COMPENDIUMOF BIOGRAPHY Of Henry County, Indiana B.F.Bowen 1920 Surnames mentioned in this biography are: Cole, Gard, Wooters, SANFORDL. COLE.                      Henry County can boast of fewmore   progressive or enterprising farmersthan          the well-known gentlemanwhose name forms the caption to this review. He is considered one of theleading agriculturists of Dudley township and as a citizen is intelligent andenterprising, combining within himself those sterling qualities of man hoodthat make not only a useful member of society, but a leader in whatever heundertakes. Sanford L. Cole was born in Fayette County, Indiana, on the 10th ofJuly. 1846, and is the son of A. M. B. and Mahala (Gard) Cole. The Cole familywere originally from Virginia and were of German descent. When A. M. B. Colewas a lad of four years his father crossed the mountains from his native stateinto Montgomery County, Ohio, where he followed the occupation of a wagon makerand carpenter. About 1823 he removed to Fayette County, Indiana, and thereentered forty acres of land. It was in the midst of a dense woods          and in true pioneer style he at onceerected a cabin and started in to create for himself          and family a home. He lived there for some years, andwhen he disposed of the place A. M. B. Cole, the father of the subject, boughta farm near by and entered upon its improvement. He married Mahala Gard whoseparents had come from Ohio and had also settled in that locality as pioneers. Theylater sold their first entry and bought one hundred and one acres oftimberland, on which they made their home until the death of the father. He hadadded to his first purchase until he owned at the time of his death one hundredand ninety-six acres. He was well known in Fayette County, was apublic-spirited citizen and in politics was a Republican. He was a member ofthe Christian church throughout his life and died in that faith. To A. M. B.Cole and his wife there were born the following children: Perry P., Phillip,Alvin, Catherine, Elizabeth, Jerry, Sarah J, Sanford R, Benjamin F, andMorrison B.  The subject of this sketchwas reared upon his father's farm and was early initiated into the mysteries ofhusbandry. He attended the common schools of his neighborhood, was proficientin his studies and taught one term of school in Henry County.  He remained at home until he had attainedhis majority and upon his marriage entered at once upon the farm, which he now occupies.He at once erected the present farm buildings and proceeded to the cultivationof the farm, which he has continued uninterruptedly to the present time. Heowns seventy acres of land and has brought the place up to a high standard ofexcellence.  On the 2nd of October 1872,Mr. Cole was united in marriage with Miss Missouri Wooters. She was bornSeptember 8, 1853, and in her youth was given the benefit of a good commonschool education. Her parents were of German extraction and were natives ofUnion County, this state. Until        1872 Mr. Cole was a Republican in politics, but since that time has casthis ballot and          influence infavor of the Prohibition Party.  At onetime he served as deputy assessor of        his Township. He was also a member of the Grange at one time. He and hiswife are          members of theChristian church and are active in all good works, being especially so         in the Sunday school, of which he hasserved as superintendent. He is a wide reader of         the best literature and has a well-stocked andwell-selected library of books. He retains a deep interest in the progress andwell being of his township and freely contributes of his means to all worthyobjects.  He is highly respected by hisneighbors, and is regarded all over the township as one of its best and mostprominent citizens.