George Cole

 

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878

SURNAMES: BLAXSOM, COLE, MADDEN

GEORGE COLE. The subject of our sketch was born in Chester, Massachusetts. Elijah COLE, his father, was a native of that state, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1851. Mrs. Cole, the mother, came west to join her children in Sidney township, and remained here until her death, on the 26th of September, 1873. There were nine children, eight of which survived the parents. The subject of our sketch was born on the 2nd of March, 1837. He left home or was thrown on his own resources at the age of fourteen years. The greater part of his youth while in his native state was spent upon a farm. When he was twenty years of age he came west and stopped in the township of Sidney, where he engaged in farming. In November, 1860, he married Frances A. MADDEN, by whom he had three children, two of whom are living. Mrs. Cole died December 26, 1872. On the 25th of June, 1874, he married Miss Laura S. BLAXSOM, of Sidney. When Mr. Cole first came to this township he purchased 120 acres of land in section 32. It was unbroken prairie land, but by energy and industry he soon made it to blossom as the rose. After the death of his first wife he abandoned farming and agricultural pursuits and removed to the village of Sidney, where he entered into mercantile business, and is to-day still engaged in it. Mr. Cole in his youth had not the advantages of a good and thorough education, but still sufficiently so as to enable him to transact all the business that he has been called upon to perform.

In politics he is democratic, and cast his first vote in this county for Stephen A. Douglas, the "Little Giant," and he has remained true to the teachings of that illustrious statesman ever since. The parents of the subject of our sketch were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Cole belongs to no particular denomination. He, in the ordinary business ventures of life, has been successful, and has accumulated considerable of this world's goods, all of which he has acquired by honesty, industry, and by living a life of frugality. It is with pleasure that we present this brief biographical sketch of one of Sidney's best citizens and business men