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Decatur B. Colman, one of the most extensive farmers in Mower County was born in the town of Springfield, Otsego County, New York, September 21, 1826. He was reared to agricultural pursuits. His early education he received in the district schools, and was advanced by three terms at Oriskany Academy of Onondaga County. At 17 years of age he commenced teaching. He was thus engaged, the greater part of the time for twelve years in New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin. He had, during the mean time, been engaged as clerk in a general store one and a half years. In 1855 he dealt in horses, buying in Ohio and shipping them west. In 1857 he moved to Iowa and located at Burr Oak, thirteen miles north from Decorah, and there engaged in mercantile trade. He continued in trade there two years, then in 1859 moved to Preston, Fillmore County, Minnesota where he was a pioneer. He there opened a store with a large stock of general merchandise, and was, with Conkey Brothers, the leading merchants of Preston for many years. In 1874 he opened a branch store at Grand Meadow, the first in the place. In 1868 he purchased two sections of land, sections 15 and 22, town of Clayton, on which in 1869 he commenced improvements. In 1877 he settled on the farm and has since devoted his time to improvement of the same.

He was joined in marriage January 22, 1856 to Minerva E. Thayer. She was also born in the town of Springfield, New York.

Two children blessed this union named, Clarence and Claudine. Clarence, their first born died at the age of two and a half years.

Mr. Colman has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He was a member of the town board in Preston, and held the office of county commissioner in Fillmore County. He has been several times elected chairman of the board in Clayton.

History of Mower County, 1884

Transcribed and submitted to MnGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Jan. 13, 2007

 

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#2

Decatur B. Colman, now deceased, the father of Mrs. Charles Brownlow, was one of the most successful farmers in Mower County, at one time owning 2.650 acres of land in the county. He was born in the town of Springfield, Otsego County, New York, and September 21, 1826 and was reared to agricultural pursuit, receiving his education in the district schools and later attending Oriskany Academy in Onondaga for three terms. At seventeen years of age he began his life as a teacher, which profession he followed the greater part of his time for the following twelve years in the states of New York, Ohio, Wisconsin. He had during this time been engaged in clerking in a general store one and one half years.

In 1855 he moved to Iowa and located at Burr Oak, and there engaged in mercantile business. There he continued for two years. In 1859 he moved to Preston, Fillmore County, this state, where he was a pioneer. There he opened a store with a large stock of general merchandise, and was with Conkey Bros, the leading merchants of Prescott, for many years, in 1874 he opened a branch store at Grand Meadow, becoming the first store in the place.

In 1868 he purchased four sections of land in Clayton township, viz.: sections 14, 15, 22 and 23. Later he sold sections 14 and 23. In 1869 he commenced improvements on sections 15 and 22, and in 1877 settled on the farm, when he followed general farming until 1896, when he retired and moved to LeRoy.

He died July 12, 1900, and his wife passed away December 1, 1903. They were the parents of two children: Clarence, who died at two and a half years, and Claudine, who is now Mrs., Charles Brownlow, of LeRoy. Mr. Colman was married January 22, 1856, to Minerva E. Thayer, born in the town of Springfield, N.Y. Mr. Colman always took an active interest in public affairs, served as a member of the town board of Preston, was county commissioner of Fillmore country, and several times chairman of the board of supervisors in Clayton township.

History of Mower County 1911