David U. Coolman was born in Salamonie township, Huntington county, Indiana, on the old farm which is now his home, having first opened his eyes to the light of day on February 2, 1869.  He is a son of Daniel and Margaret J. (Dalrymple) Coolman, old and respected residents of this county, where every one knew and liked them. Daniel Coolman was born January 10, 1835, in Preble county, Ohio, and was but two years of age when he came to this county with his father, William Coolman, who lived a short time in the southern part of the state and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in section thirty-four, this county, and resided on it until his death, about 1875, was an industrious man with kindly nature and very popular throughout the county.  He was a member of the Presbyterian church, but took no part in politics and never would allow his name to be used as a candidate for office.  Daniel, son of William, married Margaret J. Dalrymple, a native of this county, and was born October 1, 1846.  Since the death of her husband she makes her home with her children.  Daniel Coolman was a man of powerful form, weighing about three hundred and thirty pounds; but this fact did not detract from his activity and usefulness in life.  He enlisted at Warren in Company I, One Hundred Thirty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, and took part in the Civil war.  He was the father of two children, David U., and Rosie E., who is the wife of E.R. Hall and the mother of two children; and Thelma M., who died at the age of four months; and Max Coolman.

David Coolman attended the common school in his boyhood and secured a pretty good knowledge of the rudiments of education.  He remained at home until his twenty-third year when he was married and located in Rock Creek township, where he engaged in farming for about seven years.  In August, 1898, he moved back to the old homestead which his father had purchased in 1865.  He has eighty-five acres of well-improved land, thoroughly drained with tile and under perfect cultivation.  He does general farming, raises considerable stock and is one of the prosperous farmers of this section.

Mr. Coolman was united in marriage February 4, 1892, to Miss Emma Crandell, who was born May 12, 1871, a daughter of Luther and Susanna (Cupp) Crandell, of Rock Creek township.  Her father was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, February 19, 1837, and the mother in Perry county, April 2, 1842.  They came to Rock Creek township in 1847 and entered a tract of wild land in section twenty-three, but sold it in 1871 and moved to Huntington, where they engaged in the stock business and in handling fruit trees.  The mother died February 27, 1879, aged thirty-six years.  Mr. Coolman and his wife have one child, Urshel Francis, who was born November 7, 1892.  They are members of the Disciples church and their sterling integrity has endeared them to a large circle of friends.  Mr. Coolman is a Republican.  He is an industrious and capable young man, whose steadfastness of purpose and loftiness of character makes him one of the most desirable members of society.