dozens more.
WELCOMED FAMED VISITORS
No reception committee, civic or fraternal, was complete without Mr. Coleman. He was in the front ranks when Al Smith, Jimmy Walker, Governor Curley, John Boles and other great personages came to the city.
Mr. Coleman frequently entertained visiting popular sports figures at his home. Jack Dempsey and Charles Francis Coe, noted author, were his guests back in 1931. Coe at the time was penning a life history of Dempsey. When it appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, several paragraphs were devoted to Mr. Coleman's hospitality and to Fred K. Derby, a close friend of Mr. Coleman, who was mayor at that time.
The former sheriff managed and played with one of the region's best teams during the 1890s. It was the Scranton Team, with nine men on the floor. Three guards, three centers and three forwards made up a court club in those days.
Mr. Coleman was a great globetrotter. He made countless trips to the West, Canada and to South American countries. He made two world-wide combination steamship and railroad journeys.
Mr. Coleman attended every World Series game since 1904, when the championship matches were inaugurated, until the 1940 classic between Cincinnati and Detroit. He was unable to take in the 1941 series because of the illness which resulted in his death.
He set aside one day annually every Summer to entertain Scranton newspapermen and friends at his Lake Winola Summer home. These affairs were looked forward to eagerly by reporters and contributed to Mr. Coleman's great reputation as an excellent host.
Mr. Coleman leaves his wife, the former Josephine Rohrwasser, and a brother, Eugene.
Arrangements by Eugene Cusick. The body may be viewed tonight from 5 to 11 p. m. tomorrow from 1 to 5 and 7 to 11 p. m. and Sunday from 11 a. m. to 11 p.m. The funeral will take place Monday at a time to be announced. Friends have been asked to kindly omit flowers.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942, pg. 9
Edward J. Coleman's Funeral on Monday
The funeral of Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and county treasurer, will take place Monday from his home, 724 North Webster Avenue. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a. m. in St. Peter's Cathedral. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery. The body may be viewed today from 1 to 5 and from 7 to 11 p. m. and tomorrow from 11 a. m. to 11 p. m. Arrangements by Gene Cusick.
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The Scranton Tribune, March 3, 1942, pg. 17
Many at Funeral of E. J. Coleman; Mass Celebrated at St. Peter's Cathedral
The funeral of Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and county treasurer, was held yesterday from his home, 724 North Webster Avenue, and was largely attended. Msgr. Martin J. OConnor was celebrant of a mass in St. Peter's Cathedral. The Rev. Francis Durkin was deacon, and the Rev. Edward Collins, subdeacon.
Interment, Dunmore Cemetery, where Msgr. Walter Gorman, Father Durkin and the Rev. William Burchel, conducted committal services. Msgr. John J. Vaughan, chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, led a group of Knights in prayer. Delegations also were present from the Scranton Llederkranz and the Elks.
Honorary casket bearers were: Judge M. J. Eagen, Sen. E. J. Coleman, Thomas H. Richardson, president of the Eastern Baseball League; Attorney Carton M. O'Malley, Henry N. Atherton, Kenneth J. O'Brien, Maj. John A. Hart, Jack Davis, E. P. Dietrick, William R. Lynett, Joseph Lawler, Sheriff Joseph B. Shaute, County Commissioners M. F. Lawler and W. J. Geiger, Joseph M. Butler, James T. Hanlon, Sterling A. Riker, Walter J. O'Malley, Attorney Frank J. McDonnell, John J. Loftus, P. F. Cusick, P. F. Calpin, Peter McDonough, Thomas J. Connors, Matt Cary, Charles Dougherty, John Greiner Jr., and James Reap.
Active casket bearers were: August Possanza, Thomas F. Ferguson, Michael J. McNally, Joseph P. O'Malley, Edward H.. Degan, Ferdinand Chamoni, James Devaney and Edward J. Gerrity.
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The Scranton Times, Feb 27, 1942 pages 26 and 27
THE SPORTSCOPE – JOE M. BUTLER
Sportsdom Mourns Death of Edward J. Coleman
The Great Umpire, whose decisions are never challenged or overruled, called last night and Edward J. Coleman, champion athlete, a successful business man, Lackawanna County official for eight years, owner and influential supporter of baseball teams and a grand sportsman all his life, answered. After a prolonged illness, a courageous battle against overwhelming odds, albeit a losing fight, the end came at 9 o'clock at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue.
Sheriff Ed, as he was popularly known, was deeply interested in all sports and never refused an invitation to furnish the official touch of his office to any sport event or affair, even when he quite justifiably could have said "No" without incurring resentment. He did not limit his presence to the throwing out of the first ball of the baseball season. He sponsored men and women bowling teams, rolled the first ball to open annual championship pin tournaments promoted by this newspaper and tossed up the first ball to inaugurate basketball campaigns. Mr. Coleman, like most of the prominent men of Scranton who have grown up with the city, took pride in Scranton and all its activities, not the least of which were its athletic triumphs.
It was not difficult to get acquainted with Mr. Coleman. His office and home were open at all times to every one. Celebrities visited him. So did those who competed in a small way. All were welcome, and men, women and children, too, who greatly admired him, will find it hard to believe - that his cheerful smile and friendly salutations will be seen and heard no more. Fair play was Mr. Coleman's motto, but he wanted to see the little fellow, as well as those who bore big names in sportsdom, triumph in clean, hard fought, manly competition. Sitting with the writer at hundreds of sporting events, Sheriff Ed always impressed me that he had the quaint idea that "if you can't take it - you don't belong," and that another simple motto was "a poor way to inspire confidence is to start it with an excuse."
Mr. Coleman had long been recognized as Scranton's good-will ambassador at not only regional but national athletic events and at social functions where sports celebrities gathered. He missed but few championship fistic battles wherever staged. At baseball world series games in all sections of the country, the former sheriff - sporting well tailored toggery, cane, diamond stickpin and big elk tooth - could be seen heading the delegation of local fans. For years be missed few baseball and sporting writers' dinners in New York, Philadelphia and other cities.
His Eleven-Year Reign In Old New York State League
Baseball was the game dearest to the heart of Mr. Coleman and, recalling the many, many chats we've had together on his eleven-year ownership regime, I know Eddie would relish putting on comfortable slippers, reclining in an easy chair and reminiscing into the night on his teams, managers and players from 1904 to the end of the 1914 season tn the old New York State League.
Scranton had no league baseball in 1901. In 1902 Scranton operated together with Williamsport, Lebanon, Wilkes-Barre, Reading and Lancaster in the Pennsylvania State League. The city was again without a club in 1903. Along in July 1904, the Schenectady, N. Y team of the New York State League was in financial straits and President John H. Farrell came to Scranton to try and induce local men to take the club. He interviewed many, offering them the franchise and players if they would but pay the players back salaries and their transportation from Schenecetady to Scranton. John Barnes, then owner of the Brunswick Hotel, Spruce Street, and Mr. Coleman, finally agreed to go along as owners of the team on a fifty-fifty basis. The club was officially turned over to Coleman and Barnes on July 12, 1904. The following year, Wilkes-Barre was admitted to the league, getting the Illion, N. Y franchise. Jimmy Garry, skipper of the Schenectady team, was retained as manager of the Miners, and players on his roster included Bill Schmink, Gus Zeimer, Danny Coogan, Fred Betts, Henry Gettig, Sandy MacDougal, Eddie Shortell, Larry Hannifan, Bill Bannon and others. Garry managed the local team until midseason of 1905, when Edward Ashenback came here to manage. A notable feat of the Ashenback club in the 1905 season was to beat Wilkes-Barre on the last day of the season in Minooka Park, a defeat knocking the Barons out of the pennant.
Ashenback brought Scranton its first league pennant in 1906, having a swell club. He had Wilkie Clark and Andy Roth as catchers; Chappie, MacDougal, Larry Hannifan, Polly Polchow and Ernest Murray ss pitcher; Bud Sharpe was on first base, Eddie Shortell remained at second and Gus Zeimer at short, Heinie Krug covered third and Doc Graham, Joe Hennessy, Hogan Yancey and Joe Schrall were the outfielders. Krug, Sharpe and others on this club went up to the big leagues.
Ashenback and the owners of the Scranton team could not agree upon salary terms for 1907 and Ash was given his release. Hank Ramsey, who had made quite a name for himself as manager of Hudson River League teams, succeeded him. Zeimer, Shortell, MacDougal, Polchow and Clark were held over by Ramsey from the 1906 flag winner. He brought Harry McArdle, Beckendorf and George Schultz here. Ramsey lasted one season.
Malachi Kittredge, a former National League catcher, was at the helm at the beginning of the 1908 season. Mr. Coleman was the sole owner of the team that year, having bought out the Barnes interest. A short time later, Mr. Barnes died. Kittredge won a pennant hands down. Beckendorf did the catching and was later sold to Detroit.. Elmer Steele, Jim Vaughn, later with the Cubs; Lefty Kellogg, later sold to the Philadelphia Americans; Joe Bills and George Schultz were Kitt's hurlers. Ben Houser, who went to the Athletics, played first base; Charley Moran was on second; Zeimer remained at short; Silver Groh played "third until he broke his arm in a fight with Peartree of the Barons, and then, Madigan, an outfielder, went to , third. Frey Eley, Jocko Halligan, Doc Graham and Robertson played in the outfield.
Gus Zeimer managed Coleman's Scranton club of 1909 when the team suffered a poor season, and after the close of the schedule, Zeimer went to the Binghamton club after having been with the Miners since 1904.
Monte Cross was Coleman's manager In 1910 and the Miners gave the Barons, who won the pennant, a stiff fight down to the last game. With a star first baseman. Cross would have copped the bunting. Jack Himes played the initial sack after Chick Staley, a classy guardian, jumped the club a week after the opening. Some of the players on the 1910 team were: George Chalmers, Bert Humphries, Eddie McDonough, Jason Kirke, Warren Miller and Jimmy Jackson. Cross also managed the club in 1911, but he had lost Kirke, Miller, Humphries, McDonough and Chalmers.
The season of 1912 found Buck Freeman in charge of the Miners. Freeman had the greatest pitching staff ever assembled on one team in Scranton. George Pierce and Ensign Cottrell, both of whom went to the big leagues the following season, gave him two wonderful southpaws. To work wifh the left-handers he had Festus Higgins, when the Minooka idol was at his very best, and Teddy Cathers, when Cathers was good. Al Hines was the fifth man but he hardly got a chance to work. The hurlers could hit and pitch, but they did not have very good backing. Tom (Finners) Quinlan and Chick Shorten got their real professional start with this team, having been signed on advice of Dr. P. H. Walker. Quinlan made good and Shorten failed, but when the latter got away from the fans who were knocking him and went to Worcester he also made good and went on to the majors.
Dick Smith of Ironton, Pa., managed the Miners until July Fourth of the 1913 season. Bob Peterson, who succeeded him. lasted but ten days and Johnny Kelly, a Baltimore outfielder, finished the season as manager. Before the start of the 1914 season, first Dr. P. H. Walker and Robert W. Allen and later William G. O'Malley bought shares of Scranton team stock from Mr. Coleman. Johnny Kelly managed the Miners until August, when Bill Coughlin, Pine Brook resident who had been let go as a third baseman by Kelly, was signed to manage from the bench. The following season, 1915, Eddie Coleman retired from the Scranton Baseball Association and Mr. Allen was elected president, he having bought Mr. Coleman's stock. Coughlin then managed the Miners for several seasons.
Director of Present Ball Club and Stadium
Mr. Coleman never lost interest in baseball, and when Edward F. Kirschner, of Hazleton, transferred his Mountain City franchise here for the 1939 season in the Class A Eastern League, he became one of the ten original directors. His knowledge of the national pastime and experience made him an active figure in all business sessions and promotions by the group of civic minded gentlemen who gave the city the regular season pennant and the Governor Cup playoff series championship that year. And Scranton's winning the pennant again in the 1940 campaign more than pleased him.
A leader in all movements to build a Scranton Stadium or to better playing fields for professional and amateur diamond performers, Mr. Coleman was one of the first to take off his coat and go to work on the stadium plans. And he devoted unlimited time and money in making the present home of the Scranton Red Sox club the finest minor league field in the country - a plant that will stand as a monument to him and his fellow directors. As a director of the Scranton Stadium, Inc., Mr. Coleman waa a daily visitor to the scene during the building operations. Unfortunately ill health kept him away from the ball park since the opening Scranton-Wilkes-Barre game in the 1941 season, when he looked on from his automobile parked outside the right field fence.
Mr. Coleman was personally known by more sports celebrities than sny coal region resident. Entertaining them and his friends at his home was a pleasant hobby. On many occasions, Jack Dempsey, during his reign as world's heavyweight fistic champion; Connie Mack, venerable manager of the Philadelphia Athletics; Joe McCarthy, who piloted the New York Yankees to five world series championships; Bill (Derby Day) Clymer and many others were his honored guests.
There are now and will be many fine baseball leaders and sportsmen, but there was only one Eddie Coleman. He'll live with us in memory, if not in body. My sympathy to the good and devoted Mrs. Coleman.
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EDWARD J. COLEMAN MEMORIAL EDITORIAL
The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942 pg 4
Edward J. Coleman Sportsman, public official and businessman, Edward J. Coleman was one of the best known and popular figures in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Sheriff Coleman, as he was familiarly known, had many friendships among the leading sportsmen of the country, including, Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Joe McCarthy, Charles Francis Coe, the late Hughie Jennings, the late John McGraw and others.
Sheriff Coleman was owner of the Scranton baseball team which won its first pennant in 1906. He brought the best of baseball talent to Scranton. He maintained his interest in the game always and was a regular patron of the annual Baseball Writers' dinner in New York.
As a young man, Mr. Coleman served as a councilman in both branches, select and common, and also was elected alderman. In later years, he was elected county treasurer and later sheriff of Lackawanna County, ably discharging the duties of both offices.
