Biography
Richard was the son of Isaac and Mary (WHITT) Coleman. He served as county commissioner when Buchanan County was formed in 1858, and also as county surveyor. He married Nancy King on February 18, 1847. Richard owned 7,000 acres. He enlisted in the 39th Ky in Nov., 1862, and was 1st Lt. of Company H. He was killed Jan. 9, 1864, at a skirmish at Turman`s Ferry in Floyd County, Ky. According to family stories, he moved his family from Home Creek, Va. to Louisa, Ky. where his military post was and told them if anything happened to him to leave the area. When he was killed they moved to McLeod Co., Mn.
Source of information: Steve Coleman
ENLISTED: 25 November, 1862, at Peach Orchard, Lawrence County, Kentucky.
MILITARY DATA: “Killed by the rebels in the line of his duty, he being shot in the breast while fighting the enemy.” Capt. William King was his brother-in-law. Many others in Co. H and some of the other companies [most notably Company D] in the 39th were relatives. In response to a raid on his property, he and William gathered relatives and neighbors together and joined the 39th.
FAMILY DATA: Born circa 1822; the son of Stephen and Sarah Rankin Coleman. Wife: Nancy King, daughter of Lewis and Mary King; married February 1847. Children - Mary Jane, Lewis, Joseph, Anthony Wayne, Priscilla, Elender, Cosby, Nancy Caroline. Denny was a leader in his community: Justice of the Peace in Tazewell Co.; one of seven commissioners who formed Buchanan Co. in 1858; elected surveyor of Buchanan Co.; second largest land owner in Buchanan Co., Virginia.
RESIDENCE: Pike Co., KY; Tazewell Co./Buchanan Co., Virginia.
OCCUPATION: farmer and surveyor.
DEATH: 9 January, 1864, at Turman’s Ferry, Boyd Co., KY. Burial: As of 1869, #566 at New Albany National Cemetery, New Albany, Indiana. “Original place of interment was City Cemetery in Louisa, Kentucky.” Source – NAMES OF SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN DEFENCE OF THE UNION INTERRED IN THE NATIONAL CEMETERIES OF VICKSBURG AND NEW ALBANY INDIANA. (Volumes published by Government Printing Office in 1869, Washington D.C.).