My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT S. COLEMAN, Calloway County, is a native of Stewart County, Tenn. He was born March 8, 1829, and is a son of William H. and Mary (Gatlin) Coleman. The father was a farmer by occupation, a native of North Carolina, who came west in 1816, and died in Stewart County, Tenn., in 1850. Our subject was the only child of his parents, and his early life was spent upon the home farm. After becoming of age he was variously engaged in steam-boating, clerking and farming until 1855, when he began the study of medicine, and, removing soon after to Henry County, Tenn., completed his preparatory studies there; he then attended the university at Nashville, and graduated from the medical department of that institution in 1862. He then accepted a position in the Confederate hospital service, but was taken prisoner in the fall of the same year at Fort Heiman, and paroled. He then continued the practice of medicine in Henry County, Tenn., until 1872, when he came to Murray, where he has since resided, and enjoys the confidence of the community in his professional skill, and occupies an eminent position as a physician, surgeon and citizen. November 7, 1856, he wedded Miss Fannie A. Williams, of Henry County, Tenn. There are five children living of this marriage: John R., who graduated with honors from the medical department of the University of Louisville in 1882, is a young man of fine social and intellectual worth, a thorough physician, has an extensive practice and bids fair to rise to distinction in his chosen profession; James H., a counselor at law, with fine intellect and fair promise; Thomas E., Mary A. and Fannie P., all children of splendid sense. Subject is a member of the Masonic order. He is chairman of the board of health and has served as president of the medical association.