A traveler, Mr. Coleman visited many parts of the world and his accounts of his travels were a rare treat. He was a delightful host and enjoyed having friends partake of his hospitality. A native of Scranton, Mr. Coleman lived here all his life, and was an enthusiastic booster of the region. It was a habit with him to brighten the lives of those he met and his memory will be cherished by the many who shared happy moments with him.
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Scranton Times, Feb. 28, 1942, pg. 12
THE SPORTSCOPE - JOE M. BUTLER
Edward (Red) Coleman, Lackawanna County deputy sheriff, star performer and captain of University of Scranton basketball teams and for several seasons head coach of the Purple courtmen, lost his greatest admirer in the death on Thursday of his uncle, Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and grand sportsman.
Mr. Coleman never missed watching a Tomcat cage contest, at home or on away courts, until ill health forced him to the sidelines.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942, pg 12
HATCHIN' "EM OUT BY CHIC FELDMAN
'Sheriff' Good Sport Right to Very End (E.J. Coleman)
Although all of his close friends had steeled themselves for the sad news, it was nevertheless a staggering shock to return from Stroud and learn that the "old sheriff" was gone. Had been "called out" during the course of the game.
It isn't necessary to tell even the newest arrival who the "old sheriff" was because down through the years Ed J. Coleman had been an individualist rightfully entitled to the appellation of: "Scranton's best walking advertisement." It wasn't merely a title bestowed by professional boosters, even if the "old sheriff" had thousands of the latter. Rather it was a richly earned tag, dating back well beyond a third of a century.
Scranton, for example, had no baseball representation when Coleman and John Barnes bought the JAGS and gave us New York State League a pennant in 1906. Also another in 1908. Unlike this era, it cost money to sponsor a ball club. The attendance was meager; admission fee one half of the present half dollar, and salaries just as high.
"Diamond Ed," as Coleman was known far and wide because he wore a studded horse shoe tie pin, bowed out at the start of World War I. But he never missed a sporting event worthwhile, from the annual Series to the heavyweight championship bouts. His Oak Restaurant became a mecca for the mob, and Coleman's political popularity soared.
When the Quinns moved the Scranton franchise to Hartford, one of the first to volunteer to finance another team was the "old sheriff." He also plugged the stadium proposition, even if then 70 years of age and in none the best of health. Of such in noble stuff was Coleman made and to say that Sportdom will be poorer for his passing is hardly beginning to estimate our loss. Yet is all one can think of in an hour such as this, when a heavy heart and dulled mind are unable to make contact.
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The Scranton Tribune, Oct. 25, 1912, pg. 2
E. J. COLEMAN APPOINTED ALDERMAN BY GOVERNOR
E. J. Coleman, owner of the Scranton base ball club, has been appointed alderman of the Sixteenth ward to succeed Michael J. Ruddy, who resigned.
Word was received from Harrisburg yesterday morning confirming the report. The appointment is until after the election next Spring.
The appointment was made by Governor John K. Tener. Mr. Coleman fills a vacancy as alderman that practically existed since the last general election, as Mr. Ruddy has been in ill health for the past year or more.
Mr. Coleman is one of the most popular men in the city and is probably known to more people than any other resident. His appointment brings him the congratulations of his friends and it is assured that he will give a creditable administration of the affairs of the alderman's office. He formerly served as a select councilman from the Sixteenth ward and was active in the interest of his constituents, introducing several good measures for their benefit.
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Edward J. Coleman grew up on South Washington Ave. in the Flats Section of South Scranton. His father, Owen, was a blacksmith. He died in about 1881. Below are summaries of the 1870 and 1880 US Censuses. Edward is listed in the 1870 Census as 1 year old. In the 1880 Census, he was listed as 11 years old. He was born in March 1869. His birth year is sometimes reported as 1870.
Owen Coleman
in the 1870 United States Federal Census ( taken July 25, 1870)
Name: Owen Coleman
Age in 1870: 33
Birth Year: abt 1837
Birthplace: Ireland
Dwelling Number: 29
Home in 1870: Scranton Ward 9, Luzerne, Pennsylvania
330 S. Washington Ave
Gender: Male
Post Office: Scranton
Occupation: Blacksmith
Father of Foreign Birth: Y
Mother of Foreign Birth: Y
Male Citizen over 21: Y
Personal Estate Value: 300
Real Estate Value: 1000
Inferred Spouse: Bridget Coleman
Inferred Children: James Coleman
Mary Coleman
Edward Coleman
Name Age
Owen Coleman 33 Blacksmith
Bridget Coleman 32 Wife (maiden name O'Donnell)
James Coleman 6 Son
Mary Coleman 2 Daughter
Edward Coleman 1 month Son
Andrew Cosgrove 33 Blacksmith
Jame Duffey 28 Laborer
Peter Gallagher 30 Laborer
Patrick Farrel l 29 Laborer
William Tuck 31 Laborer
Ann O'Donnell 73 Laborer sister of Bridget?
Mary Garrity 30 Laborer
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Owen Coleman
in the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Owen Coleman
Residence Year: 1870
Street address: S. Washington Ave
Residence Place: Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
Occupation: Blacksmith in car shop
Publication Title: Scranton, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1870
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Owen Coleman
in the 1880 United States Federal Census (taken on June 2, 1880)
Name: Owen Coleman
Age: 35
Birth Date: Abt 1845
Birthplace: Ireland
Home in 1880: Scranton, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania, USA
Street: S. Washington Avenue
House Number: 330
Dwelling Number: 43
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Bridget Coleman
Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
Occupation: Blacksmith
Name Age
Owen Coleman 35 Blacksmith
Bridget Coleman 32 Wife (O'Donnell)
James Coleman 16 Son
Mary E. Coleman 13 Daughter
Edward Coleman 11 Son
Michael Coleman 2 Son
Eugene Coleman 5 months Son (b Dec 1879)
EDWARD J. COLEMAN (1869-1942) OBITUARIES, EDITORIALS, SPORTS COLUMNS
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The Scranton Times, Feb. 27, 1942, pages 3 and 29
EDWARD J. COLEMAN DIES AFTER LENGTHY ILLNESS
Former Sheriff and County Treasurer, a Lifelong Resident of City
Was Colorful Figure In Political, Sporting, Business and Fraternal Circles
Funeral Monday Morning.
Former Sheriff Edward J. Coleman, a lifelong resident of this city and one of the most colorful figures in the community's political, sporting, business and fraternal circles died last night at 9 o'clock at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue. Had he lived until March 19, he would have observed his seventy-third birthday.
Death came after a prolonged Illness. The former sheriff had been In falling health for months and for a long time had been unable to leave his residence in the Hill section. Some months ago he underwent an operation at the Moses Taylor Hospital and rallied for a time. Despite his long siege of sickness, Mr. Coleman almost to the last was his customary jolly and Jovial self and enjoyed visits with friends. He had been confined to bed but a few weeks.
Eddie Coleman, as he was popularly known, was one of the best known men in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Word of his death was received with genuine regret on the part of thousands of his friends from all walks of life throughout Lackawanna Valley.
Mr. Coleman, who until a few years ago was proprietor of the Oak Restaurant, 335 Adam Avenue, made his way from a humble beginning as a breaker boy in the Bellevue Colliery, to a spot which ranked him as one of the outstanding men of the anthracite region.
WAS SON OF MERCHANT
Born in Scranton on March 19. 1869. the son of the late Owen and Bridget Coleman, who once ran a grocery store in the Flats Section, Mr. Coleman was educated in the public schools. One of his first jobs was that of a water boy for the Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company and he later became a breaker boy and apprentice core maker. For a number of years, Mr. Coleman an worked as a salesman for the Rohrwasser Baking Company. Penn Avenue, and in this capacity became widely known. In 1916 he opened the Oak Restaurant and, except for short intervals when he entrusted the active management to others (artist, P. W. Costello & boxer, Tommy Connors), remained in charge of the business until he disposed of his interests in the summer of 1940. His undertaking was successful and the Oak was one of the city's finest restaurants.
In his youth Mr. Coleman was an athlete and at eighteen years of age he won an all-around championship at the Scranton Y. M. C. A. Pictures of championship teams, on which he starred both in track and field events, still grace the walls of the Y. M. C. A. Building. He was a rugged, well preserved man who walked with a brisk step even when he was far past the sixty-year mark, and it was a rare thing for him to be away from his office or business because of illness.
On April 8, 1926, Mr. Coleman was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Rohrwasser, the daughter of the late Joseph and Sophia Rohrwasser of Scranton. The ceremony took place In Philadelphia. The late Mr. Rohrwasser was widely known in the city for more than a half century as a baker with a thriving business on Penn Avenue.
WAS WORLD TRAVELER
Mr. Coleman was fond of travel. He frequently attended national political conventions and conventions of sheriff and police officials in distant cities. In 1926 he and Mrs, Coleman took a trip around the world for their honeymoon and were out of the city for many months. While on the voyage, the Colemans stopped at many islands in the Pacific Ocean, visited the interior of China and Japan, crossed the Sahara Desert, traveled through Egypt, had an audience with the late Pope Pius XI and toured many other lands.
Despite his physical condition in late weeks, Mr. Coleman carefully followed all news and radio reports of World War II, frequently studying a globe or map to watch the Pacific maneuvers of American and other United Nations' forces.
Mr. Coleman was not only a participant but an ardent promoter and booster of practically all organized sports, and as a keen follower of athletic diversion he attained nation-wide prominence. He traveled to many distant points to witness championship fights and other major sports contests and he seldom missed a world series baseball game.
On July 12, 1904, Mr. Coleman and the late John Barnes, then owner of the Brunswick Hotel on Spruce Street, purchased a 50-50 partnership in the Scranton franchise in the old New York State Baseball League. Players of the Schenectady, N. Y team were transferred here and Garry was retained as manager.
BROUGHT ASHENBACH HERE
Garry stayed on as club skipper until midseason of 1905, when Messrs. Coleman and Barnes brought Eddie Ashenbach here, and In the 1906 season Ashenbach. whose name later became a regional household word, brought Scranton its first league pennant. Ashenbach and the owner could not agree on financial terms for 1907 and Hank Ramsey managed the local team that season. Mr. Coleman became the sole owner at the start of the 1908 season. He engaged Malachi Kittredge as manager and Scranton again copped the New York State circuit flag in easy fashion. Mr. Coleman owned and operated the Scranton club in succeeding seasons until 1914. when he sold stock to Dr. P. H. Walker, Robert W. Allen and William G. O'Malley. The next year Mr. Coleman retired from baseball, selling his stock to Mr. Allen.
Scranton was without a team in organized baseball in 1938, and, when Edward F. Kirschner, of Hazleton, transferred the Mountain City franchise here for the 1939 campaign in the Class A Eastern League, Mr. Coleman became one of the ten original directors. And when the local diamond owners discussed the building of the Dunmore Stadium, now one of the finest minor league parks in the country, he was one of the early and strong supporters of the new athletic project. During the last three years Mr. Coleman devoted time and money to his duties as an officer and director of the baseball team and stadium corporation and was eagerly looking forward to the 1942 season.
Mr. Coleman was a friend of Connie Mack, manager of the Philadelphia Athletics; Joe McCarthy, pilot of the New York Yankees, and Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion of the world, and many other sports world celebrities. On numerous occasions Dempsey, during the time he held the title and afterward, was a guest at the Coleman home. At dinners of sport writers in New York and Philadelphia, Coleman always shared the spotlight with other famed sportsmen.
HELD PUBLIC OFFICE
Although it was in the realm of sports that Mr. Coleman attained much prominence, he was equally well known in political circles. He was a Democrat. His first venture into politics was as a member of the common council from the Sixteenth Ward. He served two years in common council and two years in the select council during the time when the city was under the bicarmeral system of government. He also served as alderman of the Sixteenth Ward by appointment of Gov. John K. Tener, for the unexpired term of the late Alderman Michael Ruddy.
Mr. Coleman's first bid for a county office was made in 1931 and it was a successful one. He captured both the Republican and Democratic nominations for county treasurer - this was prior to the enactment of the law making it impossible for candidates to seek more than one party nomination - and he served in that office from 1932 to 1935, inclusive.
Prevented by statutory requirements from seeking a second consecutive term as county treasurer, Mr. Coleman in 1935 receivld the Democratic nomination for sheriff and went on to victory with his Democratic running mates that year. His services as chief peace officer of the county were performed with credit to himself and his staff and the sheriff's office, under his direction. enjoyed a reputation for the courtesies extended to lawyers and litigants alike. In 1939 Mr. Coleman sought thea Democratic nomination for county treasurer but lost out to Joseph A. Linnen, the incumbent treasurer.
Mr. Coleman was never happier than when playing host to a gathering of friends, either at his home or elsewhere. His rabbit and Christmas dinners, held each year at th Coleman home for groups of aquaintances, and the outings he presided over at the Coleman summer home at Lake Winola or at the Coleman farm in Scott Township each year, provided him with happy opportunities to relish his role as the perfect host
FRIEND OF THE NEEDY
Generous to a fault, Mr. Coleman was in the forefront of all movements intended to assist his less fortunate fellow men. His personal charities knew no bounds and he extended a helping hand to countless numbers of needy people.
Few people in the region were more active in fraternal or social circles than Mr. Coleman. He was especially active in the affairs of Scranton Lodge. No. 123, Protective Order of Elks, and Scranton Aerie, No. 314, Fraternal Order of Eagles, having attended numerous state and national conventions of both organizations. He was also a member of the Order of Red Men, the Knights of Columbus, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County (formerly the Irish-Amerlcan Society), the Sportsmen's League of Pennsylvania. the Scranton Liederkranz and many other organizations. In all organizations he held office at one time or another. Mr. Coleman was also a member of the Scranton Chamber of Commerce and usually went on the annual good-will tours of that organization. He was a member of St. Peter's Cathedral parish.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Coleman is survived by one brother, Eugene. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The body may be viewed this evening from 5 to 11 oclock, tomorrow afternoon from 1 to 5 o'clock and from 7 to 11 o'clock tomorrow night, and Sunday from 11 o'clock in the morning until 11 o'clock at night. Friends are requested to omit flowers.
