James Millar Coleman Letters, PC.7042
Abstract
James Millar "Nemo" Coleman was an American soldier and First Lieutenant in World War I. The James Millar Coleman Letters consists of wartime correspondence between James and his family, as well as photographs and mementos from his time in the military and service in France during World War I.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- James Millar Coleman Letters
- Call Number
- PC.7042
- Creator
- Coleman, James Millar
- Date
- 1914 - 1919
- Extent
- 0.900 cubic feet
- Repository
- Western Regional Archives, State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as
stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers
are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well
as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.7042 , James Millar Coleman Letters, State Archives of North Carolina, Western Regional Archives, Asheville, NC.
Collection Overview
The James Millar Coleman Letters chiefly consist of correspondence between Coleman, his mother, uncle, and siblings. Also included are letters from a few friends, and letters between Coleman's mother, Mary Jane Wiel Coleman and her brother, John Wiel.
Arrangement Note
The letters are arranged chronologically. The photo album and oversized material are
housed separately.
Biographical/Historical
James Millar Coleman was born in Chester, South Carolina in 1895 to John Kennedy Coleman
and Mary Jane Wier Coleman. By 1900, he was living in the Montford section of Asheville,
North Carolina, with his parents and six siblings. In 1913, Coleman enrolled at the
University of North Carolina where he played varsity football and was a member of
Kappa Sigma.
Coleman joined the army in 1917 and received his training at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant. During his time in World War I, Coleman served
in France in Company E, 322nd Infantry, 81st Division. Coleman's regiment was stationed
east of Verdun, France. He took over command on November 10, 1918 - one day before
the end of the war - after the captain was killed.
After the war, Coleman resumed his studies the University of North Carolina, where
he was the captain of the football team in 1919 as well as a member of the baseball
team. In 1920, he earned his L.L. B. Following graduation, Coleman returned to Asheville
and entered into a career in real estate. In 1922, he married Frances Florine Rowland
and they had 4 daughters.
Coleman's civic and community involvement included serving as athletic director for
Bingham Military School, head coach for Asheville School for Boys, chairman of the
Municipal Board of Elections, and member of the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission.
He died in 1983 and is buried at the Calvary Episcopal Cemetery in Fletcher.