Issac Cole

 

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois," by J. O. Cunningham, 1905

SURNAMES: COLE, COWEN, HEALY, JOHNSON, LOVINFOSS, MOORE

ISAAC COLE, one of the early settlers and prominent farmers, of Champaign County, was born in Hampshire County, Mass., December 22, 1834, the son of Elijah and Freedom (COWEN) COLE, both of whom were natives of the Bay State. The father died in 1848, and the mother in 1873. The subject of this sketch left the old homestead in 1855, and, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Nathaniel HEALY, started for the West. During the same year he came to Champaign County and rented land on Section 32, in Sidney Township, and two years later purchased other land, to which he added from time to time until he now owns over 800 acres in Champaign County, besides 158 acres in Indiana and 120 acres in Calhoun County, Iowa. In addition to farming he has been extensively engaged in breeding and feeding thorough-bred stock, including Polled Angus (black) cattle and Poland-China hogs. All the improvements on his fine estate have been accomplished under his own direction and it has thus been built up from what was at one time nothing but uncultivated prairie land. He has recently erected an elevator and necessary offices at Block, within three-quarters of a mile of his residence, and is there doing a prosperous business in grain and coal. The elevator has a capacity of 40,000 bushels.

Mr. Cole has served his Township as Commissioner of Highways, School Director and School Trustee. He affiliates with the M. E. Church, of which he is one of the Trustees. He was married in January, 1864, to Loretta JOHNSON, and of this union six children have been born: Sherman L.; Curtis G.; Willard I.; Arthur G.; Lora T., wife of J. E. LOVINFOSS, and Delia E., wife of Levi MOORE.