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Dr. Walter Jackson Coleman and his wife, Mary Eugenia (DuBose), moved to Texas with their family from Isney, Alabama in 1897. After settling in the railroad town of Mineola, a traveling salesman persuaded Dr. Coleman to invest in the pharmacy business, resulting in establishment of the Coleman Family Drug Store in 1902. Early on, Dr. Coleman developed trust with his patients by making house calls and opening his home to those in need. He often accepted food as payment for his medical treatments in the general custom of the time. His store was well stocked with medicines, some developed by Dr. Coleman and his son, Charlie. Charlie Coleman, familiar with patent formulas before he graduated from high school, received a pharmacist license in 1912 and helped run the business. In 1933, two of his brothers, Robert and John, both doctors, set up a clinic adjacent to the store, which Charlie took over after their father died in 1937. The clinic closed at the start of World War II when John and Robert joined the armed forces. After the war, Robert and John practiced medicine in other state, but Charlie continued to manage the Mineola store. His civic contributions included four terms as city commissioner and service as Mayor Pro Tem in 1926. He also served on the Mineola school board, the draft board and the equalization board. The Coleman Family Drug Store continued to thrive with several family members working here before later pursuing careers in the medical field. It closed in 1964 because of Charlie’s declining health. He passed away on Decembe r9, 1968 and was buried in the Mineola City Cemetery. (2005) |
