Rev. J. Clay Coleman was born 4 miles south of Durant, Holmes Co., Mississippi, Feb. 1st, 1876. Lived in Goodman, Holmes Co., Miss., until 1888. His parents were slaves on Tome Bigbee River, Alabama, a number of years, and afterwards sold to Botus, at Lexington, Holmes Co., Miss.; from Botus to Fletcher Harrington, at Goodman.

Peter Coleman, the father of J. C. Coleman, was very much devoted to his family, and took care to see that each of his seven children was to some extent educated. John Clay Coleman proceeded to the study of law; but by divine providence he was led to the study of the Bible, and became a minister and travelling Biblical illustrating lecturer. Mr. Coleman and the bulk of his relatives are Methodists, the majority of whom being members of the same Church at Georgeville, Miss. Mrs. Rowena Coleman, the faithful mother of Mr. Coleman, prayed that his calling would be to preach the gospel. Her fervent prayers are heard and answered. In 1887, J. C. Coleman had the management of the country mail route from Goodman to Cocksburg, Miss. Began travelling as lecturer in 1888. In 1892 he travelled the south through; visited the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893, and appeared at the Turkish Panorama of the Holy Land, in the interest of “Coleman’s Great Biblical Exhibition.” This unique exhibition was methodized by Mr. Coleman in his youth, and had developed at this crisis into the most instructive mode of illustrating the Scriptures to Bible students. His liberality toward different institutions the past eight years has marked him a philanthropist. He has sacrificed time, talent, and “earthly store” to the advancement of his people. When leaving the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, he was fully determined to impart his remaining years to missionary work in Africa. He entered Canada in the “power of the Holy Spirit,” was ordained minister of the gospel at the Annual Conference of the A. M. E. Church, by Bishop H. M. Turner, at Windsor, Ont., Sept. 1st, 1895. Married Miss Hattie E. Johnson, of Halifax, N. S. Matrimony performed by Rev. James M. Henderson, M.A., D.D., President of Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 17th, 1894.

His wife being a consistent Church woman, has added well to his success in the ministry. He was educated for the ministry at Victoria University, Toronto, Ont., being the first colored student in this great University since its establishment in the City of Toronto. He was received with a cordial cheering.

His fame as an illustrating lecturer is extensive. Having collected from the Southern Horrors scenic views, and resplendently presented them by use of stereopticons before immense audiences, chiefly white people, who desired direct and accurate information of the condition of the “negro in the South,” Mr. Coleman has caused a sensation everywhere seen and heard. Persons have arose after his lectures and said, “Mr. Chairman, I move that a vote of thanks be tendered Professor Coleman for his excellent lecture and impressive views on the progress of the colored people in the Southern States. He has indeed given us facts concerning the outrages on the people of his nationality, illustrated by pictures taken from natural life.” Voices could be heard exclaiming, “Hear! hear!!” in all parts of the audience. Amid these demonstrations a unanimous vote would be rendered, and an immediate protest against the unfair burdens lavished upon the negro in the South would warmly ensue.

Mr. Coleman learned in his early public career, that the negro journals were not read by white people, and it was his highest ambition to carry the news to them. He is not, therefore, as prominent in his own race as he would be had he confined himself solely to them. That the Rev. Mr. Coleman is an original race man, is evidently seen in some notes on his boyhood traits, and his continuous advancement to a renowned defender of peace, prosperity, and race protection, both home and abroad. The leading elements of Goodman attest these facts in a meeting held in 1888, in honor of his departure: “We the undersigned citizens of Goodman know Prof. John C. Coleman to be a polite and inoffensive gentleman. We further know him to be of religious and high moral character, and trustworthy in all of his dealings. We hope his aim set forth, to achieve greater victories for his people, will be successfully accomplished. Signed, J. D. Powers, W. D. Waugh, L. W. Houghes, Robert Ford, A. S. Brumby, M.D., Rev. J. L. Crawford, P. Ward, J. M. Moody, W. W. Crawford, W. C. Graham, C. Davis.”

The reader of “The Jim Crow Car” will note that the author has not tried to show the “dark side” of his race. Illustrations of the poor unfortunate ex-slaves are not used, as in some books, touching the subjects herein.

Toronto, January 15, 1898.

THE JIM CROW CAR.