The funeral will take place Monday morning with a solemn high mass of requiem in St. Peter's Cathedral at 9:30 oclock. Interment will be in Dunmore Cemetery.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 27, 1942, pages 3 and 12
EDWARD J. COLEMAN, EX-SHERIFF, DIES AT 72
Long Illness Fatal To Sportsman and Leader in Politics
Edward J. Coleman, one of the region's most prominent sportsmen and an outstanding Democratic political leader for nearly a half century, died at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue, at 9 oclock last night, his 72nd year.
Mr. Coleman had been in falling health the past several months. His condition was such as to confine him to his home during the past 10 months. His death had been momentarily expected for three or four days before he succumbed.
Mr. Coleman served as sheriff, county treasurer, alderman and as a member of the City Council. His affiliation with the Democratic party extended back to the days of his youth and remained unbroken during the ensuing 50 years.
NATIVE OF SCRANTON
Mr. Coleman was born in this city on March 16, 1869. He was identified with the Rohrwasser Bakery, located on Penn Avenue in the 1890s and at the turn of the century.
Active in sports, Mr. Coleman took over the franchise of the Scranton baseball club, New York State League, in 1904. His team won the city's first pennant. He disposed of his diamond interests in 1914.
Two years later he opened the Oak Cafe, Adams Avenue, which he conducted for more than 10 years before selling it. During this period the cafe was the gathering place for figures in the sports world, particularly those of boxing and baseball.
[Scranton artist P. W. Costello (1866-1935) was a friend of Ed Coleman. The walls were lined with his pen & ink drawings of baseball players, stage stars, writers, poets and political figures. Retired boxer and Bellevue native, Tommy Connors, bought the Oak Cafe from Ed Coleman in 1940 and it became a favorite night spot for boxing fans].
Mr. Coleman first aspired for office over 40 years ago when he was elected to both the Common and Select Council from the 16th Ward under the old bicameral system which was replaced by the commission plan of five elected at large, in 1911.
He later served as alderman of the 16th Ward by appointment of former Governor John K. Tener.
In 1931 he surprised the political-minded of Lackawanna County by capturing both the Republican and Democratic nominations for treasurer. Four years later he was the Democratic nominee for sheriff and won out in the general election.
From the time he attained his majority, Mr. Coleman was known far and wide in sports circles. There were but few major ring contests in the past four decades that he did not attend.
His greatest love was baseball. He frequently traveled to New York and Philadelphia in pursuit of the diamond sport and was an intimate friend of the late John McGraw, the late Hughey Jennings, Connie Mack, Bill Coughlin, Cobb, Babe Ruth and other baseball notables of the past and present.
The walls of the Oak Cafe are adorned with large pen & ink drawings, created by Scranton artist P. W. Costello, of the most prominent in sports and theatre. Included in the collection are Harry Lauder, James J. Corbett and dozens more.
WELCOMED FAMED VISITORS
No reception committee, civic or fraternal, was complete without Mr. Coleman. He was in the front ranks when Al Smith, Jimmy Walker, Governor Curley, John Boles and other great personages came to the city.
Mr. Coleman frequently entertained visiting popular sports figures at his home. Jack Dempsey and Charles Francis Coe, noted author, were his guests back in 1931. Coe at the time was penning a life history of Dempsey. When it appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, several paragraphs were devoted to Mr. Coleman's hospitality and to Fred K. Derby, a close friend of Mr. Coleman, who was mayor at that time.
The former sheriff managed and played with one of the region's best teams during the 1890s. It was the Scranton Team, with nine men on the floor. Three guards, three centers and three forwards made up a court club in those days.
Mr. Coleman was a great globetrotter. He made countless trips to the West, Canada and to South American countries. He made two world-wide combination steamship and railroad journeys.
Mr. Coleman attended every World Series game since 1904, when the championship matches were inaugurated, until the 1940 classic between Cincinnati and Detroit. He was unable to take in the 1941 series because of the illness which resulted in his death.
He set aside one day annually every Summer to entertain Scranton newspapermen and friends at his Lake Winola Summer home. These affairs were looked forward to eagerly by reporters and contributed to Mr. Coleman's great reputation as an excellent host.
Mr. Coleman leaves his wife, the former Josephine Rohrwasser, and a brother, Eugene.
Arrangements by Eugene Cusick. The body may be viewed tonight from 5 to 11 p. m. tomorrow from 1 to 5 and 7 to 11 p. m. and Sunday from 11 a. m. to 11 p.m. The funeral will take place Monday at a time to be announced. Friends have been asked to kindly omit flowers.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942, pg. 9
Edward J. Coleman's Funeral on Monday
The funeral of Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and county treasurer, will take place Monday from his home, 724 North Webster Avenue. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a. m. in St. Peter's Cathedral. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery. The body may be viewed today from 1 to 5 and from 7 to 11 p. m. and tomorrow from 11 a. m. to 11 p. m. Arrangements by Gene Cusick.
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The Scranton Tribune, March 3, 1942, pg. 17
Many at Funeral of E. J. Coleman; Mass Celebrated at St. Peter's Cathedral
The funeral of Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and county treasurer, was held yesterday from his home, 724 North Webster Avenue, and was largely attended. Msgr. Martin J. OConnor was celebrant of a mass in St. Peter's Cathedral. The Rev. Francis Durkin was deacon, and the Rev. Edward Collins, subdeacon.
Interment, Dunmore Cemetery, where Msgr. Walter Gorman, Father Durkin and the Rev. William Burchel, conducted committal services. Msgr. John J. Vaughan, chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, led a group of Knights in prayer. Delegations also were present from the Scranton Llederkranz and the Elks.
Honorary casket bearers were: Judge M. J. Eagen, Sen. E. J. Coleman, Thomas H. Richardson, president of the Eastern Baseball League; Attorney Carton M. O'Malley, Henry N. Atherton, Kenneth J. O'Brien, Maj. John A. Hart, Jack Davis, E. P. Dietrick, William R. Lynett, Joseph Lawler, Sheriff Joseph B. Shaute, County Commissioners M. F. Lawler and W. J. Geiger, Joseph M. Butler, James T. Hanlon, Sterling A. Riker, Walter J. O'Malley, Attorney Frank J. McDonnell, John J. Loftus, P. F. Cusick, P. F. Calpin, Peter McDonough, Thomas J. Connors, Matt Cary, Charles Dougherty, John Greiner Jr., and James Reap.
Active casket bearers were: August Possanza, Thomas F. Ferguson, Michael J. McNally, Joseph P. O'Malley, Edward H.. Degan, Ferdinand Chamoni, James Devaney and Edward J. Gerrity.
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The Scranton Times, Feb 27, 1942 pages 26 and 27
THE SPORTSCOPE – JOE M. BUTLER
Sportsdom Mourns Death of Edward J. Coleman
The Great Umpire, whose decisions are never challenged or overruled, called last night and Edward J. Coleman, champion athlete, a successful business man, Lackawanna County official for eight years, owner and influential supporter of baseball teams and a grand sportsman all his life, answered. After a prolonged illness, a courageous battle against overwhelming odds, albeit a losing fight, the end came at 9 o'clock at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue.
Sheriff Ed, as he was popularly known, was deeply interested in all sports and never refused an invitation to furnish the official touch of his office to any sport event or affair, even when he quite justifiably could have said "No" without incurring resentment. He did not limit his presence to the throwing out of the first ball of the baseball season. He sponsored men and women bowling teams, rolled the first ball to open annual championship pin tournaments promoted by this newspaper and tossed up the first ball to inaugurate basketball campaigns. Mr. Coleman, like most of the prominent men of Scranton who have grown up with the city, took pride in Scranton and all its activities, not the least of which were its athletic triumphs.
It was not difficult to get acquainted with Mr. Coleman. His office and home were open at all times to every one. Celebrities visited him. So did those who competed in a small way. All were welcome, and men, women and children, too, who greatly admired him, will find it hard to believe - that his cheerful smile and friendly salutations will be seen and heard no more. Fair play was Mr. Coleman's motto, but he wanted to see the little fellow, as well as those who bore big names in sportsdom, triumph in clean, hard fought, manly competition. Sitting with the writer at hundreds of sporting events, Sheriff Ed always impressed me that he had the quaint idea that "if you can't take it - you don't belong," and that another simple motto was "a poor way to inspire confidence is to start it with an excuse."
Mr. Coleman had long been recognized as Scranton's good-will ambassador at not only regional but national athletic events and at social functions where sports celebrities gathered. He missed but few championship fistic battles wherever staged. At baseball world series games in all sections of the country, the former sheriff - sporting well tailored toggery, cane, diamond stickpin and big elk tooth - could be seen heading the delegation of local fans. For years be missed few baseball and sporting writers' dinners in New York, Philadelphia and other cities.
His Eleven-Year Reign In Old New York State League
Baseball was the game dearest to the heart of Mr. Coleman and, recalling the many, many chats we've had together on his eleven-year ownership regime, I know Eddie would relish putting on comfortable slippers, reclining in an easy chair and reminiscing into the night on his teams, managers and players from 1904 to the end of the 1914 season tn the old New York State League.
Scranton had no league baseball in 1901. In 1902 Scranton operated together with Williamsport, Lebanon, Wilkes-Barre, Reading and Lancaster in the Pennsylvania State League. The city was again without a club in 1903. Along in July 1904, the Schenectady, N. Y team of the New York State League was in financial straits and President John H. Farrell came to Scranton to try and induce local men to take the club. He interviewed many, offering them the franchise and players if they would but pay the players back salaries and their transportation from Schenecetady to Scranton. John Barnes, then owner of the Brunswick Hotel, Spruce Street, and Mr. Coleman, finally agreed to go along as owners of the team on a fifty-fifty basis. The club was officially turned over to Coleman and Barnes on July 12, 1904. The following year, Wilkes-Barre was admitted to the league, getting the Illion, N. Y franchise. Jimmy Garry, skipper of the Schenectady team, was retained as manager of the Miners, and players on his roster included Bill Schmink, Gus Zeimer, Danny Coogan, Fred Betts, Henry Gettig, Sandy MacDougal, Eddie Shortell, Larry Hannifan, Bill Bannon and others. Garry managed the local team until midseason of 1905, when Edward Ashenback came here to manage. A notable feat of the Ashenback club in the 1905 season was to beat Wilkes-Barre on the last day of the season in Minooka Park, a defeat knocking the Barons out of the pennant.
Ashenback brought Scranton its first league pennant in 1906, having a swell club. He had Wilkie Clark and Andy Roth as catchers; Chappie, MacDougal, Larry Hannifan, Polly Polchow and Ernest Murray ss pitcher; Bud Sharpe was on first base, Eddie Shortell remained at second and Gus Zeimer at short, Heinie Krug covered third and Doc Graham, Joe Hennessy, Hogan Yancey and Joe Schrall were the outfielders. Krug, Sharpe and others on this club went up to the big leagues.
Ashenback and the owners of the Scranton team could not agree upon salary terms for 1907 and Ash was given his release. Hank Ramsey, who had made quite a name for himself as manager of Hudson River League teams, succeeded him. Zeimer, Shortell, MacDougal, Polchow and Clark were held over by Ramsey from the 1906 flag winner. He brought Harry McArdle, Beckendorf and George Schultz here. Ramsey lasted one season.
Malachi Kittredge, a former National League catcher, was at the helm at the beginning of the 1908 season. Mr. Coleman was the sole owner of the team that year, having bought out the Barnes interest. A short time later, Mr. Barnes died. Kittredge won a pennant hands down. Beckendorf did the catching and was later sold to Detroit.. Elmer Steele, Jim Vaughn, later with the Cubs; Lefty Kellogg, later sold to the Philadelphia Americans; Joe Bills and George Schultz were Kitt's hurlers. Ben Houser, who went to the Athletics, played first base; Charley Moran was on second; Zeimer remained at short; Silver Groh played "third until he broke his arm in a fight with Peartree of the Barons, and then, Madigan, an outfielder, went to , third. Frey Eley, Jocko Halligan, Doc Graham and Robertson played in the outfield.
Gus Zeimer managed Coleman's Scranton club of 1909 when the team suffered a poor season, and after the close of the schedule, Zeimer went to the Binghamton club after having been with the Miners since 1904.
Monte Cross was Coleman's manager In 1910 and the Miners gave the Barons, who won the pennant, a stiff fight down to the last game. With a star first baseman. Cross would have copped the bunting. Jack Himes played the initial sack after Chick Staley, a classy guardian, jumped the club a week after the opening. Some of the players on the 1910 team were: George Chalmers, Bert Humphries, Eddie McDonough, Jason Kirke, Warren Miller and Jimmy Jackson. Cross also managed the club in 1911, but he had lost Kirke, Miller, Humphries, McDonough and Chalmers.
The season of 1912 found Buck Freeman in charge of the Miners. Freeman had the greatest pitching staff ever assembled on one team in Scranton. George Pierce and Ensign Cottrell, both of whom went to the big leagues the following season, gave him two wonderful southpaws. To work wifh the left-handers he had Festus Higgins, when the Minooka idol was at his very best, and Teddy Cathers, when Cathers was good. Al Hines was the fifth man but he hardly got a chance to work. The hurlers could hit and pitch, but they did not have very good backing. Tom (Finners) Quinlan and Chick Shorten got their real professional start with this team, having been signed on advice of Dr. P. H. Walker. Quinlan made good and Shorten failed, but when the latter got away from the fans who were knocking him and went to Worcester he also made good and went on to the majors.
Dick Smith of Ironton, Pa., managed the Miners until July Fourth of the 1913 season. Bob Peterson, who succeeded him. lasted but ten days and Johnny Kelly, a Baltimore outfielder, finished the season as manager. Before the start of the 1914 season, first Dr. P. H. Walker and Robert W. Allen and later William G. O'Malley bought shares of Scranton team stock from Mr. Coleman. Johnny Kelly managed the Miners until August, when Bill Coughlin, Pine Brook resident who had been let go as a third baseman by Kelly, was signed to manage from the bench. The following season, 1915, Eddie Coleman retired from the Scranton Baseball Association and Mr. Allen was elected president, he having bought Mr. Coleman's stock. Coughlin then managed the Miners for several seasons.
