My Genealogy Hound

MANLY B. COON. In the spring of 1864, among those who came to Berrien County with the intention of establishing permanent homes, was the subject of this biographical notice. Arriving here, he located on forty acres on section 12, Watervliet Township, where he has since resided, devoting his attention to the cultivation of the land, as well as his trade of a mason. Mr. Coon was born in Stafford, Genesee County, N. Y., August 6, 1824, his parents being Conrad and Charity (Vrooman) Coon.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Coon, was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., and was one of those valiant men who left home and loved ones to fight for independence. He served with distinguished bravery under Gen. Washington, and endured the terrible hardships of the winter at Valley Forge. At the close of the war he returned to his farm in Schoharie County, where he remained extensively engaged in farming pursuits until he was called from earth. His father was a native of Holland and had emigrated to America at a period quite early in the history of the Colonies.

Conrad Coon, father of our subject, was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., in January, 1794, and was there reared to manhood, his educational advantages being quite limited. In February, 1813, he married Miss Charity Vrooman and in the fall of the same year removed to Stafford, Genesee County, where he purchased eighty acres and devoted his attention to their improvement. He participated in the War of 1812 with a bravery and loyalty equal to that characterizing his father. In 1833 he sold his property in the Empire State and removed to Painesville, Ohio, where he purchased one farm of one hundred and thirty acres and another of one hundred acres. His death occurred January 18, 1840. His wife had passed away prior to his demise, May 3, 1836. They were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was a Class-leader. Politically, he was a Democrat, and socially was identified with the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, namely: Maria, David, Charles, Manly B., Susan, Mary, Lydia and Louisa. They also had an adopted son, William Perkins.

On his mother’s side, our subject traces his ancestry to John Vrooman, who emigrated from Holland to the United States and made settlement in Dutchess County, N. Y. His son, Bartholomew Vrooman, was born in that county and served for seven years in the Revolutionary War, being with Gen. Washington at Princeton and Valley Forge. He afterward settled in Schoharie County, N. Y., where he became an extensive farmer, and for a time was very prosperous, but failed through endorsing the notes of Albany merchants who failed. In 1813 he moved overland to Concord, Lake County, Ohio, where he entered and improved one hundred and twenty acres. His death occurred about 1838, at the age of eighty-four. Unto him and his wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Mattice, were born the following children: Charity, Polly, Frederick, Susan, Bartholomew, Daniel, David, James, Henry, Fannie, Nancy, Climena and Scriber. The mother was an educated and refined lady and a devoted member of the Christian Church. The children all reached mature years, married and reared families. The eldest of the number was the mother of our subject, whose birth occurred in Sharon, Schoharie County, N. Y.

Passing his boyhood in an uneventful manner on the old homestead, our subject commenced to learn the mason’s trade at the age of fifteen. This he has followed ever since, and has gained such proficiency at the trade that he is considered one of the most skilled workmen in the county. He resided in Lake County, Ohio, until 1860, when he removed to Van Buren County, and there operated as a renter for four years, engaging in the tilling of the soil during that time. In the spring of 1864 he located on forty acres on section 12, Watervliet Township, and here he has since made his home. He is one of the influential men of his community, is a leader in the Democratic party and has held a number of township offices.

April 24, 1849, occurred the marriage of Mr. Coon to Miss Almira Chapin, who was born near Bellows Falls, Vt., being the daughter of Calvin and Deborah (Tenney) Chapin, natives of New Hampshire. Mr. Chapin was of English descent, and followed the trade of a stone-mason until his death, which occurred in Concord Township, Lake County, Ohio. In his religious belief he was a Universalist. Mr. and Mrs. Coon have been the parents of six children: Charles M.; Emma, Mrs. Julius Stickney, deceased; George H.; Mary, the wife of Orange Hutchins; Frank C. and Coral M.