Biography William Coffin Coleman

coleman 2 of employees standing in front of baptist railroad chapel car in wichita, kansas (1911).

while selling typewriters in alabama, coleman saw lantern used gasoline instead of kerosene. switched sales lanterns, believing these useful. began craft own lantern, marketed coleman arc lamp.

in 1901 coleman married fanny sheldon , moved wichita, kansas. had 2 children: sheldon , clarence coleman.

coleman developed called g.i. pocket stove, in addition gasoline lamp. used factory business called coleman lamp , stove company. after 2 decades in wichita, coleman entered politics, joining republican party. elected mayor of wichita 1 two-year term, serving 1923 through 1924.

coleman died in wichita, kansas on november 2, 1957 heart attack. buried in old mission mausoleum, wichita, kansas.