Director of Present Ball Club and Stadium
Mr. Coleman never lost interest in baseball, and when Edward F. Kirschner, of Hazleton, transferred his Mountain City franchise here for the 1939 season in the Class A Eastern League, he became one of the ten original directors. His knowledge of the national pastime and experience made him an active figure in all business sessions and promotions by the group of civic minded gentlemen who gave the city the regular season pennant and the Governor Cup playoff series championship that year. And Scranton's winning the pennant again in the 1940 campaign more than pleased him.
A leader in all movements to build a Scranton Stadium or to better playing fields for professional and amateur diamond performers, Mr. Coleman was one of the first to take off his coat and go to work on the stadium plans. And he devoted unlimited time and money in making the present home of the Scranton Red Sox club the finest minor league field in the country - a plant that will stand as a monument to him and his fellow directors. As a director of the Scranton Stadium, Inc., Mr. Coleman waa a daily visitor to the scene during the building operations. Unfortunately ill health kept him away from the ball park since the opening Scranton-Wilkes-Barre game in the 1941 season, when he looked on from his automobile parked outside the right field fence.
Mr. Coleman was personally known by more sports celebrities than sny coal region resident. Entertaining them and his friends at his home was a pleasant hobby. On many occasions, Jack Dempsey, during his reign as world's heavyweight fistic champion; Connie Mack, venerable manager of the Philadelphia Athletics; Joe McCarthy, who piloted the New York Yankees to five world series championships; Bill (Derby Day) Clymer and many others were his honored guests.
There are now and will be many fine baseball leaders and sportsmen, but there was only one Eddie Coleman. He'll live with us in memory, if not in body. My sympathy to the good and devoted Mrs. Coleman.
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EDWARD J. COLEMAN MEMORIAL EDITORIAL
The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942 pg 4
Edward J. Coleman Sportsman, public official and businessman, Edward J. Coleman was one of the best known and popular figures in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Sheriff Coleman, as he was familiarly known, had many friendships among the leading sportsmen of the country, including, Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Joe McCarthy, Charles Francis Coe, the late Hughie Jennings, the late John McGraw and others.
Sheriff Coleman was owner of the Scranton baseball team which won its first pennant in 1906. He brought the best of baseball talent to Scranton. He maintained his interest in the game always and was a regular patron of the annual Baseball Writers' dinner in New York.
As a young man, Mr. Coleman served as a councilman in both branches, select and common, and also was elected alderman. In later years, he was elected county treasurer and later sheriff of Lackawanna County, ably discharging the duties of both offices.
A traveler, Mr. Coleman visited many parts of the world and his accounts of his travels were a rare treat. He was a delightful host and enjoyed having friends partake of his hospitality. A native of Scranton, Mr. Coleman lived here all his life, and was an enthusiastic booster of the region. It was a habit with him to brighten the lives of those he met and his memory will be cherished by the many who shared happy moments with him.
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Scranton Times, Feb. 28, 1942, pg. 12
THE SPORTSCOPE - JOE M. BUTLER
Edward (Red) Coleman, Lackawanna County deputy sheriff, star performer and captain of University of Scranton basketball teams and for several seasons head coach of the Purple courtmen, lost his greatest admirer in the death on Thursday of his uncle, Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and grand sportsman.
Mr. Coleman never missed watching a Tomcat cage contest, at home or on away courts, until ill health forced him to the sidelines.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942, pg 12
HATCHIN' "EM OUT BY CHIC FELDMAN
'Sheriff' Good Sport Right to Very End (E.J. Coleman)
Although all of his close friends had steeled themselves for the sad news, it was nevertheless a staggering shock to return from Stroud and learn that the "old sheriff" was gone. Had been "called out" during the course of the game.
It isn't necessary to tell even the newest arrival who the "old sheriff" was because down through the years Ed J. Coleman had been an individualist rightfully entitled to the appellation of: "Scranton's best walking advertisement." It wasn't merely a title bestowed by professional boosters, even if the "old sheriff" had thousands of the latter. Rather it was a richly earned tag, dating back well beyond a third of a century.
Scranton, for example, had no baseball representation when Coleman and John Barnes bought the JAGS and gave us New York State League a pennant in 1906. Also another in 1908. Unlike this era, it cost money to sponsor a ball club. The attendance was meager; admission fee one half of the present half dollar, and salaries just as high.
"Diamond Ed," as Coleman was known far and wide because he wore a studded horse shoe tie pin, bowed out at the start of World War I. But he never missed a sporting event worthwhile, from the annual Series to the heavyweight championship bouts. His Oak Restaurant became a mecca for the mob, and Coleman's political popularity soared.
When the Quinns moved the Scranton franchise to Hartford, one of the first to volunteer to finance another team was the "old sheriff." He also plugged the stadium proposition, even if then 70 years of age and in none the best of health. Of such in noble stuff was Coleman made and to say that Sportdom will be poorer for his passing is hardly beginning to estimate our loss. Yet is all one can think of in an hour such as this, when a heavy heart and dulled mind are unable to make contact.
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The Scranton Tribune, Oct. 25, 1912, pg. 2
E. J. COLEMAN APPOINTED ALDERMAN BY GOVERNOR
E. J. Coleman, owner of the Scranton base ball club, has been appointed alderman of the Sixteenth ward to succeed Michael J. Ruddy, who resigned.
Word was received from Harrisburg yesterday morning confirming the report. The appointment is until after the election next Spring.
The appointment was made by Governor John K. Tener. Mr. Coleman fills a vacancy as alderman that practically existed since the last general election, as Mr. Ruddy has been in ill health for the past year or more.
Mr. Coleman is one of the most popular men in the city and is probably known to more people than any other resident. His appointment brings him the congratulations of his friends and it is assured that he will give a creditable administration of the affairs of the alderman's office. He formerly served as a select councilman from the Sixteenth ward and was active in the interest of his constituents, introducing several good measures for their benefit.
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Edward J. Coleman grew up on South Washington Ave. in the Flats Section of South Scranton. His father, Owen, was a blacksmith. He died in about 1881. Below are summaries of the 1870 and 1880 US Censuses. Edward is listed in the 1870 Census as 1 year old. In the 1880 Census, he was listed as 11 years old. He was born in March 1869. His birth year is sometimes reported as 1870.
Owen Coleman
in the 1870 United States Federal Census ( taken July 25, 1870)
Name: Owen Coleman
Age in 1870: 33
Birth Year: abt 1837
Birthplace: Ireland
Dwelling Number: 29
Home in 1870: Scranton Ward 9, Luzerne, Pennsylvania
330 S. Washington Ave
Gender: Male
Post Office: Scranton
Occupation: Blacksmith
Father of Foreign Birth: Y
Mother of Foreign Birth: Y
Male Citizen over 21: Y
Personal Estate Value: 300
Real Estate Value: 1000
Inferred Spouse: Bridget Coleman
Inferred Children: James Coleman
Mary Coleman
Edward Coleman
Name Age
Owen Coleman 33 Blacksmith
Bridget Coleman 32 Wife (maiden name O'Donnell)
James Coleman 6 Son
Mary Coleman 2 Daughter
Edward Coleman 1 month Son
Andrew Cosgrove 33 Blacksmith
Jame Duffey 28 Laborer
Peter Gallagher 30 Laborer
Patrick Farrel l 29 Laborer
William Tuck 31 Laborer
Ann O'Donnell 73 Laborer sister of Bridget?
Mary Garrity 30 Laborer
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Owen Coleman
in the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Owen Coleman
Residence Year: 1870
Street address: S. Washington Ave
Residence Place: Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
Occupation: Blacksmith in car shop
Publication Title: Scranton, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1870
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Owen Coleman
in the 1880 United States Federal Census (taken on June 2, 1880)
Name: Owen Coleman
Age: 35
Birth Date: Abt 1845
Birthplace: Ireland
Home in 1880: Scranton, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania, USA
Street: S. Washington Avenue
House Number: 330
Dwelling Number: 43
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Bridget Coleman
Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
Occupation: Blacksmith
Name Age
Owen Coleman 35 Blacksmith
Bridget Coleman 32 Wife (O'Donnell)
James Coleman 16 Son
Mary E. Coleman 13 Daughter
Edward Coleman 11 Son
Michael Coleman 2 Son
Eugene Coleman 5 months Son (b Dec 1879)
"Speak my name and I will live forever." - African proverb
EDWARD J. COLEMAN (1869-1942) OBITUARIES, EDITORIALS, SPORTS COLUMNS
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The Scranton Times, Feb. 27, 1942, pages 3 and 29
EDWARD J. COLEMAN DIES AFTER LENGTHY ILLNESS
Former Sheriff and County Treasurer, a Lifelong Resident of City
Was Colorful Figure In Political, Sporting, Business and Fraternal Circles
Funeral Monday Morning.
Former Sheriff Edward J. Coleman, a lifelong resident of this city and one of the most colorful figures in the community's political, sporting, business and fraternal circles died last night at 9 o'clock at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue. Had he lived until March 19, he would have observed his seventy-third birthday.
Death came after a prolonged Illness. The former sheriff had been In falling health for months and for a long time had been unable to leave his residence in the Hill section. Some months ago he underwent an operation at the Moses Taylor Hospital and rallied for a time. Despite his long siege of sickness, Mr. Coleman almost to the last was his customary jolly and Jovial self and enjoyed visits with friends. He had been confined to bed but a few weeks.
Eddie Coleman, as he was popularly known, was one of the best known men in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Word of his death was received with genuine regret on the part of thousands of his friends from all walks of life throughout Lackawanna Valley.
Mr. Coleman, who until a few years ago was proprietor of the Oak Restaurant, 335 Adam Avenue, made his way from a humble beginning as a breaker boy in the Bellevue Colliery, to a spot which ranked him as one of the outstanding men of the anthracite region.
WAS SON OF MERCHANT
Born in Scranton on March 19. 1869. the son of the late Owen and Bridget Coleman, who once ran a grocery store in the Flats Section, Mr. Coleman was educated in the public schools. One of his first jobs was that of a water boy for the Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company and he later became a breaker boy and apprentice core maker. For a number of years, Mr. Coleman an worked as a salesman for the Rohrwasser Baking Company. Penn Avenue, and in this capacity became widely known. In 1916 he opened the Oak Restaurant and, except for short intervals when he entrusted the active management to others (artist, P. W. Costello & boxer, Tommy Connors), remained in charge of the business until he disposed of his interests in the summer of 1940. His undertaking was successful and the Oak was one of the city's finest restaurants.
In his youth Mr. Coleman was an athlete and at eighteen years of age he won an all-around championship at the Scranton Y. M. C. A. Pictures of championship teams, on which he starred both in track and field events, still grace the walls of the Y. M. C. A. Building. He was a rugged, well preserved man who walked with a brisk step even when he was far past the sixty-year mark, and it was a rare thing for him to be away from his office or business because of illness.
On April 8, 1926, Mr. Coleman was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Rohrwasser, the daughter of the late Joseph and Sophia Rohrwasser of Scranton. The ceremony took place In Philadelphia. The late Mr. Rohrwasser was widely known in the city for more than a half century as a baker with a thriving business on Penn Avenue.
WAS WORLD TRAVELER
Mr. Coleman was fond of travel. He frequently attended national political conventions and conventions of sheriff and police officials in distant cities. In 1926 he and Mrs, Coleman took a trip around the world for their honeymoon and were out of the city for many months. While on the voyage, the Colemans stopped at many islands in the Pacific Ocean, visited the interior of China and Japan, crossed the Sahara Desert, traveled through Egypt, had an audience with the late Pope Pius XI and toured many other lands.
Despite his physical condition in late weeks, Mr. Coleman carefully followed all news and radio reports of World War II, frequently studying a globe or map to watch the Pacific maneuvers of American and other United Nations' forces.
Mr. Coleman was not only a participant but an ardent promoter and booster of practically all organized sports, and as a keen follower of athletic diversion he attained nation-wide prominence. He traveled to many distant points to witness championship fights and other major sports contests and he seldom missed a world series baseball game.
On July 12, 1904, Mr. Coleman and the late John Barnes, then owner of the Brunswick Hotel on Spruce Street, purchased a 50-50 partnership in the Scranton franchise in the old New York State Baseball League. Players of the Schenectady, N. Y team were transferred here and Garry was retained as manager.
BROUGHT ASHENBACH HERE
Garry stayed on as club skipper until midseason of 1905, when Messrs. Coleman and Barnes brought Eddie Ashenbach here, and In the 1906 season Ashenbach. whose name later became a regional household word, brought Scranton its first league pennant. Ashenbach and the owner could not agree on financial terms for 1907 and Hank Ramsey managed the local team that season. Mr. Coleman became the sole owner at the start of the 1908 season. He engaged Malachi Kittredge as manager and Scranton again copped the New York State circuit flag in easy fashion. Mr. Coleman owned and operated the Scranton club in succeeding seasons until 1914. when he sold stock to Dr. P. H. Walker, Robert W. Allen and William G. O'Malley. The next year Mr. Coleman retired from baseball, selling his stock to Mr. Allen.
Scranton was without a team in organized baseball in 1938, and, when Edward F. Kirschner, of Hazleton, transferred the Mountain City franchise here for the 1939 campaign in the Class A Eastern League, Mr. Coleman became one of the ten original directors. And when the local diamond owners discussed the building of the Dunmore Stadium, now one of the finest minor league parks in the country, he was one of the early and strong supporters of the new athletic project. During the last three years Mr. Coleman devoted time and money to his duties as an officer and director of the baseball team and stadium corporation and was eagerly looking forward to the 1942 season.
Mr. Coleman was a friend of Connie Mack, manager of the Philadelphia Athletics; Joe McCarthy, pilot of the New York Yankees, and Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion of the world, and many other sports world celebrities. On numerous occasions Dempsey, during the time he held the title and afterward, was a guest at the Coleman home. At dinners of sport writers in New York and Philadelphia, Coleman always shared the spotlight with other famed sportsmen.
