Coleman, Robert R. - Bell Farm Squatter
Robert Richardson Coleman (1854-1926) was born at Seeley’s Bay, Leeds County, Ontario and attended Belville Business College.
Like many others, he was drawn to opportunities in the developing West, and moved to Manitoba, then to Indian Head, where to laid claim to a homestead. In doing so, he became one of the squatters who laid claim to part of the Bell Farm lands that were surveyed by Henry Carre in 1881-82. The dispute over who had prior rights took two years to settle, and most of the squatters were paid for their claim late in 1884, and were offered new land locations by the federal government. A few fought to keep their land, and won.
After Coleman left the Indian Head region, he first moved to southern Alberta, where he homesteaded and, after meeting the necessary improvement conditions, was given free title to a Land Grant of 160 acres in 1887 at: SW12-22-3-w5m (SW of Calgary).
Coleman later moved to Edmonton, and ultimately to Washington State, where he opened a large mercantile business at Meteor. In 1906 he was elected Commissioner for Ferry County. He continued to excel in business and to seek public office and became a member of the State's House of Representatives in 1919, coming in 2nd in the 1918 and 1920 elections.
Apparently he never married or had children. He passed away April 28th 1926.
SOURCES:
Photo source:
http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/BB024957AA5AAE56B2336C8F932AB477http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Coleman&GSfn=Robert&GSmn=R+&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=41616900&df=all& - gravestone
http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/5A42CE04DC443DFB4EBD69BBD9E39EF3 - Death Record
http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/9A98551F468A4DB78D3C732F39C4B111 - 1910 Census
NOTE: Some records suggest Coleman was born in 1855; however, his tombstone lists 1854.
RESEARCH BY:
Michelle Cabana, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Frank Korvemaker, Regina, Sask.