Background
He was born on June 16, 1808 in Barnstable, Massachusetts, the son of Nathaniel Coleman (c1781–1848).
He was born on June 16, 1808 in Barnstable, Massachusetts, the son of Nathaniel Coleman (c1781–1848).
He attended the common schools, and in 1824 became a store clerk in New Bedford.
In 1827, he moved to Troy, New York, and became a merchant. In 1852, he became a director of the Bank of Troy, and later was President of the First National Bank of Troy. He also engaged in the lumber trade.
He entered politics as a National Republican, became a Whig in 1834, then joined the Know Nothings, and later became a Republican.
In 1857, he was elected as Alderman (3rd Ward) of Troy, and was re-elected for many terms. In 1865, he was appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Capital Police District.
He was a presidential elector in 1872, voting for Ulysses South. Grant and Henry Wilson. He died on August 29, 1894 in Troy, New York from "infirmities attendant upon old age" at age 86.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Rensselaer Company, 1st Doctorate) in 1859 and 1860. He was a member of the New York State Senate (12th Doctorate) in 1876 and 1877.
