James O. Coleman

 

James O. Coleman was born at Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, in 1845, the son of H. H., a brother of W. P. Coleman, pioneer banker of this city, and Barbara A. (Hopper) Coleman. Her father migrated from Kentucky during the early days to Illinois, and settled in Warren County. When in 1863, through the advice of his physician, young Coleman was compelled to seek a milder climate and a change of scene, he first went to Washington Territory, but soon came to Sacramento. Securing a clerkship in a mercantile house, he remained here until 1866, then he returned to his native town on a visit and was induced to remain, which he did for seven years, engaging in the hardware business; but the delightful climate and pleasant associations finally induced him to return, when, with a view to permanently locating, he traveled extensively throughout the Golden State, and after thorough investigation decided to settle in the Capital City. He opened an exchange and brokers’ office on J street, where he has been since engaged in business. He is a man of marked financial and executive ability, enterprising and public-spirited. It was he who first proposed the plan of the “Festival of Flowers,” which in May 1885, was tendered to Margaret E. Crocker, in recognition of her magnificent gifts to the city. He it was, in connection with William Ormsby, who eight years ago organized the open-air concerts which have been so popular, and continue to be a distinguishing feature of the city. It was he who was largely instrumental in organizing the Sacramento Improvement Association, of which he was the first secretary, and Dr. Simmons the first president. When in 1886, at the grand banquet held at the pavilion in honor of the meeting of the G.A.R. when 1,800 people were seated, he, being on the executive committee, did much to make the occasion the success that it was. These instances are well known, and others might be cited, for so fully has he established a reputation in this direction that no occurrence of this character would be considered complete without his aid and counsel. His friends feel assured that if called to the broader field of public usefulness, his ability to organize, originate and control will be brought forward to the lasting benefit of the department under his control, and to the material advantage and advancement of the interests of his friends and constituents.