Biographical Sketch of

Bryon Cole

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 607 - 608 


Bryon Cole, who is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Waushara County, of 1852, is now engaged in 
farming on section 1 in the town of Marion.  He was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., April 17, 1831, 
and is a son of Daniel M. and Mary (Bigelow) Cole, both of whom were natives of Vermont.  Their marriage 
was celebrated in the Green Mountain State, and in 1820, they removed to New York, settling in Cattaraugus 
County, where Mr. Cole followed carpentering for many years.  He later engaged in farming, which was his 
business at the time of his death.  Both he and his wife passed away in the native county of our subject.  
They were highly respected people, whose Christian characters won them many friends.  In early life Mr. 
Cole was supporter of Democratic party, but entertaining strong abolition principles, he joined the 
Republican party, which was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery.  The family of this 
worthy couple numbered the children following:  A. A., who was one of the earliest settlers and is 
still a resident of Waushara County; Edwin F., who was killed during the trouble with the Sioux Indians 
at Deadwood, Dak.; Allen T., who served as captain in a New York regiment for three years and is now a 
leading attorney of Waverly, Van Buren Co., Iowa; Lyman, who followed the sea as one of the crew of the 
old ship, "Columbus" for three years, but is now living in Dakota; Vernon, a resident of Black River 
Falls, Wis., who served in the late war and is living near the same city; Byron of this sketch; Ozro, 
who is living on the old homestead in New York, and Miriam, wife of a Mr. Wilcox, also of the Empire 
State.
 
In the usual manner of farmer lads our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth.  During the winter
season he attended the district schools of the neighborhood, while in the summer he assisted his father in 
the cultivation of the home farm.  On leaving the parental roof, in 1852, he made his way to Wisconsin and 
from that time until the present has been a resident of Waushara County.  Shortly after his arrival he 
entered eighty acres of his present farm, the land being then in its primitive condition.  Not a furrow 
had been turned or an improvement made, but with characteristic energy he began the development of a farm, 
determining to make the pursuit which he had followed in his boyhood days, his life work.  Those who know 
the circumstances in which he started out in this county, see that his choice has proved a wise one.  The 
little frame house which he built in those early days still forms a part of his present commodious residence,
but it is furnished with and surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, and gives 
evidence of the prosperity which has crowned the efforts of the owner.
 
Having made preparations for a home, Mr. Cole, in 1856, was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Sanders.  
They began their domestic life on the farm which he had made and every thing went smoothly and pleasantly 
until 1861.  From earliest days, the sympathies of Mr. Cole have been enlisted in behalf of the oppressed 
bondsmen of the South, and when war resulted from the strong feelings which had grown up between the rival 
sections, he felt it his duty to strike a blow for the preservation of the Union and his country's honor.  
Bidding a sad farewell to his wife and two little children, on the 9th of May, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
I, 7th Wisconsin Infantry for three years service.  The regiment was organized at Madison and then marched 
to the front.  Many were the important engagements in which it participated, including the battle of 
Arlington Heights and Fredericksburg.  During the summer of 1862, it did garrison duty for a portion of 
the time.  Joining the Army of the Potomac, on the 28th of August, it participated in the famous engagement 
known as the second battle of Bull Run and on the 29th of the same month took part in the hotly contested 
battle of Gainesville.  While in the act of firing, Mr. Cole was slightly wounded in the right arm and for 
a short time was forced to remain in the hospital.  Rejoining his regiment as soon as he was able, with 
the command he participated in the most hotly contested engagement of the war, the battle of Gettysburg.  
He was also in the thickest of the fight during the battle of the Wilderness.  On the 18th of June, 1864, 
while engaged in the siege of Petersburg, the 7th Iowa was ordered to charge the works.  At the head of 
his men, Mr. Cole started forward but was struck by a ball in the face, the ball passing through the flesh 
under the nose and coming out under the right ear.  He was then again sent to the hospital, where later 
he served on detached duty, remaining in charge of the government works and guarding the railroad from 
there to Washington.  On the 14th of July, 1865, he was mustered out of service.  Four long years, of 
pain, toil and hardship, had he fought for the preservation of the Union and the freedom of the slaves.  
He was ever found at his post, faithfully discharging his duty and with his regiment performed no little 
service for the government.  During the battle of the Wilderness, in an indirect manner, Mr. Cole was the 
means of saving Gen. Grant's army from defeat.  The 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana and 24th 
Michigan regiments formed what was known as the Iron Brigade.  On the 5th of May, they broke camp early 
in the morning and were stationed in advance of Grant's army.  An attack was momentarily expected and 
while on the march a body of cavalry returned with the information that Lee was advancing.  The Iron 
Brigade was a mile in advance of the main army and when the news reached them, they formed into line of 
battle and for twenty minutes held the enemy in check.  An order was then given to double quick, charge, 
and with a rush they gained the top of the hill but the Iron Brigade was almost completely demoralized.  
Too much cannot be said in its praise for no other brigade showed more courage or daring, or did more 
effective service during the war.  During the time that the army was in the most precarious condition Mr. 
Cole, rushing to the front and seeing the solid line coming took in the situation at a glance.  He saw 
that in a short time, if some measure were not taken to prevent it, the entire army would be almost 
surrounded.  Standing at the head of his men he gave the order to stand firm and then shouted "charge."  
The brigade succeeded in repulsing the enemy, but had it not been for his quick insight into the situation 
and his promptness in movement, the entire army would have probably been lost.
 
When the war was over, Mr. Cole returned to his home and his three little children, who had been left 
motherless.  While he was engaged in duty at the South, his wife received the final summons, her death 
occurring on the 9th of April, 1862.  He was again married July 14, 1865, the lady of his choice being 
Miss Mary F. Pynchon.  By his first marriage he had three children, namely:  William H., who wedded Elsie 
Hynes and is now living in Washington; Byron E., who wedded Mary Rhode and is living in Wisconsin, and 
Lillian, wife of James Spencer, of Poysippi, Waushara County.  Two children have been born of the second 
marriage of Mr. Cole, Frederick and Flora, who are yet at home.
 
From the wild and uncultivated land which Mr. Cole secured on his arrival in this county he has developed 
a fine farm, and is regarded as one of the most prosperous citizen of the town of Marion.  He has witnessed 
the growth of the county from its early infancy, has been an active participant in its development and has 
aided greatly in its upbuilding and progress.  His honorable, upright life has won him the confidence of all; 
his war record is one of which he might well be proud and his success is that which comes of industry,
enterprise and ability.






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu