Edward P. Coltman mayor of the city of Idaho Falls, and easily to be reckoned as one of the foremost citizens of the city, community and state, died Thursday afternoon at five o'clock after an illness of a few days' duration. The death of Mr. Coltman is distinct loss to the city which he loved so well and to which he gave the best years of his life as an active citizen and public official and is a loss which will not easily be repaired. The funeral services will be held from the Catholic church of which he was a member at three o'clock, Sunday afternoon, the services to be conducted by the Rev. Father W. S. Kress, of Cleveland, Ohio, a friend of Mr. Coltman and of the family, who has been a guest of the family the past few weeks. The body will lie in state at the residence on Water Avenue tomorrow, Saturday, afternoon from two until five o'clock for the purpose of giving his friends an opportunity to view the mortal remains of the city's distinguished citizen for the last time. The interment will be at the city cemetery in the family burial grounds. The several lodges and organizations of which Mr. Coltman was a prominent member will attend the funeral services. Edward Phillip Coltman was born at Hoytsdale, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, April the 12, 1863, being 47 years of age at the time of his death. His first business experience was that of a telegraph operator at Youngstown, Ohio, which occupation he entered upon as a young man being about eighteen years of age. From there he was transferred to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, from there to Corning, Iowa, which was then considered far in the west. From this latter place he was transferred to Forsythe, Montana, this being his first western home, in a country which he has done much to develop and hew out of the rough. He entered upon his career as railroad agent at Beaver Canyon, Montana about twenty-five years ago, coming from that place to the then Eagle Rock, where he looked after the railroad interest as agent. From this labor he entered into the lumber business, organizing the Coltman Lumber Co. one of the strongest financial, and most prosperous business enterprises in the Intermountain country. He was the president and head of this company which he has built up from a very small business, at the time of his death. The career of Edward P. Coltman during his life in the west and particularly in the city of Idaho Falls has been one of active interest, taking a deep personal interest in all that pertained to the city and community's welfare. Giving liberally of his time, his thought and his means he has been known as one of the foremost citizens of the prosperous community which he helped to build and of which he has been a prominent factor. Mr. Coltman has been an active man in politics during all his life here, a member of the democratic party, serving the county as sheriff under the administration of that party and two terms as postmaster of the city under democratic administration. He served the city two terms as mayor and was serving his third term as mayor after a lapse of two years at the time of his death. He was the president of the executive board of the Club of Commerce, a member of the executive committee of the associated commercial clubs of the valley and active in other business ways. He was a member in good standing in the Masons, Elks, Odd Fellows, Eagles and Knights of Pythias. Several years ago, Mr. Coltman suffered the misfortune to lose his large lumber stock by fire but with the characteristic energy which has ever stood him in need and made him a forceful man in the community, he soon reorganized his business building it larger than ever. As a businessman, Mr. Coltman was known to be a man of the strictest integrity, honestly fulfilling every obligation to the letter. As a citizen he was respected and honored for his good qualities of mind and heart, winning for himself many friends who regret his untimely departure. He was known to be generous and open hearted to a fault, true to his friends and loyal to their interests. As an executive he was a man of unquestioned ability and devoted much time to the public good which could have well been devoted to his own interests. He was ever alive to the interests of the community and fulfilled his obligations well. He took great pride in the growth and prosperity of the city and was a potent factor in its upbuilding. He was largely interested in the great municipal improvements now in progress devoting much time to the necessary detail work. In his former administrations he was very aggressive in the city's interests. As a husband and father, his home life was ideal, and it is here where he will be most sadly missed. Kind, indulgent and affectionate he was greatly loved by his family. Mr. Coltman is survived by his wife and four daughters. Mrs. B. M. Brookfield, Misses Alice, Agatha and Margaret. The loss of the son, Vincent several years ago was a sorrowing event in the family life. Mr. Coltman is survived by his parents who live in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, three brothers and four sisters, all of whom live in Pennsylvania with the exception of his brother William, who makes his home in this city. The death of Edward Phillip Coltman is deeply deplored and regretted by the citizens of the community who honored and respected him as a man and as an executive. The funeral services will be largely attended.

Edward Phillip Coltman

Male12 April 1864 – 1 September 1910 

Family Search ID # L8BQ-L8T