Source:  Historical Atlas of the City of Portage, Wisconsin    Page 885


 
J. Cole was born in the town of Cherry Valley, Otsego County , Nov. 15, 1815; worked 
in cotton mills in Oneida Co. until nearly 21 years of age; then went to 
Lockport, N.Y.; and remained about three years, returned to Rochester, and 
worked in the cotton mills for eighteen months; in the fall of 1839, removed to 
Newton Falls, Ohio, residing there eleven years; he subsequently resided in 
Painesville one year, Cleveland one year, town of Bristol two years: Mr. C. came 
to Wisconsin in the fall of 1854, and located at Oconomowoc, residing afterward 
in Milwaukee and Hartford; in the fall of 1858, was employed by the railroad 
company, as a machinist, running stationary engines, etc; remained in their 
employ for twelve years; in September 1871, engaged in flour and feed business, 
and has continued in that business ever since; he also deals in wooden pumps. 
Mr. C  was married in Rochester, N.Y. in the fall of 1839 to Mary A. McDonald, a 
native of Watertown, Jefferson Co., N! .Y.. Mr and Mrs. Cole are both memebers 
of the M.E. Church; Mr. C, is Steward, Recording Secretary, and Class leader in 
the church.




Contributed by Lori Driver