Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives
User information
Biographical sketch
Scope and Content note
Cataloguing information
Processed by
Charles Latham
31 October 1994
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 1 item
COLLECTION DATE: 1889
PROVENANCE: Dorothy G. Helmer, Indianapolis IN, 11 July 1994
RESTRICTIONS: None
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS; Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
OTHER FINDING AIDS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: None
ACCESSION NUMBER: 94.0821
Sallie E. Coleman (ca 1860-1947) was the daughter of Colonel Michael A. Downing, who made a fortune with cable cars in Denver, then moved to Indianapolis and served as police commissioner (1884), president of the board of public works (1895-1901), and parks commissioner (1901-1908).
Sallie Downing's first husband was John H. Vajen, Jr.; they had a daughter, Suemma. After Mr. Vajen's death, she married William H. Coleman, a "self-made man" who had lumber factories in Indianapolis, Terre Haute, and Tennessee, and a lucrative contract to make oil barrels for Standard Oil.
From 1890 the Colemans lived in a handsome house at 1006 North Merdian Street in Indianapolis. They entertained extensively; among their out-of-town guests were inventor Guglielmo Marconi, actors E. H. Sothern and Julia Marlowe, and Richmond P. Hobson, who made his reputation during the Spanish-American War by almost singlehandedly sinking a freighter across the mouth of Santiago harbor in an effort to trap the Spanish fleet. They made a world tour in 1900, spending several months in Hong Kong, where Hobson then commanded the U. S. squadron.
The Colemans gave generously (reportedly over $1 million) to many causes, especially to several hospitals and to the libraries of Butler and Yale Universities. Mrs. Coleman also did a good deal of volunteer work, especially for the Red Cross and the Indianapolis Flower Mission.
Sources: Indiana Biographical Series, vol. 27 pp. 105-106, vol. 33 p. 7
J. P. Dunn, Greater Indianapolis, vol. 2 pp. 857-859
This collection contains one item, the diary of Sallie Coleman on her wedding trip to Europe from May to September 1889. The trip was a fairly standard one, beginning in Paris, then to Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and London. The couple met a great many people, and Mrs. Coleman did a great deal of shopping.
MAIN ENTRY: Coleman, Sallie E., ca. 1860-1947
SUBJECT ENTRIES: Coleman, Sallie E., ca. 1860-1947--Diaries
Voyages and travels
Honeymoon--Indiana--Indianapolis
Honeymoon--Europe
Travelers--Indiana--Indianapolis--Diaries
Travelers--Europe--Diaries
Europe--Description and travel
END