Legislator Details
Portrait of Hutson Benedict Colman scanned from Men of Progress p.318.
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Fannie Z. Lowell, dau. of Dr. L. W. Lowell of Climax, 1/17/1883. She died December 1884; children: 1, Lovell [b.1884]married Catherine Fletcher, dau. of Calvin Fletcher of South Haven, 9/28/1897, in Kalamazoo.
Number of Children: 1
Background
Education:
public schools; graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1877
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Francis from Brockport, NY and Mary Benedict Colman from an old Connecticut family. The family moved to Kalamazoo in 1866. After graduation from Kalamazoo College, he became the superintendent of schools in Hastings. He visited Paris, France in 1878 and wrote a series of newspaper articles based on his trip impressions. He was principal of the Kalamazoo High School for 2 years. He declined reappointment to engage in business. He started a long line of manufacturing enterprises in Kalamazoo. He entered politics in 1896. He was appointed postmaster. He organized the Home Savings Bank in 1892 and was its president for 4 years, and was a director for the bank, several industrial enterprises in Kalamazoo, a stock holder in the Borden Paper Company in Otsego, a trustee in the Kalamazoo College and director in the YMCA. He was a Mason, including Peninsular Commandery, Knight of Templar, at Kalamazoo, and DeWitt Clinton Consistory of Grand Rapids.
Notable Facts:
Took first in an intercollegiate oratorical contest while at Kalamazoo College.
Burial plot: Section: 5, Lot: 22, Grave: 2