History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Cole, Frank R. a well known and respected farmer of the town of Harrison, Lincoln County, was born in the town of Polkton, Ottowa County, Mich., on June 6, 1858, son of Franklin and Cornelia C. ROBERTS COLE. The parents were American born, the father being a lumberman by occupation; both died in Michigan. Of their seven children, only two are now living, Frank R. and a brother, Fred W., of Grand Rapids, Mich. Frank R. COLE remained at home with his parents until about 20 years of age. He worked in the woods as a member of logging camps for several years, then settled in Muskegon, Mich. where he entered the employ of the James S. Kirk Co., box manufacturers, and in 1892 moved with them to Rhinelander, Oneida County, and remained with them subsequently until 1898. While in their employ he homesteaded 145 acres in the how of Harrison Lincoln County, which was a tract of wild land on which the only building was a log shanty. The next year he married and he and his wife began home making there. The farm was seven and a half miles southwest of Rhinelander, but there was no road to it at that time. They suffered many inconveniences therefore and some hardships, but have survived them all and have now 80 acres improved, with a good set of buildings and an ample operating equipment. Mr. COLE served as a member of the board of supervisors, of which for six years he was chairman, thus automatically becoming a member of the county board. He also served as clerk of School District No. 4 for 20 years. It was on June 10, 1896 that Mr. COLE was united in marriage with Cora A. JOHNSTON, who was born at Hastings, Mich., Jan. 30, 1873, daughter of Byron and Minerva (TOPPING) JOHNSTON, and who had come with her parents to Rhinelander in 1892. Her father, who served in the Civil War, as also did the father of Mr. COLE, was born July 26, 1838, and is still living. His wife, Minerva, mother of Mrs. COLE, was born Sept. 1, 1845, and they were married Jan. 24, 1862. Their children, five in number, were George, Willett, Milo, Cora A. and Fred, of whom George, a resident of northern Michigan and Cora A. (Mrs. COLE) are the only ones now living. Mr. and Mrs. COLE have had three children: Alfred, Arthur and Hazel. Alfred, born June 26, 1897, is a farmer in the town of Harrison. He married Mollie MENGEL of Merrill, Wis. Arthur, born June 13, 1901, is living at home, as also is Hazel, born June 23, 1908. There children were all born in the old log cabin which was the first home of the family on the farm. The Cole family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 582-583; History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co

You are our [an error occurred while processing this directive] Visitor --Thanks for Stopping By.

© Copyright: All files on this website are protected by the US Copyright Law, Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, they are not to be copied or altered in any way for commercial use. Individuals may copy the information for their personal use. WIGenWeb Oneida and Vilas County Coordinator Judy Groh.