General Notes

[Joanne's Tree.1 GED.GED]

2  SOUR S332582
3  DATA
4  TEXT Date of Import: 14 Jan 2004


[daveanthes.FTW]

WILLIAM COLE AND WIFE ANN ELIZABETH COLLINS
AND THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN
1816-1895

William Cole, the oldest son of John Cole and wife Amelia Lewis Cole, was born circa 1816 in Pickaway County, Ohio.  He died on or about 1 April, 1895 at Nevada, Missouri.  A Cole family tradition has been that "William Cole was 98 years old when hit and killed by a train, in the late winter of 1895, at Nevada, Missouri."  This tradition indicates a birth year of 1797.  However, documented evidence proves this to be in error.

Throughout William Cole's life span he consistently reported his age, indicating a birth year of 1816.  The documented proof of this is as follows:
a.   His father and mother married 16 March 1815.
b.   Illinois 1860 U.S. Census, Willow Branch Township, Platt County, shows that on 16 June, 1860 the household of William Cole        was enumerated and William's age is shown to be 44, born in Ohio.
c.   Kansas 1880 U.S. Census, Miami County, WEA Township, shows William's age to be 64, born in Ohio.
d.   Kansas State 1885 Census and Miami County Tax Enumeration List of 1891 show William's age to be 69 and 75, respectively.

William Cole and Elizabeth Collins were issued a license to marry on 27 April, 1837 (Vol. 3, page 148).  They were married the same day at Circleville, Ohio by Joseph Hays, and when he made out their Marriage Record he wrote "I joined William Fole (sic) and Elizabeth Collins in holy bond of matrimony," & etc. (Vol. 3, page 299).  The referenced marriage volume is on file in Pickaway County, Courthouse, Circleville, Ohio.

For about twelve years after their marriage, William and Elizabeth lived in Deer Creek, Perry, and Monroe Townships in Pickaway County.  During this time, William paid no land tax but was on the Chattel Tax Roll.  On 14 September, 1841, William Cole and Elizabeth his wife sold Es one eighth (1/8) interest in the John Cole land (100 acres, Survey 8029) to his brother, Peter J. Cole (Deed Book 18, pace 335).  Nothing much is recorded happening to them until after the birth of their youngest child and the death of Ann Elizabeth Cole.

The children born to William and Ann Elizabeth Cole while living in Pickaway County, Ohio were:
1.   Margaret L. Cole
2.   Hester Ann Cole
3.   John Wesley Cole
4.   Thomas H. Cole
5.   Allen Johnston Cole.

William Cole, in his last Will and Testament, named two other children: ** Cintha Jane Mills and a son, Manasia Clinton Cole.  Manasia C., or "Uncle Clint," is known to be a half brother to Allen J. Cole.

Shortly after the death of Ann Elizabeth in August 1849, William and the older children left Ohio.  William and his children were not enumerated in the Ohio 1850 U.S. Census.  However, his infant son is listed on page 311 of the Original Ohio 1850 U.S. Census, living in Monroe Township, Pickaway County.  There on 20 September, 1850 he was enumerated along with his maternal grandparents and his mother's sister and is thus recorded:
Johnston Collins    age  53,  M.   born Del.
Mary A. Collins          47,  F.   Va.
Malinda E. Collins       22,  F.   0hio
Allen J. Cole       1,   M.   0hio

We next discover that William must have remarried and lived for some time in Indiana, because the 1900 Missouri U. S. Census shows that son Manasia C. Cole was born in Indiana, May 1854.  The 1900 Missouri Census will be detailed later.

Referring to paragraph 3.b, on page 1, it is shown that in 1860 William was living in Platt County, Illinois with the following children:
M.L. Cole      F.   age  (29?)-19  born Ohio
Hester Ann Cole     F.        17   born Ohio
John W. Cole   M.        15   born Ohio
Thos. Cole     M.        14   born Ohio

It is to be noted that neither a wife, Cintha Jane Cole, nor Manasia C. Cole were enumerated at this time.  There were three other children listed by the surname of WHILECER: 1 male age 15 and 2 females ages 12 and 6, all born in Ohio.  These relationships have never been established.

A search of Indiana and Illinois Civil War Records fails to indicate that William Cole served in the War Between the States.  In his westward migration, William is next found to be in Kansas.  There is on file in the Miami County Court House, Paola, Kansas, a deed which shows that on 16 October, 1867, William Cole purchased the N 1/2-SE 1/4-36-16-24 (80 acres) of land in Miami County. (Deed Book N, page 409.)

