Robert Davis Coleman

Robert Davis Coleman Oral History
OH
2-9 Jan. 1979
1 transcript, 3 tapes
Manuscript Section, Indiana Division
Indiana State Library

Processed by: Christina Baich, May 2006

Biographical Note:

Robert Davis Coleman was born on December 21, 1898, in Indianapolis, Indiana. His parents were Lewis Austin, also a lawyer, and Maggie Alice (Davis) Coleman. He graduated from Indiana University with an A.B. (1921) and Harvard Law School with an LL.B. (1924). He was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1924. On August 5, 1925, Coleman married Mary Phyllis Clarke of Cadillac, Michigan. They had two children, Mary Jane and Richard C. In addition to his law career, he served on a number of Boards of Directors including the Bankers Trust Company (1942-1956); Fidelity Bank and Trust Company (1956-1959); and Riverside Amusement Park (1934-1970). Coleman also served as Deputy Prosecutor of Marion County (1930-1934). He died on September 2, 1981.

Source:
Hawkins, Hubert H. and Robert R. McClarren. Indiana Lives. Hopkinsville, KY: Historical Record Association, 1967.

Scope and Content Note:

The collection contains a transcript and cassettes of three interviews of Robert Davis Coleman conducted by his daughter, Mary Jane Meeker. During the first interview, Coleman discusses his childhood (p. 1-38). The second interview continues the discussion of his childhood. He also discusses his parents and extended family, his father’s law practice, and his own early years as a lawyer (p. 39-73). During the third interview, Coleman tells about his father’s family; the Riverside Amusement Park; trips with his wife, Phyllis; his first horse; and how he came to live at 8110 North Illinois Street (p. 74-111).

Item Listing:

1979 Jan. 2 Cassette tape
1979 Jan. 5 Cassette tape
1979 Jan. 9 Cassette tape
1979 Jan. 2-9 Transcript 

Collection Information:

Size of Collection:
1 typed transcript, 3 cassette tapes
 
Collection Dates:
2-9 January 1979
 
Provenance:
Mary Jane Meeker, 1979
 
Access: This collection is open for research.
Restrictions:
Photocopying of the transcript is prohibited.
 
Reproduction Rights:
Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library.  Possession of a reproduction from an Indiana State Library collection does not constitute permission for use.
 
Language Materials are entirely in English.
Alternate Formats:
 
Related Holdings: 

Notes:

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