C. Joseph Coleman

C. Joseph Coleman
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 7th district
In office
January 10, 1983 – January 13, 1991
Preceded byArthur Gratias
Succeeded byJames Kersten
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 23rd district
In office
January 8, 1973 – January 9, 1983
Succeeded byArthur A. Small
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 15th district
In office
January 11, 1971 – January 7, 1973
Preceded byHarold Thordsen
Succeeded byRalph Wilson Potter
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 35th district
In office
January 9, 1967 – January 10, 1971
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 36th district
In office
January 11, 1965 – January 8, 1967
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 17th district
In office
January 14, 1963 – January 10, 1965
Preceded byHarry L. Cowden
Succeeded byJack Schroeder
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 27th district
In office
January 14, 1957 – January 13, 1963
Personal details
BornCharles Joseph Coleman
(1923-03-14)March 14, 1923
DiedJuly 26, 2002(2002-07-26) (aged 79)
PartyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Katherine Ann Burken
​
​
(m. 1945; died 1950)​

Polly Pflanz
​
(m. 1954)​
Children3
EducationIowa State University
Bradley University
OccupationPolitician, farmer, businessman

Charles Joseph Coleman Sr. (March 14, 1923 – July 26, 2002) was an American politician.

Personal life

C. Joseph Coleman was born on March 14, 1923, to parents Daniel and Geneva Coleman in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The family resided in Clare, where Joseph was raised. After completing his primary and secondary education at St. Matthew's Academy in his hometown, Coleman enrolled at Iowa State University and subsequently transferred to complete his college education at Bradley University. Coleman was married twice, first to Katherine Ann Burken from October 1945 to her death in December 1950, and then to Polly Pflanz from January 1954. Joseph Coleman had three sons, C. Joseph Jr. Kerry, and Kevin Gerard.[1] A grandson, C. Joseph III and known as Joey, is a motivational speaker.[2] C. Joseph Coleman died at the age of 79, on July 26, 2002.[1]

Public service career

After graduating from college, Coleman worked for the Iowa Conservation Service. Politically, he was affiliated with the Democratic Party. Coleman won his first election to the Iowa Senate in 1956, and served continuously until 1991.[1] His tenure as Iowa's longest-serving state legislator ended in an election loss to James Kersten.[3][4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Senator C. Joseph Coleman". Iowa General Assembly. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  2. ↑ "Words of wisdom". The Messenger. 6 January 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "Election '90: Kramer beats Urban; Democrats retain legislative control". Des Moines Register. November 7, 1990. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Republicans savoring legislative inroads made in Tuesday's showdown". Des Moines Register. 8 November 1990. Retrieved 2 September 2025.