HELD PUBLIC OFFICE
Although it was in the realm of sports that Mr. Coleman attained much prominence, he was equally well known in political circles. He was a Democrat. His first venture into politics was as a member of the common council from the Sixteenth Ward. He served two years in common council and two years in the select council during the time when the city was under the bicarmeral system of government. He also served as alderman of the Sixteenth Ward by appointment of Gov. John K. Tener, for the unexpired term of the late Alderman Michael Ruddy.
Mr. Coleman's first bid for a county office was made in 1931 and it was a successful one. He captured both the Republican and Democratic nominations for county treasurer - this was prior to the enactment of the law making it impossible for candidates to seek more than one party nomination - and he served in that office from 1932 to 1935, inclusive.
Prevented by statutory requirements from seeking a second consecutive term as county treasurer, Mr. Coleman in 1935 receivld the Democratic nomination for sheriff and went on to victory with his Democratic running mates that year. His services as chief peace officer of the county were performed with credit to himself and his staff and the sheriff's office, under his direction. enjoyed a reputation for the courtesies extended to lawyers and litigants alike. In 1939 Mr. Coleman sought thea Democratic nomination for county treasurer but lost out to Joseph A. Linnen, the incumbent treasurer.
Mr. Coleman was never happier than when playing host to a gathering of friends, either at his home or elsewhere. His rabbit and Christmas dinners, held each year at th Coleman home for groups of aquaintances, and the outings he presided over at the Coleman summer home at Lake Winola or at the Coleman farm in Scott Township each year, provided him with happy opportunities to relish his role as the perfect host
FRIEND OF THE NEEDY
Generous to a fault, Mr. Coleman was in the forefront of all movements intended to assist his less fortunate fellow men. His personal charities knew no bounds and he extended a helping hand to countless numbers of needy people.
Few people in the region were more active in fraternal or social circles than Mr. Coleman. He was especially active in the affairs of Scranton Lodge. No. 123, Protective Order of Elks, and Scranton Aerie, No. 314, Fraternal Order of Eagles, having attended numerous state and national conventions of both organizations. He was also a member of the Order of Red Men, the Knights of Columbus, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County (formerly the Irish-Amerlcan Society), the Sportsmen's League of Pennsylvania. the Scranton Liederkranz and many other organizations. In all organizations he held office at one time or another. Mr. Coleman was also a member of the Scranton Chamber of Commerce and usually went on the annual good-will tours of that organization. He was a member of St. Peter's Cathedral parish.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Coleman is survived by one brother, Eugene. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The body may be viewed this evening from 5 to 11 oclock, tomorrow afternoon from 1 to 5 o'clock and from 7 to 11 o'clock tomorrow night, and Sunday from 11 o'clock in the morning until 11 o'clock at night. Friends are requested to omit flowers.
The funeral will take place Monday morning with a solemn high mass of requiem in St. Peter's Cathedral at 9:30 oclock. Interment will be in Dunmore Cemetery.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 27, 1942, pages 3 and 12
EDWARD J. COLEMAN, EX-SHERIFF, DIES AT 72
Long Illness Fatal To Sportsman and Leader in Politics
Edward J. Coleman, one of the region's most prominent sportsmen and an outstanding Democratic political leader for nearly a half century, died at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue, at 9 oclock last night, his 72nd year.
Mr. Coleman had been in falling health the past several months. His condition was such as to confine him to his home during the past 10 months. His death had been momentarily expected for three or four days before he succumbed.
Mr. Coleman served as sheriff, county treasurer, alderman and as a member of the City Council. His affiliation with the Democratic party extended back to the days of his youth and remained unbroken during the ensuing 50 years.
NATIVE OF SCRANTON
Mr. Coleman was born in this city on March 16, 1869. He was identified with the Rohrwasser Bakery, located on Penn Avenue in the 1890s and at the turn of the century.
Active in sports, Mr. Coleman took over the franchise of the Scranton baseball club, New York State League, in 1904. His team won the city's first pennant. He disposed of his diamond interests in 1914.
Two years later he opened the Oak Cafe, Adams Avenue, which he conducted for more than 10 years before selling it. During this period the cafe was the gathering place for figures in the sports world, particularly those of boxing and baseball.
[Scranton artist P. W. Costello (1866-1935) was a friend of Ed Coleman. The walls were lined with his pen & ink drawings of baseball players, stage stars, writers, poets and political figures. Retired boxer and Bellevue native, Tommy Connors, bought the Oak Cafe from Ed Coleman in 1940 and it became a favorite night spot for boxing fans].
Mr. Coleman first aspired for office over 40 years ago when he was elected to both the Common and Select Council from the 16th Ward under the old bicameral system which was replaced by the commission plan of five elected at large, in 1911.
He later served as alderman of the 16th Ward by appointment of former Governor John K. Tener.
In 1931 he surprised the political-minded of Lackawanna County by capturing both the Republican and Democratic nominations for treasurer. Four years later he was the Democratic nominee for sheriff and won out in the general election.
From the time he attained his majority, Mr. Coleman was known far and wide in sports circles. There were but few major ring contests in the past four decades that he did not attend.
His greatest love was baseball. He frequently traveled to New York and Philadelphia in pursuit of the diamond sport and was an intimate friend of the late John McGraw, the late Hughey Jennings, Connie Mack, Bill Coughlin, Cobb, Babe Ruth and other baseball notables of the past and present.
The walls of the Oak Cafe are adorned with large pen & ink drawings, created by Scranton artist P. W. Costello, of the most prominent in sports and theatre. Included in the collection are Harry Lauder, James J. Corbett and dozens more.
WELCOMED FAMED VISITORS
No reception committee, civic or fraternal, was complete without Mr. Coleman. He was in the front ranks when Al Smith, Jimmy Walker, Governor Curley, John Boles and other great personages came to the city.
Mr. Coleman frequently entertained visiting popular sports figures at his home. Jack Dempsey and Charles Francis Coe, noted author, were his guests back in 1931. Coe at the time was penning a life history of Dempsey. When it appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, several paragraphs were devoted to Mr. Coleman's hospitality and to Fred K. Derby, a close friend of Mr. Coleman, who was mayor at that time.
The former sheriff managed and played with one of the region's best teams during the 1890s. It was the Scranton Team, with nine men on the floor. Three guards, three centers and three forwards made up a court club in those days.
Mr. Coleman was a great globetrotter. He made countless trips to the West, Canada and to South American countries. He made two world-wide combination steamship and railroad journeys.
Mr. Coleman attended every World Series game since 1904, when the championship matches were inaugurated, until the 1940 classic between Cincinnati and Detroit. He was unable to take in the 1941 series because of the illness which resulted in his death.
He set aside one day annually every Summer to entertain Scranton newspapermen and friends at his Lake Winola Summer home. These affairs were looked forward to eagerly by reporters and contributed to Mr. Coleman's great reputation as an excellent host.
Mr. Coleman leaves his wife, the former Josephine Rohrwasser, and a brother, Eugene.
Arrangements by Eugene Cusick. The body may be viewed tonight from 5 to 11 p. m. tomorrow from 1 to 5 and 7 to 11 p. m. and Sunday from 11 a. m. to 11 p.m. The funeral will take place Monday at a time to be announced. Friends have been asked to kindly omit flowers.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942, pg. 9
Edward J. Coleman's Funeral on Monday
The funeral of Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and county treasurer, will take place Monday from his home, 724 North Webster Avenue. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a. m. in St. Peter's Cathedral. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery. The body may be viewed today from 1 to 5 and from 7 to 11 p. m. and tomorrow from 11 a. m. to 11 p. m. Arrangements by Gene Cusick.
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The Scranton Tribune, March 3, 1942, pg. 17
Many at Funeral of E. J. Coleman; Mass Celebrated at St. Peter's Cathedral
The funeral of Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and county treasurer, was held yesterday from his home, 724 North Webster Avenue, and was largely attended. Msgr. Martin J. OConnor was celebrant of a mass in St. Peter's Cathedral. The Rev. Francis Durkin was deacon, and the Rev. Edward Collins, subdeacon.
Interment, Dunmore Cemetery, where Msgr. Walter Gorman, Father Durkin and the Rev. William Burchel, conducted committal services. Msgr. John J. Vaughan, chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, led a group of Knights in prayer. Delegations also were present from the Scranton Llederkranz and the Elks.
Honorary casket bearers were: Judge M. J. Eagen, Sen. E. J. Coleman, Thomas H. Richardson, president of the Eastern Baseball League; Attorney Carton M. O'Malley, Henry N. Atherton, Kenneth J. O'Brien, Maj. John A. Hart, Jack Davis, E. P. Dietrick, William R. Lynett, Joseph Lawler, Sheriff Joseph B. Shaute, County Commissioners M. F. Lawler and W. J. Geiger, Joseph M. Butler, James T. Hanlon, Sterling A. Riker, Walter J. O'Malley, Attorney Frank J. McDonnell, John J. Loftus, P. F. Cusick, P. F. Calpin, Peter McDonough, Thomas J. Connors, Matt Cary, Charles Dougherty, John Greiner Jr., and James Reap.
Active casket bearers were: August Possanza, Thomas F. Ferguson, Michael J. McNally, Joseph P. O'Malley, Edward H.. Degan, Ferdinand Chamoni, James Devaney and Edward J. Gerrity.
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The Scranton Times, Feb 27, 1942 pages 26 and 27
THE SPORTSCOPE – JOE M. BUTLER
Sportsdom Mourns Death of Edward J. Coleman
The Great Umpire, whose decisions are never challenged or overruled, called last night and Edward J. Coleman, champion athlete, a successful business man, Lackawanna County official for eight years, owner and influential supporter of baseball teams and a grand sportsman all his life, answered. After a prolonged illness, a courageous battle against overwhelming odds, albeit a losing fight, the end came at 9 o'clock at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue.
Sheriff Ed, as he was popularly known, was deeply interested in all sports and never refused an invitation to furnish the official touch of his office to any sport event or affair, even when he quite justifiably could have said "No" without incurring resentment. He did not limit his presence to the throwing out of the first ball of the baseball season. He sponsored men and women bowling teams, rolled the first ball to open annual championship pin tournaments promoted by this newspaper and tossed up the first ball to inaugurate basketball campaigns. Mr. Coleman, like most of the prominent men of Scranton who have grown up with the city, took pride in Scranton and all its activities, not the least of which were its athletic triumphs.
It was not difficult to get acquainted with Mr. Coleman. His office and home were open at all times to every one. Celebrities visited him. So did those who competed in a small way. All were welcome, and men, women and children, too, who greatly admired him, will find it hard to believe - that his cheerful smile and friendly salutations will be seen and heard no more. Fair play was Mr. Coleman's motto, but he wanted to see the little fellow, as well as those who bore big names in sportsdom, triumph in clean, hard fought, manly competition. Sitting with the writer at hundreds of sporting events, Sheriff Ed always impressed me that he had the quaint idea that "if you can't take it - you don't belong," and that another simple motto was "a poor way to inspire confidence is to start it with an excuse."
Mr. Coleman had long been recognized as Scranton's good-will ambassador at not only regional but national athletic events and at social functions where sports celebrities gathered. He missed but few championship fistic battles wherever staged. At baseball world series games in all sections of the country, the former sheriff - sporting well tailored toggery, cane, diamond stickpin and big elk tooth - could be seen heading the delegation of local fans. For years be missed few baseball and sporting writers' dinners in New York, Philadelphia and other cities.
His Eleven-Year Reign In Old New York State League
Baseball was the game dearest to the heart of Mr. Coleman and, recalling the many, many chats we've had together on his eleven-year ownership regime, I know Eddie would relish putting on comfortable slippers, reclining in an easy chair and reminiscing into the night on his teams, managers and players from 1904 to the end of the 1914 season tn the old New York State League.
Scranton had no league baseball in 1901. In 1902 Scranton operated together with Williamsport, Lebanon, Wilkes-Barre, Reading and Lancaster in the Pennsylvania State League. The city was again without a club in 1903. Along in July 1904, the Schenectady, N. Y team of the New York State League was in financial straits and President John H. Farrell came to Scranton to try and induce local men to take the club. He interviewed many, offering them the franchise and players if they would but pay the players back salaries and their transportation from Schenecetady to Scranton. John Barnes, then owner of the Brunswick Hotel, Spruce Street, and Mr. Coleman, finally agreed to go along as owners of the team on a fifty-fifty basis. The club was officially turned over to Coleman and Barnes on July 12, 1904. The following year, Wilkes-Barre was admitted to the league, getting the Illion, N. Y franchise. Jimmy Garry, skipper of the Schenectady team, was retained as manager of the Miners, and players on his roster included Bill Schmink, Gus Zeimer, Danny Coogan, Fred Betts, Henry Gettig, Sandy MacDougal, Eddie Shortell, Larry Hannifan, Bill Bannon and others. Garry managed the local team until midseason of 1905, when Edward Ashenback came here to manage. A notable feat of the Ashenback club in the 1905 season was to beat Wilkes-Barre on the last day of the season in Minooka Park, a defeat knocking the Barons out of the pennant.
Ashenback brought Scranton its first league pennant in 1906, having a swell club. He had Wilkie Clark and Andy Roth as catchers; Chappie, MacDougal, Larry Hannifan, Polly Polchow and Ernest Murray ss pitcher; Bud Sharpe was on first base, Eddie Shortell remained at second and Gus Zeimer at short, Heinie Krug covered third and Doc Graham, Joe Hennessy, Hogan Yancey and Joe Schrall were the outfielders. Krug, Sharpe and others on this club went up to the big leagues.
Ashenback and the owners of the Scranton team could not agree upon salary terms for 1907 and Ash was given his release. Hank Ramsey, who had made quite a name for himself as manager of Hudson River League teams, succeeded him. Zeimer, Shortell, MacDougal, Polchow and Clark were held over by Ramsey from the 1906 flag winner. He brought Harry McArdle, Beckendorf and George Schultz here. Ramsey lasted one season.
