MYRON M. COLE, of the hardware house of Cole & Judson, Big Rapids, was born in Lysander, Onondaga Co., N.Y., Jan. 1, 1857. His father, Jonathan Cole, was born in 1813, and was engaged during his later years in the combined pursuits of farmer and lumberman. His mother was born in Bennington Co., T., in 1815. His father dying when Myron was about 14 uears old, Mr. Cole went to live with his half brother, N. M. White, at Baldwinsville, N. Y., and he remained there four years, attending school. At the age of 18 he came to Schoolcraft, Mich., where he attended school, and afterward entered Parson's Business College at Kalamazoo, completing his commercial studies in five months. He obtained a position as lumber inspector for the firm of Putnam & Barnhart, at Fife Lake, Grand Traverse Co., where he operated one summer, returning to Schoolcraft the following winter to teach school. In the spring he entered into partnership with Charles Barnhart, in the grocery and provision business. His partner died a year and a half later, and Mr. Cole bought his share of the stovk and continued the business successfully about a year. While here he was burned out, but his stock was well insured, and the loss slight. He closed his business afairs, and connected himself with the banking house of E. B. Duckman & Co., acting in various capacities, and at the expiration of 11 months he acquired a one-third interest in the bank by purchase. The institution continued to operate bearly two years longer, but on the death of Mr. Dyckman the remaining partners sold out. In February, 1882, Mr. Cole came to Big Rapids and went into the hardware house known as Cox, Oveton & Cole. Mr. Cole purchased the interest of Mr. Cox, in October 1882, and transferred the stock to his present stand. In December 1882, he admitted C. P. Judson as partner. the firm is considered one of the leading business houses of Big Rapids, and is having a successful and increasing trade. They carry a full line of goods common to the hardware business and such as the local trade demands. They are agents for the Standard Oil Co., and are dealing extensively in cola.
Mr. Cole was married Oct. 9, 1879, to Libbie, daughter of Willis and Elizabeth Judson, and was born in Schoolcraft, Oct. 16, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have one child - Clarence M. - born at Big Rapids, Sept. 1, 1882.
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