Orwell E. Cole

ORWELL E. COLE for more than three decades has been a citizen and an agriculturist of Spencer township, Kent county, and is descended from English ancestry, both grandparents having been natives of England. Mr. Cole is a native of Moscow township, Hillsdale county, Mich., and was born on the 24th of January, 1853, being the second of a family of three sons and one daughter born to Riley and Lydia A. (Tiffany) Cole, three of whom are now living, viz: Lemuel P., an agriculturist residing in Hartwick, Osceola county, Mich.; Orwell E. and Fred, residing at Howard City, Mich., and engaged with the G. R. & I. R. R. The father was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, November 21, I814, and died on the 6th of February, I89o. By calling he was a farmer, but had received only a limited education. He was one of the pioneers of Michigan, having come to this state before it was admitted to the Union. At the insignificant price of $I.25 per acre he purchased a homestead among the Indians, with whom he was oftentimes engaged in conflict. In that early day the forests abounded in game and wild animals, and deer were often shot on his premises. This first purchase of land was in Eaton county, and he in 1864 came to Spencer township, then a perfect wilderness. He was one of the earliest settlers, and his son, whose name heads this article, says that oftentimes he pursued the panther into the wood or brush. Their first habitation was an abandoned lumber camp, in which they lived for years until they erected an excellent frame house on section No. 24, Spencer township. At that time there were no churches in the township and only one little log school-house and but few highways. The father of Orwell E. Cole was politically a republican and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Harrison in 1840. He was a man of great activity and achieved an abundant success in his calling. The mother was a native also of Ohio, born December 25, 1830, and died March 27, 1895. She was a lady of liberal education, having I been a teacher for a number of years. Her ancestry was also of English origin, and came from England in the historic Mayflower to Plymouth, Mass. The Cole family was one of prominence in Spencer township, Kent county, as well as in Eaton county. Grandfather Cole was a hero of the war of I812, and died with two bullets in his body. He was, as well, an Indian fighter, and his wife and children were oftentimes called to protect the home while he was engaged with the red man. Orwell E. Cole was a lad of about eleven years when he came with his parents to Kent county, and distinctly remembers when Grand Rapids was but a small place in comparison to what it is at present. His education was only a limited one, and he was compelled to work hard in the improvement of a new farm. On the 28th of September, I879, until which time he had remained at home with his parents, he was married to Miss Louise Cowles, who bore him two sons and one daughter, viz: Florent, Myrtle L., who is a music teacher, and Leon, the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are endeavoring to give their children the best advantages possible for their education. Mrs. Cole was born in Spencer township, Kent county, June 29, 1862, a daughter of Shepherd B. and Louise J. (Fletcher) Cowles. Subsequently to their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cole settled down on their farm of eighty acres, which Mr. Cole had purchased and paid for. Their first habitation was a log cabin, where they happily lived, honored and respected citizens until the year I898, when they erected their fine farm residence of ten rooms, with modern finish of ash and white oak. He has also erected a fine, large barn and improved his home in various other was. Mr. Cole is politically a republican and cast his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. He takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, and faithfully performs every duty of citizenship. He has been profoundly interested in the schools, and served on the board as one of the directors of his home district. Mr. and Mrs. Cole in their religious views are members of the Seventh Day Adventists' church, and have aided materially in the erection of the beautiful new church edifice located about a mile and a quarter from their home. They are liberal contributors to worthy benevolences, and are workers in the Sabbath-school, where their daughter Myrtle is an organist. Honor and integrity are synonymous with their name, and they enjoy the respect, confidence and regard of the community.