Malachi Kittredge, a former National League catcher, was at the helm at the beginning of the 1908 season. Mr. Coleman was the sole owner of the team that year, having bought out the Barnes interest. A short time later, Mr. Barnes died. Kittredge won a pennant hands down. Beckendorf did the catching and was later sold to Detroit.. Elmer Steele, Jim Vaughn, later with the Cubs; Lefty Kellogg, later sold to the Philadelphia Americans; Joe Bills and George Schultz were Kitt's hurlers. Ben Houser, who went to the Athletics, played first base; Charley Moran was on second; Zeimer remained at short; Silver Groh played "third until he broke his arm in a fight with Peartree of the Barons, and then, Madigan, an outfielder, went to , third. Frey Eley, Jocko Halligan, Doc Graham and Robertson played in the outfield.
Gus Zeimer managed Coleman's Scranton club of 1909 when the team suffered a poor season, and after the close of the schedule, Zeimer went to the Binghamton club after having been with the Miners since 1904.
Monte Cross was Coleman's manager In 1910 and the Miners gave the Barons, who won the pennant, a stiff fight down to the last game. With a star first baseman. Cross would have copped the bunting. Jack Himes played the initial sack after Chick Staley, a classy guardian, jumped the club a week after the opening. Some of the players on the 1910 team were: George Chalmers, Bert Humphries, Eddie McDonough, Jason Kirke, Warren Miller and Jimmy Jackson. Cross also managed the club in 1911, but he had lost Kirke, Miller, Humphries, McDonough and Chalmers.
The season of 1912 found Buck Freeman in charge of the Miners. Freeman had the greatest pitching staff ever assembled on one team in Scranton. George Pierce and Ensign Cottrell, both of whom went to the big leagues the following season, gave him two wonderful southpaws. To work wifh the left-handers he had Festus Higgins, when the Minooka idol was at his very best, and Teddy Cathers, when Cathers was good. Al Hines was the fifth man but he hardly got a chance to work. The hurlers could hit and pitch, but they did not have very good backing. Tom (Finners) Quinlan and Chick Shorten got their real professional start with this team, having been signed on advice of Dr. P. H. Walker. Quinlan made good and Shorten failed, but when the latter got away from the fans who were knocking him and went to Worcester he also made good and went on to the majors.
Dick Smith of Ironton, Pa., managed the Miners until July Fourth of the 1913 season. Bob Peterson, who succeeded him. lasted but ten days and Johnny Kelly, a Baltimore outfielder, finished the season as manager. Before the start of the 1914 season, first Dr. P. H. Walker and Robert W. Allen and later William G. O'Malley bought shares of Scranton team stock from Mr. Coleman. Johnny Kelly managed the Miners until August, when Bill Coughlin, Pine Brook resident who had been let go as a third baseman by Kelly, was signed to manage from the bench. The following season, 1915, Eddie Coleman retired from the Scranton Baseball Association and Mr. Allen was elected president, he having bought Mr. Coleman's stock. Coughlin then managed the Miners for several seasons.
Director of Present Ball Club and Stadium
Mr. Coleman never lost interest in baseball, and when Edward F. Kirschner, of Hazleton, transferred his Mountain City franchise here for the 1939 season in the Class A Eastern League, he became one of the ten original directors. His knowledge of the national pastime and experience made him an active figure in all business sessions and promotions by the group of civic minded gentlemen who gave the city the regular season pennant and the Governor Cup playoff series championship that year. And Scranton's winning the pennant again in the 1940 campaign more than pleased him.
A leader in all movements to build a Scranton Stadium or to better playing fields for professional and amateur diamond performers, Mr. Coleman was one of the first to take off his coat and go to work on the stadium plans. And he devoted unlimited time and money in making the present home of the Scranton Red Sox club the finest minor league field in the country - a plant that will stand as a monument to him and his fellow directors. As a director of the Scranton Stadium, Inc., Mr. Coleman waa a daily visitor to the scene during the building operations. Unfortunately ill health kept him away from the ball park since the opening Scranton-Wilkes-Barre game in the 1941 season, when he looked on from his automobile parked outside the right field fence.
Mr. Coleman was personally known by more sports celebrities than sny coal region resident. Entertaining them and his friends at his home was a pleasant hobby. On many occasions, Jack Dempsey, during his reign as world's heavyweight fistic champion; Connie Mack, venerable manager of the Philadelphia Athletics; Joe McCarthy, who piloted the New York Yankees to five world series championships; Bill (Derby Day) Clymer and many others were his honored guests.
There are now and will be many fine baseball leaders and sportsmen, but there was only one Eddie Coleman. He'll live with us in memory, if not in body. My sympathy to the good and devoted Mrs. Coleman.
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EDWARD J. COLEMAN MEMORIAL EDITORIAL
The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942 pg 4
Edward J. Coleman Sportsman, public official and businessman, Edward J. Coleman was one of the best known and popular figures in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Sheriff Coleman, as he was familiarly known, had many friendships among the leading sportsmen of the country, including, Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Joe McCarthy, Charles Francis Coe, the late Hughie Jennings, the late John McGraw and others.
Sheriff Coleman was owner of the Scranton baseball team which won its first pennant in 1906. He brought the best of baseball talent to Scranton. He maintained his interest in the game always and was a regular patron of the annual Baseball Writers' dinner in New York.
As a young man, Mr. Coleman served as a councilman in both branches, select and common, and also was elected alderman. In later years, he was elected county treasurer and later sheriff of Lackawanna County, ably discharging the duties of both offices.
A traveler, Mr. Coleman visited many parts of the world and his accounts of his travels were a rare treat. He was a delightful host and enjoyed having friends partake of his hospitality. A native of Scranton, Mr. Coleman lived here all his life, and was an enthusiastic booster of the region. It was a habit with him to brighten the lives of those he met and his memory will be cherished by the many who shared happy moments with him.
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Scranton Times, Feb. 28, 1942, pg. 12
THE SPORTSCOPE - JOE M. BUTLER
Edward (Red) Coleman, Lackawanna County deputy sheriff, star performer and captain of University of Scranton basketball teams and for several seasons head coach of the Purple courtmen, lost his greatest admirer in the death on Thursday of his uncle, Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and grand sportsman.
Mr. Coleman never missed watching a Tomcat cage contest, at home or on away courts, until ill health forced him to the sidelines.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942, pg 12
HATCHIN' "EM OUT BY CHIC FELDMAN
'Sheriff' Good Sport Right to Very End (E.J. Coleman)
Although all of his close friends had steeled themselves for the sad news, it was nevertheless a staggering shock to return from Stroud and learn that the "old sheriff" was gone. Had been "called out" during the course of the game.
It isn't necessary to tell even the newest arrival who the "old sheriff" was because down through the years Ed J. Coleman had been an individualist rightfully entitled to the appellation of: "Scranton's best walking advertisement." It wasn't merely a title bestowed by professional boosters, even if the "old sheriff" had thousands of the latter. Rather it was a richly earned tag, dating back well beyond a third of a century.
Scranton, for example, had no baseball representation when Coleman and John Barnes bought the JAGS and gave us New York State League a pennant in 1906. Also another in 1908. Unlike this era, it cost money to sponsor a ball club. The attendance was meager; admission fee one half of the present half dollar, and salaries just as high.
"Diamond Ed," as Coleman was known far and wide because he wore a studded horse shoe tie pin, bowed out at the start of World War I. But he never missed a sporting event worthwhile, from the annual Series to the heavyweight championship bouts. His Oak Restaurant became a mecca for the mob, and Coleman's political popularity soared.
When the Quinns moved the Scranton franchise to Hartford, one of the first to volunteer to finance another team was the "old sheriff." He also plugged the stadium proposition, even if then 70 years of age and in none the best of health. Of such in noble stuff was Coleman made and to say that Sportdom will be poorer for his passing is hardly beginning to estimate our loss. Yet is all one can think of in an hour such as this, when a heavy heart and dulled mind are unable to make contact.
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The Scranton Tribune, Oct. 25, 1912, pg. 2
E. J. COLEMAN APPOINTED ALDERMAN BY GOVERNOR
E. J. Coleman, owner of the Scranton base ball club, has been appointed alderman of the Sixteenth ward to succeed Michael J. Ruddy, who resigned.
Word was received from Harrisburg yesterday morning confirming the report. The appointment is until after the election next Spring.
The appointment was made by Governor John K. Tener. Mr. Coleman fills a vacancy as alderman that practically existed since the last general election, as Mr. Ruddy has been in ill health for the past year or more.
Mr. Coleman is one of the most popular men in the city and is probably known to more people than any other resident. His appointment brings him the congratulations of his friends and it is assured that he will give a creditable administration of the affairs of the alderman's office. He formerly served as a select councilman from the Sixteenth ward and was active in the interest of his constituents, introducing several good measures for their benefit.
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Edward J. Coleman grew up on South Washington Ave. in the Flats Section of South Scranton. His father, Owen, was a blacksmith. He died in about 1881. Below are summaries of the 1870 and 1880 US Censuses. Edward is listed in the 1870 Census as 1 year old. In the 1880 Census, he was listed as 11 years old. He was born in March 1869. His birth year is sometimes reported as 1870.
Owen Coleman
in the 1870 United States Federal Census ( taken July 25, 1870)
Name: Owen Coleman
Age in 1870: 33
Birth Year: abt 1837
Birthplace: Ireland
Dwelling Number: 29
Home in 1870: Scranton Ward 9, Luzerne, Pennsylvania
330 S. Washington Ave
Gender: Male
Post Office: Scranton
Occupation: Blacksmith
Father of Foreign Birth: Y
Mother of Foreign Birth: Y
Male Citizen over 21: Y
Personal Estate Value: 300
Real Estate Value: 1000
Inferred Spouse: Bridget Coleman
Inferred Children: James Coleman
Mary Coleman
Edward Coleman
Name Age
Owen Coleman 33 Blacksmith
Bridget Coleman 32 Wife (maiden name O'Donnell)
James Coleman 6 Son
Mary Coleman 2 Daughter
Edward Coleman 1 month Son
Andrew Cosgrove 33 Blacksmith
Jame Duffey 28 Laborer
Peter Gallagher 30 Laborer
Patrick Farrel l 29 Laborer
William Tuck 31 Laborer
Ann O'Donnell 73 Laborer sister of Bridget?
Mary Garrity 30 Laborer
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Owen Coleman
in the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Owen Coleman
Residence Year: 1870
Street address: S. Washington Ave
Residence Place: Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
Occupation: Blacksmith in car shop
Publication Title: Scranton, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1870
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Owen Coleman
in the 1880 United States Federal Census (taken on June 2, 1880)
Name: Owen Coleman
Age: 35
Birth Date: Abt 1845
Birthplace: Ireland
Home in 1880: Scranton, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania, USA
Street: S. Washington Avenue
House Number: 330
Dwelling Number: 43
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Bridget Coleman
Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
Occupation: Blacksmith
Name Age
Owen Coleman 35 Blacksmith
Bridget Coleman 32 Wife (O'Donnell)
James Coleman 16 Son
Mary E. Coleman 13 Daughter
Edward Coleman 11 Son
Michael Coleman 2 Son
Eugene Coleman 5 months Son (b Dec 1879)
EDWARD J. COLEMAN (1869-1942) OBITUARIES, EDITORIALS, SPORTS COLUMNS
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The Scranton Times, Feb. 27, 1942, pages 3 and 29
EDWARD J. COLEMAN DIES AFTER LENGTHY ILLNESS
Former Sheriff and County Treasurer, a Lifelong Resident of City
Was Colorful Figure In Political, Sporting, Business and Fraternal Circles
Funeral Monday Morning.
Former Sheriff Edward J. Coleman, a lifelong resident of this city and one of the most colorful figures in the community's political, sporting, business and fraternal circles died last night at 9 o'clock at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue. Had he lived until March 19, he would have observed his seventy-third birthday.
Death came after a prolonged Illness. The former sheriff had been In falling health for months and for a long time had been unable to leave his residence in the Hill section. Some months ago he underwent an operation at the Moses Taylor Hospital and rallied for a time. Despite his long siege of sickness, Mr. Coleman almost to the last was his customary jolly and Jovial self and enjoyed visits with friends. He had been confined to bed but a few weeks.
Eddie Coleman, as he was popularly known, was one of the best known men in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Word of his death was received with genuine regret on the part of thousands of his friends from all walks of life throughout Lackawanna Valley.
Mr. Coleman, who until a few years ago was proprietor of the Oak Restaurant, 335 Adam Avenue, made his way from a humble beginning as a breaker boy in the Bellevue Colliery, to a spot which ranked him as one of the outstanding men of the anthracite region.
WAS SON OF MERCHANT
Born in Scranton on March 19. 1869. the son of the late Owen and Bridget Coleman, who once ran a grocery store in the Flats Section, Mr. Coleman was educated in the public schools. One of his first jobs was that of a water boy for the Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company and he later became a breaker boy and apprentice core maker. For a number of years, Mr. Coleman an worked as a salesman for the Rohrwasser Baking Company. Penn Avenue, and in this capacity became widely known. In 1916 he opened the Oak Restaurant and, except for short intervals when he entrusted the active management to others (artist, P. W. Costello & boxer, Tommy Connors), remained in charge of the business until he disposed of his interests in the summer of 1940. His undertaking was successful and the Oak was one of the city's finest restaurants.
In his youth Mr. Coleman was an athlete and at eighteen years of age he won an all-around championship at the Scranton Y. M. C. A. Pictures of championship teams, on which he starred both in track and field events, still grace the walls of the Y. M. C. A. Building. He was a rugged, well preserved man who walked with a brisk step even when he was far past the sixty-year mark, and it was a rare thing for him to be away from his office or business because of illness.
On April 8, 1926, Mr. Coleman was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Rohrwasser, the daughter of the late Joseph and Sophia Rohrwasser of Scranton. The ceremony took place In Philadelphia. The late Mr. Rohrwasser was widely known in the city for more than a half century as a baker with a thriving business on Penn Avenue.
