Obituary - John Cole
JOHN COLE, eldest son of William F. Cole and Mary Ann Cole, was born in
Brimfield township, Peoria county, Illinois, near French Grove, May 4, 1847, and
passed away at his home in Williamsfield, December 22, 1927, at the age of 80
years, 7 months and 18 days.
On October 18, 1870, he was married to Mary Rosetta Smith [the Illinois
Statewide Marriage Index lists a John Cole marrying a Mary Rosetta Smith in
Stark County on October 20, 1870]. Through this union were born two children,
Villa and Mary Etta Cole, who passed away in infancy. An adopted child, Grant
Cole, also died in infancy.
Dr. Cole was the eldest of thirteen children, Isaac Franklin, Mary A. Marjorie
and an infant preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his loss his devoted
wife, one grandchild, Mrs. Rosetta Marie Broadwell of Los Angeles, Calif., two
sisters Mrs. Sarah J. Doubet of Williamsfield and Mrs. Lucy C. Nelson of
Elmwood, Illinois, six brothers Wm. H. Cole of Exeter, Mo., Charles M. of Iola,
Kansas, Frederick G. of Peoria, Lemuel L. of Lang, Saskatchewan, Canada, Jobe
and Newton Jerome of Williamsfield and one great-grandchild.
Twin nieces, Mrs. Marie Rosetta Smith and Mrs. Marjorie M. Simpson, both of
Chicago, made their home with Dr. and Mrs. Cole from infancy until their
marriage when they moved to Chicago.
March 8, 1865 he enlisted in company K 47th regiment of Illinois Infantry
Volunteers. He served faithfully in the messenger service of his country and was
honorably discharged January 21, 1866.
Following his army service he attended high school in Peoria. After completing
his high school work he taught school at the Fair Ground school in Peoria, the
Reed school near French Grove and the Elmore school. While in Elmore he opened a
drug store and received the appointment as postmaster at that place. He held
that position for sixteen years at the time when the United States mail came to
Elmore by the overland route from Yates City to Toulon, Ill.
In 1877 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from
which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. February 28, 1882. Following his
graduation he began the practice of medicine at Elmore and practiced there until
1889. He then moved to Williamsfield where he made his home until the time of
his death. Desiring to become more efficient in the medical profession he took
two courses at the Chicago Polyclinic while he lived in Williamsfield.
He underwent a very serious operation about ten years ago which so disabled him
that he was compelled to give up a portion of his medical practice. Last summer
he ceased practice and sold his business to Dr. F. D. Calderia.
In the summer of 1918 he enlisted and was accepted in the medical corps of the
United States Army. From this service he received an honorable discharge.
He was taken sick Wednesday night at 11 o'clock and passed away Thursday evening
at 5 o'clock after very severe suffering.
Dr. Cole was a lover of children and always had a cheerful greeting for them
all. He was a member of the G. A. R. and had held all the offices of that
organization. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows lodge. While a firm
believer and attendant at services he was not a church member. He was known as
the poor man's friend because of his generosity in rendering service to the
needy.
He was instrumental in securing flags for the grade and high school of this
vicinity.
Dr. Cole will be missed by all for he was well known and highly respected in the
community.
Funeral services were held at the Williamsfield M. E. church Tuesday afternoon
in charge of the pastor Rev. Morton. Misses Ruth and Helen Regan sang "In The
Garden." "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" and "Beautiful Isle" with Mrs. Grace
Johnson at the piano.
The casket bearers were E. D. Parker, Harrison Cole, Glen Cole, C. W. German, R.
F. Marshall and Grant Nelson. Interment was in the Glendale Cemetery at Elmore.
Contributed by Jenny Williams, from Williamsfield, Ill., December 29, 1927.
