William Henri Coldren, a young lawyer of bright promise, was born on the property now owned by George Hogg in Luzerne township, Fayette county, Penna, and is a son of Jesse Coldren, who was born in Menallen township and is now a resident of Uniontown.William H Coldren was reared on a farm, received his education at Dunlap's Creek Presbyterial Academy and at Kittanning. Her served as assistant bookkeeper at Fairchance Furnace for a few months, but soon abandoned commercial pursuits for the legal profession. He read law under the late Daniel Kaine of Uniontown and was subsequently admitted to the practice of law in the courts of Fayette county. In a short time after being admitted he removed to Pittsburgh, and entered upon the active practice of his profession. He was employed as attorney for the Pittsburgh & Western Railroad and in addition to attending to the business of this railroad company, he was at the same time building up a large and paying practice in the State and county courts. After eighteen months of successful practice, he died in Pittsburgh, January 16, 1883.
On June 21, 1876, he was united in marriage in Redstone township by Rev J T A Henderson to Miss Charlotte L Craft, a daughter of Elijah L Craft of Redstone township. His widow, an excellent woman, survives him and resides in Redstone township on property once owned by J N Craft.
In political faith Mr Coldren was an active, earnest and prominet worker of the republican party. In religious belief he was a zealous and useful member of the Presbyterian church of Pittsburgh. He was an influential member of the Royal Arcanum and was ever ready to work in lodge or church, public gathering or private enterprise. Of good personal appearance, he was courteous and affable, he was logical in argument, but brief and forcible in expression. He was cut down by death in the very opening of what promised to be a long and honorable career of usefulness and success.