WAS WORLD TRAVELER
Mr. Coleman was fond of travel. He frequently attended national political conventions and conventions of sheriff and police officials in distant cities. In 1926 he and Mrs, Coleman took a trip around the world for their honeymoon and were out of the city for many months. While on the voyage, the Colemans stopped at many islands in the Pacific Ocean, visited the interior of China and Japan, crossed the Sahara Desert, traveled through Egypt, had an audience with the late Pope Pius XI and toured many other lands.
Despite his physical condition in late weeks, Mr. Coleman carefully followed all news and radio reports of World War II, frequently studying a globe or map to watch the Pacific maneuvers of American and other United Nations' forces.
Mr. Coleman was not only a participant but an ardent promoter and booster of practically all organized sports, and as a keen follower of athletic diversion he attained nation-wide prominence. He traveled to many distant points to witness championship fights and other major sports contests and he seldom missed a world series baseball game.
On July 12, 1904, Mr. Coleman and the late John Barnes, then owner of the Brunswick Hotel on Spruce Street, purchased a 50-50 partnership in the Scranton franchise in the old New York State Baseball League. Players of the Schenectady, N. Y team were transferred here and Garry was retained as manager.
BROUGHT ASHENBACH HERE
Garry stayed on as club skipper until midseason of 1905, when Messrs. Coleman and Barnes brought Eddie Ashenbach here, and In the 1906 season Ashenbach. whose name later became a regional household word, brought Scranton its first league pennant. Ashenbach and the owner could not agree on financial terms for 1907 and Hank Ramsey managed the local team that season. Mr. Coleman became the sole owner at the start of the 1908 season. He engaged Malachi Kittredge as manager and Scranton again copped the New York State circuit flag in easy fashion. Mr. Coleman owned and operated the Scranton club in succeeding seasons until 1914. when he sold stock to Dr. P. H. Walker, Robert W. Allen and William G. O'Malley. The next year Mr. Coleman retired from baseball, selling his stock to Mr. Allen.
Scranton was without a team in organized baseball in 1938, and, when Edward F. Kirschner, of Hazleton, transferred the Mountain City franchise here for the 1939 campaign in the Class A Eastern League, Mr. Coleman became one of the ten original directors. And when the local diamond owners discussed the building of the Dunmore Stadium, now one of the finest minor league parks in the country, he was one of the early and strong supporters of the new athletic project. During the last three years Mr. Coleman devoted time and money to his duties as an officer and director of the baseball team and stadium corporation and was eagerly looking forward to the 1942 season.
Mr. Coleman was a friend of Connie Mack, manager of the Philadelphia Athletics; Joe McCarthy, pilot of the New York Yankees, and Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion of the world, and many other sports world celebrities. On numerous occasions Dempsey, during the time he held the title and afterward, was a guest at the Coleman home. At dinners of sport writers in New York and Philadelphia, Coleman always shared the spotlight with other famed sportsmen.
HELD PUBLIC OFFICE
Although it was in the realm of sports that Mr. Coleman attained much prominence, he was equally well known in political circles. He was a Democrat. His first venture into politics was as a member of the common council from the Sixteenth Ward. He served two years in common council and two years in the select council during the time when the city was under the bicarmeral system of government. He also served as alderman of the Sixteenth Ward by appointment of Gov. John K. Tener, for the unexpired term of the late Alderman Michael Ruddy.
Mr. Coleman's first bid for a county office was made in 1931 and it was a successful one. He captured both the Republican and Democratic nominations for county treasurer - this was prior to the enactment of the law making it impossible for candidates to seek more than one party nomination - and he served in that office from 1932 to 1935, inclusive.
Prevented by statutory requirements from seeking a second consecutive term as county treasurer, Mr. Coleman in 1935 receivld the Democratic nomination for sheriff and went on to victory with his Democratic running mates that year. His services as chief peace officer of the county were performed with credit to himself and his staff and the sheriff's office, under his direction. enjoyed a reputation for the courtesies extended to lawyers and litigants alike. In 1939 Mr. Coleman sought thea Democratic nomination for county treasurer but lost out to Joseph A. Linnen, the incumbent treasurer.
Mr. Coleman was never happier than when playing host to a gathering of friends, either at his home or elsewhere. His rabbit and Christmas dinners, held each year at th Coleman home for groups of aquaintances, and the outings he presided over at the Coleman summer home at Lake Winola or at the Coleman farm in Scott Township each year, provided him with happy opportunities to relish his role as the perfect host
FRIEND OF THE NEEDY
Generous to a fault, Mr. Coleman was in the forefront of all movements intended to assist his less fortunate fellow men. His personal charities knew no bounds and he extended a helping hand to countless numbers of needy people.
Few people in the region were more active in fraternal or social circles than Mr. Coleman. He was especially active in the affairs of Scranton Lodge. No. 123, Protective Order of Elks, and Scranton Aerie, No. 314, Fraternal Order of Eagles, having attended numerous state and national conventions of both organizations. He was also a member of the Order of Red Men, the Knights of Columbus, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County (formerly the Irish-Amerlcan Society), the Sportsmen's League of Pennsylvania. the Scranton Liederkranz and many other organizations. In all organizations he held office at one time or another. Mr. Coleman was also a member of the Scranton Chamber of Commerce and usually went on the annual good-will tours of that organization. He was a member of St. Peter's Cathedral parish.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Coleman is survived by one brother, Eugene. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The body may be viewed this evening from 5 to 11 oclock, tomorrow afternoon from 1 to 5 o'clock and from 7 to 11 o'clock tomorrow night, and Sunday from 11 o'clock in the morning until 11 o'clock at night. Friends are requested to omit flowers.
The funeral will take place Monday morning with a solemn high mass of requiem in St. Peter's Cathedral at 9:30 oclock. Interment will be in Dunmore Cemetery.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 27, 1942, pages 3 and 12
EDWARD J. COLEMAN, EX-SHERIFF, DIES AT 72
Long Illness Fatal To Sportsman and Leader in Politics
Edward J. Coleman, one of the region's most prominent sportsmen and an outstanding Democratic political leader for nearly a half century, died at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue, at 9 oclock last night, his 72nd year.
Mr. Coleman had been in falling health the past several months. His condition was such as to confine him to his home during the past 10 months. His death had been momentarily expected for three or four days before he succumbed.
Mr. Coleman served as sheriff, county treasurer, alderman and as a member of the City Council. His affiliation with the Democratic party extended back to the days of his youth and remained unbroken during the ensuing 50 years.
NATIVE OF SCRANTON
Mr. Coleman was born in this city on March 16, 1869. He was identified with the Rohrwasser Bakery, located on Penn Avenue in the 1890s and at the turn of the century.
Active in sports, Mr. Coleman took over the franchise of the Scranton baseball club, New York State League, in 1904. His team won the city's first pennant. He disposed of his diamond interests in 1914.
Two years later he opened the Oak Cafe, Adams Avenue, which he conducted for more than 10 years before selling it. During this period the cafe was the gathering place for figures in the sports world, particularly those of boxing and baseball.
[Scranton artist P. W. Costello (1866-1935) was a friend of Ed Coleman. The walls were lined with his pen & ink drawings of baseball players, stage stars, writers, poets and political figures. Retired boxer and Bellevue native, Tommy Connors, bought the Oak Cafe from Ed Coleman in 1940 and it became a favorite night spot for boxing fans].
Mr. Coleman first aspired for office over 40 years ago when he was elected to both the Common and Select Council from the 16th Ward under the old bicameral system which was replaced by the commission plan of five elected at large, in 1911.
He later served as alderman of the 16th Ward by appointment of former Governor John K. Tener.
In 1931 he surprised the political-minded of Lackawanna County by capturing both the Republican and Democratic nominations for treasurer. Four years later he was the Democratic nominee for sheriff and won out in the general election.
From the time he attained his majority, Mr. Coleman was known far and wide in sports circles. There were but few major ring contests in the past four decades that he did not attend.
His greatest love was baseball. He frequently traveled to New York and Philadelphia in pursuit of the diamond sport and was an intimate friend of the late John McGraw, the late Hughey Jennings, Connie Mack, Bill Coughlin, Cobb, Babe Ruth and other baseball notables of the past and present.
The walls of the Oak Cafe are adorned with large pen & ink drawings, created by Scranton artist P. W. Costello, of the most prominent in sports and theatre. Included in the collection are Harry Lauder, James J. Corbett and dozens more.
WELCOMED FAMED VISITORS
No reception committee, civic or fraternal, was complete without Mr. Coleman. He was in the front ranks when Al Smith, Jimmy Walker, Governor Curley, John Boles and other great personages came to the city.
Mr. Coleman frequently entertained visiting popular sports figures at his home. Jack Dempsey and Charles Francis Coe, noted author, were his guests back in 1931. Coe at the time was penning a life history of Dempsey. When it appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, several paragraphs were devoted to Mr. Coleman's hospitality and to Fred K. Derby, a close friend of Mr. Coleman, who was mayor at that time.
The former sheriff managed and played with one of the region's best teams during the 1890s. It was the Scranton Team, with nine men on the floor. Three guards, three centers and three forwards made up a court club in those days.
Mr. Coleman was a great globetrotter. He made countless trips to the West, Canada and to South American countries. He made two world-wide combination steamship and railroad journeys.
Mr. Coleman attended every World Series game since 1904, when the championship matches were inaugurated, until the 1940 classic between Cincinnati and Detroit. He was unable to take in the 1941 series because of the illness which resulted in his death.
He set aside one day annually every Summer to entertain Scranton newspapermen and friends at his Lake Winola Summer home. These affairs were looked forward to eagerly by reporters and contributed to Mr. Coleman's great reputation as an excellent host.
Mr. Coleman leaves his wife, the former Josephine Rohrwasser, and a brother, Eugene.
Arrangements by Eugene Cusick. The body may be viewed tonight from 5 to 11 p. m. tomorrow from 1 to 5 and 7 to 11 p. m. and Sunday from 11 a. m. to 11 p.m. The funeral will take place Monday at a time to be announced. Friends have been asked to kindly omit flowers.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942, pg. 9
Edward J. Coleman's Funeral on Monday
The funeral of Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and county treasurer, will take place Monday from his home, 724 North Webster Avenue. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a. m. in St. Peter's Cathedral. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery. The body may be viewed today from 1 to 5 and from 7 to 11 p. m. and tomorrow from 11 a. m. to 11 p. m. Arrangements by Gene Cusick.
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The Scranton Tribune, March 3, 1942, pg. 17
Many at Funeral of E. J. Coleman; Mass Celebrated at St. Peter's Cathedral
The funeral of Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and county treasurer, was held yesterday from his home, 724 North Webster Avenue, and was largely attended. Msgr. Martin J. OConnor was celebrant of a mass in St. Peter's Cathedral. The Rev. Francis Durkin was deacon, and the Rev. Edward Collins, subdeacon.
Interment, Dunmore Cemetery, where Msgr. Walter Gorman, Father Durkin and the Rev. William Burchel, conducted committal services. Msgr. John J. Vaughan, chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, led a group of Knights in prayer. Delegations also were present from the Scranton Llederkranz and the Elks.
Honorary casket bearers were: Judge M. J. Eagen, Sen. E. J. Coleman, Thomas H. Richardson, president of the Eastern Baseball League; Attorney Carton M. O'Malley, Henry N. Atherton, Kenneth J. O'Brien, Maj. John A. Hart, Jack Davis, E. P. Dietrick, William R. Lynett, Joseph Lawler, Sheriff Joseph B. Shaute, County Commissioners M. F. Lawler and W. J. Geiger, Joseph M. Butler, James T. Hanlon, Sterling A. Riker, Walter J. O'Malley, Attorney Frank J. McDonnell, John J. Loftus, P. F. Cusick, P. F. Calpin, Peter McDonough, Thomas J. Connors, Matt Cary, Charles Dougherty, John Greiner Jr., and James Reap.
Active casket bearers were: August Possanza, Thomas F. Ferguson, Michael J. McNally, Joseph P. O'Malley, Edward H.. Degan, Ferdinand Chamoni, James Devaney and Edward J. Gerrity.
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The Scranton Times, Feb 27, 1942 pages 26 and 27
THE SPORTSCOPE – JOE M. BUTLER
Sportsdom Mourns Death of Edward J. Coleman
The Great Umpire, whose decisions are never challenged or overruled, called last night and Edward J. Coleman, champion athlete, a successful business man, Lackawanna County official for eight years, owner and influential supporter of baseball teams and a grand sportsman all his life, answered. After a prolonged illness, a courageous battle against overwhelming odds, albeit a losing fight, the end came at 9 o'clock at his home, 724 North Webster Avenue.
Sheriff Ed, as he was popularly known, was deeply interested in all sports and never refused an invitation to furnish the official touch of his office to any sport event or affair, even when he quite justifiably could have said "No" without incurring resentment. He did not limit his presence to the throwing out of the first ball of the baseball season. He sponsored men and women bowling teams, rolled the first ball to open annual championship pin tournaments promoted by this newspaper and tossed up the first ball to inaugurate basketball campaigns. Mr. Coleman, like most of the prominent men of Scranton who have grown up with the city, took pride in Scranton and all its activities, not the least of which were its athletic triumphs.
It was not difficult to get acquainted with Mr. Coleman. His office and home were open at all times to every one. Celebrities visited him. So did those who competed in a small way. All were welcome, and men, women and children, too, who greatly admired him, will find it hard to believe - that his cheerful smile and friendly salutations will be seen and heard no more. Fair play was Mr. Coleman's motto, but he wanted to see the little fellow, as well as those who bore big names in sportsdom, triumph in clean, hard fought, manly competition. Sitting with the writer at hundreds of sporting events, Sheriff Ed always impressed me that he had the quaint idea that "if you can't take it - you don't belong," and that another simple motto was "a poor way to inspire confidence is to start it with an excuse."
Mr. Coleman had long been recognized as Scranton's good-will ambassador at not only regional but national athletic events and at social functions where sports celebrities gathered. He missed but few championship fistic battles wherever staged. At baseball world series games in all sections of the country, the former sheriff - sporting well tailored toggery, cane, diamond stickpin and big elk tooth - could be seen heading the delegation of local fans. For years be missed few baseball and sporting writers' dinners in New York, Philadelphia and other cities.