On 28 October, 1874, a deed of conveyance was made between William Cole and Mary Elizabeth Cole his wife showing they sold to Thomas H. Cole and Manasia Clinton Cole the above described 80 acres. (Deed Book 34, pages 527, 528 and 529).  On 2 August, 1892, M. C. Cole and Flora Cole his wife, of Louisburg, Kansas, sold their half back to William Cole. (Deed Book 42, page 17.)

Then on November 1891, Thomas H. Cole and Mary E. Cole his wife, William Cole and Mary Elizabeth Cole his wife sold their 80 acre farm. (Deed Book 54, page 566.)

In 1974 the writer and his wife visited the above described farm and found it to be a beautiful piece of property.  The Miami County officials told us that this land was located in one of the richest farming sections of Kansas.  The northeast corner of the farm adjoins the southwest corner of the city limits of Louisburg, Kansas.

In reading the above deeds a person may assume that William's and Thomas's wives were mother and daughter.  Neither the 1880 nor 1900 U.S. Census affirms this in any way.

After selling their farm at Louisburg, William and Elizabeth moved to Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri.  There on 22 July, 1892, William Cole made his Last Will and Testament.  He gave and bequeathed all his property both real and personal to his beloved wife, Elizabeth Cole. Then on 21 March, 1895, William added and signed Codicil No. 1. Six days later, on the morning of 27 March, "a late winter cold spell blew into Nevada.  On this morning, Granddad Cole and the little boys, Harry and Perry Cole, were all bundled up and on their way to the store when Granddad was hit by a train," as told by William's grandson, James Boston Cole, to the writer.

William Cole's Last Will and Testament reads in part "To my sons, John Wesly Cole, Allen J. Cole, Thomas H. Cole and to Manasia C. Cole, one dollar ($1.00) each.  After paying the four legacies last named; one quarter of the remainder to my daughter Hester Ann Dodd,* and at her death to her married daughter Eldora.  One quarter to my daughter Cintha Jane Mills,** and at her death to her married daughter Mary Alice Nicholson.  The remaining one half to my daughter Margaret L. Wollington and at her death to her youngest daughter.  I hereby appoint and constitute my daughter Margaret L. Wollington, Executrix on this will and testament."

The exact date of William's death cannot be determined from various papers filed pertinent to his estate.  The attending physician's invoice shows that he visited him in the morning and evening from 27 March through 31 March, then on 1 April, 1895, he made one and the last visit. No information has been found that establishes the exact date of death. No newspaper files exist for the year 1895.  It is reasonable to assume that William died on or about 1 April, 1895.

On 9 April, 1895 "M. L. Neatherly, formerly M. L. Wollington, daughter of William Cole deceased, who appeared before the Judge of Probate and renounced her appointment and refused to qualify, as Executrix of her fathers estate."

William's beloved wife Mary Elizabeth died 11 April, 1896 in McDonald County, Missouri.

Documents filed pertinent to settlement of William's estate fail to reveal where he was buried.  A search of all Nevada County cemetery records and records in Louisburg, Kansas failed to reveal where William lies buried.

John W. and M. C. Cole signed for the receipt of their inheritance at Halltown, Lawrence County, Missouri, 22 July, 1898.  M. L. Neatherly and Cintha Jane Mills received their inheritance, but the place where they were living and the date are not shown.  Of the seven children named in William Cole's will, the four children above are the only ones to receive any portion of their father's estate.

Final settlement of William Cole's estate was made 3 October, 1898, and his Will is on file in the Vernon County Court House, Nevada, Missouri. (Book "J", page 204.

During the research project various bits of information were gathered concerning William's children and grandchildren.  The information, though in some instances incomplete, and its source is as follows:

In the Missouri, 1900 U. S. Census, Vernon County, in the town of Sheldon, on 6 June, 1900 the Neatherly family was enumerated:

1. Elias Neatherly  born,     Ill.,     Feb. 1848,     age  52
2. Margaret    born,     Ohio,     Nov. 1843,     age  56

The Missouri, 1900 U.S. Census, Lawrence County, Turnbock (?) township, shows the following enumerated 14 June, 1900 (Roll 870; Vol. 55-EO87; sheet 7 - Line 1):
1. John W. Cole,    born Ohio,     Feb. 1843      age  57
2. Sara C.,    wife Wisc.,    April 1854          46
3. Thomas      Son  Kan.,     April 1879          21
4. Jonnie           Son  Kan.,     Jan. 1881           19
5. Harvey A.   Son  Mo.  July, 1884          15
6. Edgar       Son  Mo.  April, 1886         14
7. Charles     Son  Mo.  Dec. 1889      10
8. Myrtelle    Daughter  Mo.  Sept. 1895          4

