1890 Buchanan and Delaware Counties History pg. 407

WILLIAM  COLESON, a successful farmer of Delaware county, Iowa, is a native of New York, born in Jefferson county, April 3, 1823. His father, Moses Coleson, was born near Boston, Mass., and was a stonecutter by trade. He spent most of his life in New York, but subsequently moved to Huron county, Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died in 1851. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, was honest and industrious and greatly beloved by all who knew him. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Harriet Tucker, and now lives at Cape Vincent, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., aged ninety years.

William Coleson, our subject, lived in his native place until thirteen years of age, when he was taken by his parents to Huron county, Ohio, where his time was divided between his duties on the farm and his attendance at the common district school. After growing up he went to Byron, Ogle county, Ill., where he found employment as a teamster. There were no railroads running west at that time and he did considerable hauling in and out of Chicago. Coming West in October, 1853, he settled in Iowa and took up land in Coffin's Grove township, which he improved and afterwards sold. He then bought one hundred and sixty acres at seventy-five cents per acre, settled on it and went to work to make for himself and family a home, and here he has since resided, engaged in farming and stock-raising.

The matrimonial union of Mr. Coleson and Miss Jane Sheffield, of Canada, was solemnized February 27, 1848. This union has been blessed by the birth of eleven children, as follows-Zilpha and Hattie (deceased);
James, who lives in Pierce county, Nebr., engaged in farming; Esther A., Chester, Girtie, Lillie, Minnie (deceased); Clara, Nettie and Willie.

In politics Mr. Coleson is a democrat and supports his party with zeal when occasion demands. He has been called to fill a number of local offices, the duties of which he discharged faithfully. Mr. and Mrs. Coleson have a pleasant home and a host of friends in the community where they reside.

 

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