This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.ca/mbexec/msg/5543/hlT.2ACEB/2053.2056.2078.1.2 Message Board Post: I was scrolling through the message board tonight and found you. I found an interesting article at the Lakeshore Public Library put out by the Harrow Genealogical Society. It is called the Commerative Biographical Record pages 474 and 475 were about the Coles: I did not photocopy all of the information as I was not looking for this family , I was trying to understand the settling of the Maidstone area. "Abraham Cole, a prominent --- county cuncillor of Essex, located on --- Lot 12, Concession 7, Sandwich South, born April 11, 1845 on the present -- - of Charles and Ellen (Driscoll) , both of old and prominent familes. Charles Cole was born in February, 1800, in Ireland, where his wife was also born a few yers later. When about twenty years of age he came seeking employment in the lumber regions of New Brunswick, and worked along the St. John's river for some four or five years. He then took passage for Massachusetts, and in the city of Boston met Ellen Driscoll, an orphan, and there they married. Some five years were spent in Boston, Mr. Cole finidng work in a large flouring mill, but in 1830 they came to Canada, anxious to settle on land of their own. Mr. Cole bought a tract of wild land from Col. Talbot, on the line of Maidstone and Sandwich South townships, and there made some improvements, but in 1831 bouth the present more desirable home. It was still all bush, but he soon hewed out logs for a cabin that provided a sufficient shelter untl a more substantial one could be erected. May hardships were endured ! by these pioneers, who wrought with might and main to secure for their children the comforts they now enjoy. The devoted wife died in 1887, and the sorrowing husband followed in the succeeding year. They were devoted Catholics, and assisted in the founding of the first church of their faith in the township. In politics Mr. Cole was a Conservative. They were the parents of these children: (1) Thomas, born at Boston, Massachusetts, in young manhood engaged on the Pere Marquette railroad at Flint Michigan, and still lives there, being one of the oldest employes of the road and one of the most valued; he married Ellen O'Brien of Flint and they have four children, Thomas, James, Mary and Fannie. (2) Richard born in Boston, was reared in Canada and there married Ellen Maher of Sandwich, and they settled at Detroit, where he died in 1894, leaving children, Charles of STate of Washington; John of Philadelphia; William, of Washington, and Mary, a teacher in the Philadelphia pub! lic schools. (3) Charles, born in Boston, married Margaret Dougherty, of Michigan and they settled at Hawley, in that State where he worked as a railroad man until his death in Flint in 1878 leaving three children. Charles, Nellie and Fannie, all of Flint. (4) Frank born at Sandwich, married Maggie O'Donald of Minnnesota, and he now resides in Chicago; she died in Saginaw, Michigan; their children were, Charles, deceased, James, in Chicago, where he is vice-president and general manager of the Consumer's Ice and Coal Company, Frank of Saginaw; William deceased of Chicago; Abraham, Mary and Maggie, all of Chicago (5) Frances, deceased was the widow of William Lyons, of Windsor and the mother of Edward, a prominent citizen of Kingston, Ont.; Katie of Wisconsin; while Mary and Charles are deceased. (6) John died aged eleven years. (7) James Cole married Jan McCarthy, now decased, and he is now a prominent railroad contractor in the States. (8) Abraham was eighth in order of birth. in 1849, and he married Catherine Driscoll, a member of an o! ld Sandwich South family, and they now reside on a part of the old Cole homestead. They have these children, Mary, William, Ellen, Josephine, Alice, Maggie and Katie. Abraham Cole was reared on the old homestead and taught lessons of industry, economy and thrift. His education was somewhat limited, but he became well posted in practical farming. His parents were under his care in their declining years. On February 11, 1879 Mr. Cole married Maggie McGuigan born at Penetanguishene, on Lake Huron, in October 1849, a daughter of Peter and Margaret McGuigan, who came to Canada from County Down, Ireland. Mr. McGuigan was a soldier connected with the British army and served fifteen years with the First Royals, when he was transferred to the Canadian Rifles and took part in the ware of 1837038, participating in all the battles of the Rebellion. He was born in 1803, and gave twenty-six years of loyal service to the Crown, being a sergeant in rank, and serving in Ireland, Engl! and, Scotland, the East Indies and Canada, and he was honorably discha rged and pensioned for life. In 1852, after his discharge, Mr. McGuigan purchased a farm near Niagara, where they resided seven years. In 1859 they came to Sandwich South where he bought a farm and lived her until the time of his death in 1868. His widow, born in 1800 died in February 1890 at the Sandwich home. They were the parents of five children, namely: Alexander, born in Belfast, IReland, married and died there; Peter born in Ireland, emigrated to America, and died on his farm at Kempton Illinois, leaving a family of six chidlren: Charles, born in Canada married Ellen Sexton, and lives in Windsor with a family of eleven children; James born in Canada, married and settled in Ford Couty, Illiniois and has five children; and Mrs. Cole who was the youngest of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Cole settled on the old Cole homestead, and there they have lived until the present time. Many changes have taken place, substantial improvements have been made on every side, the surro! undings have imporved, this land has become more productive under careful tillage, and a family of four birght, intellectual children have grown up around them. These additions to the original family circle deserve special mention: Charles, born July 29, 1881 completed the common school course, and then fitted himself for business at the University of Detroit; he is now most capably serving as clerk in Windsor; Fannie J, born in 1889, is a graduate of the public schools; and Gertrude L, born in 1892 is still in school. Politically Mr. Cole has always been identified with the Liberal party, and for many years has been called upon to serve in positions of trust and responsibility. In 1869 he was elected auditor, and in 1875-76 to his first term in the township council; for nine years he was tax collector, and in 1893 was again elected to the county council, serving four yers; he has been reeve, and for twelve years has been county councillor, a position which holds at pre! sent. In 1896 he was elected county warden. On account of his eminen t fitness, Mr. Cole has many times been selected a member of committees to adjust county affairs, and has most efficiently served on the committee which selected the location of the house of refuge at Leamington, the county buildings committee, and many others. Few men of the township have taken a more active part in religious affairs in this locality than has Mr. Cole. With liberality he has contributed to the Catholic Church, and has placed therein three memorial windows, for his parents and himself in St. Mary's Church of Maidstone Cross. He belongs to Branch No. 1 CMBA of Windsor. Mr. Cole is most highly esteemed through this seciton of the county, wher ehe has been intimately known from childhood, and in every relation of life he is considered a good and worthy citizen. I do apologize for any spelling errors, and also I do not know the date of this article.