His Eleven-Year Reign In Old New York State League
Baseball was the game dearest to the heart of Mr. Coleman and, recalling the many, many chats we've had together on his eleven-year ownership regime, I know Eddie would relish putting on comfortable slippers, reclining in an easy chair and reminiscing into the night on his teams, managers and players from 1904 to the end of the 1914 season tn the old New York State League.
Scranton had no league baseball in 1901. In 1902 Scranton operated together with Williamsport, Lebanon, Wilkes-Barre, Reading and Lancaster in the Pennsylvania State League. The city was again without a club in 1903. Along in July 1904, the Schenectady, N. Y team of the New York State League was in financial straits and President John H. Farrell came to Scranton to try and induce local men to take the club. He interviewed many, offering them the franchise and players if they would but pay the players back salaries and their transportation from Schenecetady to Scranton. John Barnes, then owner of the Brunswick Hotel, Spruce Street, and Mr. Coleman, finally agreed to go along as owners of the team on a fifty-fifty basis. The club was officially turned over to Coleman and Barnes on July 12, 1904. The following year, Wilkes-Barre was admitted to the league, getting the Illion, N. Y franchise. Jimmy Garry, skipper of the Schenectady team, was retained as manager of the Miners, and players on his roster included Bill Schmink, Gus Zeimer, Danny Coogan, Fred Betts, Henry Gettig, Sandy MacDougal, Eddie Shortell, Larry Hannifan, Bill Bannon and others. Garry managed the local team until midseason of 1905, when Edward Ashenback came here to manage. A notable feat of the Ashenback club in the 1905 season was to beat Wilkes-Barre on the last day of the season in Minooka Park, a defeat knocking the Barons out of the pennant.
Ashenback brought Scranton its first league pennant in 1906, having a swell club. He had Wilkie Clark and Andy Roth as catchers; Chappie, MacDougal, Larry Hannifan, Polly Polchow and Ernest Murray ss pitcher; Bud Sharpe was on first base, Eddie Shortell remained at second and Gus Zeimer at short, Heinie Krug covered third and Doc Graham, Joe Hennessy, Hogan Yancey and Joe Schrall were the outfielders. Krug, Sharpe and others on this club went up to the big leagues.
Ashenback and the owners of the Scranton team could not agree upon salary terms for 1907 and Ash was given his release. Hank Ramsey, who had made quite a name for himself as manager of Hudson River League teams, succeeded him. Zeimer, Shortell, MacDougal, Polchow and Clark were held over by Ramsey from the 1906 flag winner. He brought Harry McArdle, Beckendorf and George Schultz here. Ramsey lasted one season.
Malachi Kittredge, a former National League catcher, was at the helm at the beginning of the 1908 season. Mr. Coleman was the sole owner of the team that year, having bought out the Barnes interest. A short time later, Mr. Barnes died. Kittredge won a pennant hands down. Beckendorf did the catching and was later sold to Detroit.. Elmer Steele, Jim Vaughn, later with the Cubs; Lefty Kellogg, later sold to the Philadelphia Americans; Joe Bills and George Schultz were Kitt's hurlers. Ben Houser, who went to the Athletics, played first base; Charley Moran was on second; Zeimer remained at short; Silver Groh played "third until he broke his arm in a fight with Peartree of the Barons, and then, Madigan, an outfielder, went to , third. Frey Eley, Jocko Halligan, Doc Graham and Robertson played in the outfield.
Gus Zeimer managed Coleman's Scranton club of 1909 when the team suffered a poor season, and after the close of the schedule, Zeimer went to the Binghamton club after having been with the Miners since 1904.
Monte Cross was Coleman's manager In 1910 and the Miners gave the Barons, who won the pennant, a stiff fight down to the last game. With a star first baseman. Cross would have copped the bunting. Jack Himes played the initial sack after Chick Staley, a classy guardian, jumped the club a week after the opening. Some of the players on the 1910 team were: George Chalmers, Bert Humphries, Eddie McDonough, Jason Kirke, Warren Miller and Jimmy Jackson. Cross also managed the club in 1911, but he had lost Kirke, Miller, Humphries, McDonough and Chalmers.
The season of 1912 found Buck Freeman in charge of the Miners. Freeman had the greatest pitching staff ever assembled on one team in Scranton. George Pierce and Ensign Cottrell, both of whom went to the big leagues the following season, gave him two wonderful southpaws. To work wifh the left-handers he had Festus Higgins, when the Minooka idol was at his very best, and Teddy Cathers, when Cathers was good. Al Hines was the fifth man but he hardly got a chance to work. The hurlers could hit and pitch, but they did not have very good backing. Tom (Finners) Quinlan and Chick Shorten got their real professional start with this team, having been signed on advice of Dr. P. H. Walker. Quinlan made good and Shorten failed, but when the latter got away from the fans who were knocking him and went to Worcester he also made good and went on to the majors.
Dick Smith of Ironton, Pa., managed the Miners until July Fourth of the 1913 season. Bob Peterson, who succeeded him. lasted but ten days and Johnny Kelly, a Baltimore outfielder, finished the season as manager. Before the start of the 1914 season, first Dr. P. H. Walker and Robert W. Allen and later William G. O'Malley bought shares of Scranton team stock from Mr. Coleman. Johnny Kelly managed the Miners until August, when Bill Coughlin, Pine Brook resident who had been let go as a third baseman by Kelly, was signed to manage from the bench. The following season, 1915, Eddie Coleman retired from the Scranton Baseball Association and Mr. Allen was elected president, he having bought Mr. Coleman's stock. Coughlin then managed the Miners for several seasons.
Director of Present Ball Club and Stadium
Mr. Coleman never lost interest in baseball, and when Edward F. Kirschner, of Hazleton, transferred his Mountain City franchise here for the 1939 season in the Class A Eastern League, he became one of the ten original directors. His knowledge of the national pastime and experience made him an active figure in all business sessions and promotions by the group of civic minded gentlemen who gave the city the regular season pennant and the Governor Cup playoff series championship that year. And Scranton's winning the pennant again in the 1940 campaign more than pleased him.
A leader in all movements to build a Scranton Stadium or to better playing fields for professional and amateur diamond performers, Mr. Coleman was one of the first to take off his coat and go to work on the stadium plans. And he devoted unlimited time and money in making the present home of the Scranton Red Sox club the finest minor league field in the country - a plant that will stand as a monument to him and his fellow directors. As a director of the Scranton Stadium, Inc., Mr. Coleman waa a daily visitor to the scene during the building operations. Unfortunately ill health kept him away from the ball park since the opening Scranton-Wilkes-Barre game in the 1941 season, when he looked on from his automobile parked outside the right field fence.
Mr. Coleman was personally known by more sports celebrities than sny coal region resident. Entertaining them and his friends at his home was a pleasant hobby. On many occasions, Jack Dempsey, during his reign as world's heavyweight fistic champion; Connie Mack, venerable manager of the Philadelphia Athletics; Joe McCarthy, who piloted the New York Yankees to five world series championships; Bill (Derby Day) Clymer and many others were his honored guests.
There are now and will be many fine baseball leaders and sportsmen, but there was only one Eddie Coleman. He'll live with us in memory, if not in body. My sympathy to the good and devoted Mrs. Coleman.
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EDWARD J. COLEMAN MEMORIAL EDITORIAL
The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942 pg 4
Edward J. Coleman Sportsman, public official and businessman, Edward J. Coleman was one of the best known and popular figures in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Sheriff Coleman, as he was familiarly known, had many friendships among the leading sportsmen of the country, including, Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Joe McCarthy, Charles Francis Coe, the late Hughie Jennings, the late John McGraw and others.
Sheriff Coleman was owner of the Scranton baseball team which won its first pennant in 1906. He brought the best of baseball talent to Scranton. He maintained his interest in the game always and was a regular patron of the annual Baseball Writers' dinner in New York.
As a young man, Mr. Coleman served as a councilman in both branches, select and common, and also was elected alderman. In later years, he was elected county treasurer and later sheriff of Lackawanna County, ably discharging the duties of both offices.
A traveler, Mr. Coleman visited many parts of the world and his accounts of his travels were a rare treat. He was a delightful host and enjoyed having friends partake of his hospitality. A native of Scranton, Mr. Coleman lived here all his life, and was an enthusiastic booster of the region. It was a habit with him to brighten the lives of those he met and his memory will be cherished by the many who shared happy moments with him.
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Scranton Times, Feb. 28, 1942, pg. 12
THE SPORTSCOPE - JOE M. BUTLER
Edward (Red) Coleman, Lackawanna County deputy sheriff, star performer and captain of University of Scranton basketball teams and for several seasons head coach of the Purple courtmen, lost his greatest admirer in the death on Thursday of his uncle, Edward J. Coleman, former sheriff and grand sportsman.
Mr. Coleman never missed watching a Tomcat cage contest, at home or on away courts, until ill health forced him to the sidelines.
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The Scranton Tribune, Feb. 28, 1942, pg 12
HATCHIN' "EM OUT BY CHIC FELDMAN
'Sheriff' Good Sport Right to Very End (E.J. Coleman)
Although all of his close friends had steeled themselves for the sad news, it was nevertheless a staggering shock to return from Stroud and learn that the "old sheriff" was gone. Had been "called out" during the course of the game.
It isn't necessary to tell even the newest arrival who the "old sheriff" was because down through the years Ed J. Coleman had been an individualist rightfully entitled to the appellation of: "Scranton's best walking advertisement." It wasn't merely a title bestowed by professional boosters, even if the "old sheriff" had thousands of the latter. Rather it was a richly earned tag, dating back well beyond a third of a century.
Scranton, for example, had no baseball representation when Coleman and John Barnes bought the JAGS and gave us New York State League a pennant in 1906. Also another in 1908. Unlike this era, it cost money to sponsor a ball club. The attendance was meager; admission fee one half of the present half dollar, and salaries just as high.
"Diamond Ed," as Coleman was known far and wide because he wore a studded horse shoe tie pin, bowed out at the start of World War I. But he never missed a sporting event worthwhile, from the annual Series to the heavyweight championship bouts. His Oak Restaurant became a mecca for the mob, and Coleman's political popularity soared.
When the Quinns moved the Scranton franchise to Hartford, one of the first to volunteer to finance another team was the "old sheriff." He also plugged the stadium proposition, even if then 70 years of age and in none the best of health. Of such in noble stuff was Coleman made and to say that Sportdom will be poorer for his passing is hardly beginning to estimate our loss. Yet is all one can think of in an hour such as this, when a heavy heart and dulled mind are unable to make contact.
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The Scranton Tribune, Oct. 25, 1912, pg. 2
E. J. COLEMAN APPOINTED ALDERMAN BY GOVERNOR
E. J. Coleman, owner of the Scranton base ball club, has been appointed alderman of the Sixteenth ward to succeed Michael J. Ruddy, who resigned.
Word was received from Harrisburg yesterday morning confirming the report. The appointment is until after the election next Spring.
The appointment was made by Governor John K. Tener. Mr. Coleman fills a vacancy as alderman that practically existed since the last general election, as Mr. Ruddy has been in ill health for the past year or more.
Mr. Coleman is one of the most popular men in the city and is probably known to more people than any other resident. His appointment brings him the congratulations of his friends and it is assured that he will give a creditable administration of the affairs of the alderman's office. He formerly served as a select councilman from the Sixteenth ward and was active in the interest of his constituents, introducing several good measures for their benefit.
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Edward J. Coleman grew up on South Washington Ave. in the Flats Section of South Scranton. His father, Owen, was a blacksmith. He died in about 1881. Below are summaries of the 1870 and 1880 US Censuses. Edward is listed in the 1870 Census as 1 year old. In the 1880 Census, he was listed as 11 years old. He was born in March 1869. His birth year is sometimes reported as 1870.
Owen Coleman
in the 1870 United States Federal Census ( taken July 25, 1870)
Name: Owen Coleman
Age in 1870: 33
Birth Year: abt 1837
Birthplace: Ireland
Dwelling Number: 29
Home in 1870: Scranton Ward 9, Luzerne, Pennsylvania
330 S. Washington Ave
Gender: Male
Post Office: Scranton
Occupation: Blacksmith
Father of Foreign Birth: Y
Mother of Foreign Birth: Y
Male Citizen over 21: Y
Personal Estate Value: 300
Real Estate Value: 1000
Inferred Spouse: Bridget Coleman
Inferred Children: James Coleman
Mary Coleman
Edward Coleman
Name Age
Owen Coleman 33 Blacksmith
Bridget Coleman 32 Wife (maiden name O'Donnell)
James Coleman 6 Son
Mary Coleman 2 Daughter
Edward Coleman 1 month Son
Andrew Cosgrove 33 Blacksmith
Jame Duffey 28 Laborer
Peter Gallagher 30 Laborer
Patrick Farrel l 29 Laborer
William Tuck 31 Laborer
Ann O'Donnell 73 Laborer sister of Bridget?
Mary Garrity 30 Laborer
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Owen Coleman
in the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Owen Coleman
Residence Year: 1870
Street address: S. Washington Ave
Residence Place: Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
Occupation: Blacksmith in car shop
Publication Title: Scranton, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1870
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Owen Coleman
in the 1880 United States Federal Census (taken on June 2, 1880)
Name: Owen Coleman
Age: 35
Birth Date: Abt 1845
Birthplace: Ireland
Home in 1880: Scranton, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania, USA
Street: S. Washington Avenue
House Number: 330
Dwelling Number: 43
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Bridget Coleman
Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
Occupation: Blacksmith
Name Age
Owen Coleman 35 Blacksmith
Bridget Coleman 32 Wife (O'Donnell)
James Coleman 16 Son
Mary E. Coleman 13 Daughter
Edward Coleman 11 Son
Michael Coleman 2 Son
Eugene Coleman 5 months Son (b Dec 1879)
Inscription
Rohrwasser, Coleman
