(Feb. 16, 1825-Feb. 2, 1881). Coulon was born in Goettingen, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1847 to avoid military service and moved from Boston to Indianapolis in 1852.

Once in Indianapolis, Coulon studied law with Robert L. Walpole and subsequently opened a real estate and law office. In 1856 he was elected to a four-year term as Justice Of The Peace (JP). When Mayor Henry F. West died in office, the Common Council unanimously elected him interim mayor until a special election could be held. Although elected as a Democrat, Coulon had refused to vote for that party after Democratic mayor James Mccready found him guilty of playing pool on a Sunday in 1855.

After two weeks as mayor, Coulon resumed his term as JP. He subsequently returned to his law practice and remained active in the Democratic Party. In 1858, he was secretary at a state meeting of Stephen Douglas Democrats. After an unsuccessful run for JP in 1860, he held public office again as school commissioner for the seventh ward (bounded by Delaware Street and Old Madison Avenue to the west, East Washington Street to the North, East Street to the West, and Raymond Street to the South) (1863-1864) and as JP (1864-1868).

Help improve this entry

Contribute information, offer corrections, suggest images.

You can also recommend new entries related to this topic.

CONTRIBUTE