In the Kansas, 1900 U.S. Census, Chautauqua County, Little Caney Township, enumerated on 13 June, 1900 we find the following:
1. Thomas H. Cole   born      Ohio,     Nov. 1846      age  53
2. Mary E.     wife Ind. Feb. 1854      46
3. Emma J.     Daughter  Kan. June, 1877          22   (paralyzed)
4. Charley     Son  Kan.      May, 1886      14
5. Orpha J.    Daughter  Kan. May, 1889      11
6. Barbra E.   Daughter  Kan. Oct. 1891           8

Missing from this census were two daughters, Anna, age 6 and Jennie, age 4, when they were enumerated in the Kansas 1880 U.S. Census, Miami County.  Emma J. was age two at that time.

After Manasia C. Cole and wife Flora sold their half of the farm at Louisburg, Kansas, it is not known what happened to Flora.  We find that on l1 September, 1889 M. C. Cole, age 35, was issued a Marriage License to marry a Nannie M. Waller of Louisburg, age 28.  They were married the same day the license was issued. (Recorded, Miami County Court House, Paola, Kansas, Book "H", page 208)

The Missouri, 1900 U.S. Census, Bates County, Homer Township, shows the following (enumerated 22 June, 1900):
1. Clinton M. Cole  born      Ind. May 1854       age  46
2. Nannie M.   wife Ind. Feb 1861            39
3. Carl F.          S         Kan. Jan 1891       9
4. Inez J.          D         Mo. Apr 1894        6
5. Allen R.    S         Mo. Apr 1899        1
6. Vandergraft,     Dw GS    (??)  May 1898       2

* Hester Ann Dodd and daughter Eldora - remain untraced.
** Cintha Jane Mills and daughter, Mary Alice Nicholson - remain untraced.  There is every indication that Cintha Jane's mother was Elizabeth Ann Cole; however no proof has been found to substantiate this.

Compiled by Noman M. Cole, Sr.    I June, 1981
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From a tape by GEORGE B. COLE SR, transcribed by Melba Smith Cole, 1961

My grandfather's name was William Cole.  He was born and raised in Ohio and he had a couple of other sons one Uncle Tom and a half-brother named Uncle Clint.  And an Uncle John.

My grandmother, my father's mother, died at his birth.  He was raised by, an old aunt of my grandmother's named Melinda Reeves.  They had moved from Ohio into Kansas, and there is where my father and mother met.  They were married and had among them twelve children,

I remember one time only seeing my grandfather.  He was a tall man, with a long beard. The beard was very white.  His hair was not very long, but longer than usual for the men of the day.  His beard was long and white and kept very beautifully white.  He had gray eyes, somewhat like my father's eyes.  My father was a great deal like him, I think.  And he came down to visit us when we lived there in Kansas.  My brother Bill had been out hunting and had killed a beautiful squirrel.  When Grandfather got there, he found Mother cooking this squirrel.  Of course, it wasn't very much.  A very small squirrel wouldn't go very far with a large family.  And so, my grandfather Cole showed the kind of a man he was when he said to my mother, "Mary, you cook that squirrel just for my tooth". And, he proceeded to tell her exactly how he wanted that squirrel cooked. When dinner was served the squirrel was passed around to Grandfather. He took away the plate that was put at his place, and set the squirrel plate down in front of him.  He began to eat the squirrel, putting the bones in the other plate and he ate every single mouthful of that squirrel.  My brother, Bill, who'd done the hunting, didn't even get to taste it. Well, he was terrifically angry, my brother was, to think that any person could be that selfish and that greedy as he called it, and not recognize that this boy at least ought to have a bite but he never got even a smell of it.

Well, that seemed to be characteristic of my grandfather.  He seemed to be a very demanding and domineering person.  It didn't make any difference what anybody else's rights were, he seemed to think that he just had the right to override them and get exactly what he wanted.  A number of my father's characteristics were just like his.  He seemed to think that the man should be the master of the house, a man should be the dictator of his children, the man should be everything about the house and tell everybody exactly what to do and where to go.  So it didn't make for too happy a family, I fear.
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