Biography of George Cole; 1915 Standard History of Stark County, Indiana by Joseph N. McCormick- reproduced by Starke County, In, Genealogy Society. George Cole. A resident of Indiana more than twenty years, George Cole came to Starke County about fourteen years ago, spent some ten or eleven years in business as a merchant at Knox, and then moved to a farm in section 30 of California township. He is an example of a business man turned farmer, and his success is evidenced from the fact that the products from his land under his management has been awarded five first and second premium at local fairs. George Cole was born in Lee County, Virginia, August 21, 1851, and came from a prominent old family of southern stock. His grandfather David Cole, who married Jane Talbott, was born and married in Clinton County, Kentucky. He was the most prominent man of that section of the blue grass state, and the county seat of Albany was laid out on his land. He owned a large amount of town farm and town property, and for many years was a leading citizen of that locality. His wife died at Albany when in middle life, after the birth of eight children, and David then married her sister and there were three more children. No citizen in Clinton County was so well known as David Cole. He was esteemed for both what he had accomplished and for his influence and generosity. It is said his pioneer home was opened both day and night to friends and traveling strangers, and his hospitality was unbounded, and in that way typical of traditional southern homestead. While he prospered in material affa! irs, he shared all that he had with his friends and neighbors. There was hardly a day when his home was not filled with visitors and, was a fine illustration of the old Kentucky planter whose life and property was at the service of the community. It is said when he killed hogs for himself, he killed as many more for his neighbor and friend. David Mason Cole, father of George Cole, was born at the old homestead in Clinton County, Kentucky, grew up there, and when still a young man moved to Virginia, and established a home in Lee County, Virginia. He was married to Jane Christenberry, who belonged to a family of German stock, long established in Virginia and many members of which followed various mechanical trades and industry. David M. Cole died on his farm in Lee County when fifty-one years of age. His widow subsequently moved to the home of an older daughter in Clinton County, Kentucky, and died at the age of eighty-six years. She was a Methodist while David M. Cole was a Baptist, and in politics a democrat. There were eight children in the family: Mary J., widow of Joseph Suttlef , living in Elliott County, Kentucky where her aged mother died; Elvia widow of Hughs Wilder, living in Kansas and the mother of two sons and two daughters; Robert, who is a Nebraska farmer, and has four daughters and one son; Geo! rge; Josephine who died at the age of six; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Job Hobbs of Elliott County, Kentucky, and they had three sons and three daughters; and Mrs. William Smith, the wife of a Kansas farmer, with a family of eight children. George Cole grew up in Lee County, Virginia, and was educated in the public schools and after finishing school spent five years as a teacher in Elliott County, Kentucky. On March 4, 1892, he came to Indiana, locating near Tipton County, and was a farmer in that vicinity until 1900. That year marked his removal to the city of Knox, where he engaged in business as a dealer in harness and shoes until 1911. Mr. Cole gave up merchandising and moved to California Township, buying 80 acres of land in section 30. Under his management sixty acres have been well improved, while there is a good stand of native timber on the land. Mr. Cole raises usual staple crops of this county including corn and oats, and in 1914 had eight acres of onions, producing about two thousand bushels. He keeps good grades of stock, and has much enterprise in maintaining his farm up to the best standards of Starke County, agriculture. In Lee County, Virginia Mr. Cole married Miss Sara C. Smith. She was born March 6, 1859, and was reared and educated in that section of Virginia, A daughter of James and Martha (Myers) Smith. Her father was a union man during the War of the Rebellion, and because of his allegiance to the north the Confederates took him prisoner, and at the same time carried away a horse valued at $5,000. After he had been taken a hundred miles from home he was killed, while the horse was confiscated. He left a widow, since deceased, and several small children. To the marriage of George Cole and his wife have been born eleven children. Joseph and Rosa died young, while James died after his marriage. The living children are: Martha wife of Thomas Lewis of Chicago, and to there marriage one son died young, and a daughter Hortense is now aged eighteen and attending high school; Rebecca is the wife of Oliver Maynard, of Tipton County, and they had a child Goodsel; Lawrence is a California Townsh! ip farmer and married Mary Lee; Amanda is wife of Frank Harris of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and there are Russel, Cleo, Patrick and Ruth; Cleo lives at home; Palmer lives in Wisconsin; Eugene is foreman in a machine shop in Chicago; Herschel lives at home and attends the North Judson High School. The family are members of the Methodist Church, Mr. Cole has been a Republican since the time of President McKinley. I typed this bio exactly as found. Would appreciate any additional information. Correction I know of are: SuttleF - Suttles Elvia - Elvira Hugh -Huse