Untitled Document

A. B. COLE. The subject of the following brief personal sketch, Mr. A. B. Cole, is a well-to-do farmer upon section 28, Oxford Township . He was born in Chenango County , New York , April 13, 1806 . His parents, Amos and Dinah (Crawford) Cole, were natives of Rhode Island . Mr. Cole remained under the paternal roof until he was 21 years of age; during the meantime he received a good common-school education and assisted his parents.

After leaving home he worked out by the month for four years, when he bought 40 acres of land in Madison County, New York. There he remained engaged for six years, when he sold his New York property and left for the West. He soon found himself in Oxford Township , this county, arriving as early as June 1839. He was therefore one of the pioneers of the county. For 12 years he labored at blacksmithing. He then entered from the government 80 acres of land on section 28. To this he subsequently added 160 acres. Though coming to the county without a great deal of means, and having to spend so many years at his trade, he has become one of the prominent and representative citizens of Henry County . Though not a politician, he has been called upon by his neighbors and fellow citizens to serve as Justice of the Peace and Supervisor, and also to fill the responsible offices of County Treasurer , County Commissioner and County Assessor . Politically, he is an independent Democrat.

While living in the East, Mr. Cole and Miss Augusta Briggs, a native of Massachusetts , were united in marriage. To them have been born five children, four of whom are living, -- Martha, Festus C., Amos and Lucy. The first is the wife of A. C. Lockwood, of Mercer County ; Festus married Elizabeth Taze; Amos was married to Miss Kate Emerick; Lucy is the wife of W. W. Shakles.

Mrs. Cole died in August, 1877 and Mr. Cole is now living in retirement on his farm in Oxford township.

1885 Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry Co., IL: page 528

Note: The initials A. B. stand for Amos Benjamin. This family connects to my line, so I’d be happy to exchange info with anyone else who is interested in them. Contact the webmaster.

Transcribed by Jan Roggy

Illinois Ancestors