" . . . . Dr. James F. COLE,
who is distinctively one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Fayette
county and as a business man actively identified with a number of important
enterprises in his own city and elsewhere, comes of sturdy Scotch-American stock
and embodies many of the sterling qualities of mind and heart for which his
antecedents have long been distinguished. Ira L. COLE, the
Doctor's father, was born June 19, 1830, in Scotland. He was the son of John
COLE, who emigrated to America in the latter part of that year
and located at Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, New York, where Ira L. grew to
maturity. On October 11, 1852, Ira L. Cole entered the marriage relation with
Sarah Jan FAY, of New York, and the same year came to Iowa,
settling in Cass township, Clayton county, where he entered eighty acres of
land, which he improved and in connection with its cultivation devoted
considerable time to contracting and dealing in lumber, establishing in 1890 the
lumber business at Oelwein now conducted by Cole and King Brothers. At the
breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Iowa
Infantry, and was with his regiment when it led the first attack on the
fortifications at Vicksburg, Mississippi, during the siege of which stronghold
he contracted disabilities which eventually led to his discharge. Returning
home, he at once began recruiting another company, of which he was elected
captain and which he continued to serve until mustered out at Dubuque at the
close of the war. Ira L. Cole was a man of fine mind, keen perceptions,
practical intelligence and stood high in the confidence of those with whom he
mingled. He was called from earth on May 7, 1902, his death being deeply
lamented by the community in which he spent the greater part of his life.
Sarah
Jane FAY, the wife of Ira L. COLE, was born
at Franklinville, New York, where her parents, James and Olive (RICE)
FAY, settled many years before. Cyrus FAY,
grandfather of Mrs. Cole, was a native of Massachusetts and served with
distinction in the war of the Revolution as colonel of a regiment from that
colony. Her grandfather on the distaff side was Ezekiel RICE, also a patriot of
the Revolutionary struggle, having served as quartermaster sergeant in a
Massachusetts regiment during the greater part of the war. The Rice and Fay
families were of sturdy old colonial-puritan stock, both names appearing in
connection with the history of their respective places of residence besides
being identified with many important enterprises of a public and business
nature. The Doctor's mother was descended from men of much more than local
distinction, it being a well authenticated fact that both branches of her family
were represented in the convention which drafted the Constitution of the United
States and took an influential part in bringing about its adoption. Four
children were born to Ira L. and Sarah Jane Cole, namely: Olive, who died at the
age of three years; Harriett, whose death occurred when she was two and a half
years old; Benjamin also died in early childhood and James F., the subject of
this review, is the only surviving member of the family, the mother dying in
August, 1909.
James F. Cole was born in Clayton county, Iowa, on the
first day of December, 1862, and received his preliminary mental discipline in
the public schools, being the first to graduate from the high school building at
Strawberry Point, which was erected in 1877 and which was under the management
of Prof. E. G. COOLEY, later superintendent of the public
schools of Chicago and one of the country's most distinguished educators. After
completing his course in the above institution, young Cole entered the Ames
Agricultural School, where he pursued his studies for three years and then
became a student in the medical department of the University of Iowa, from which
he was graduated with an honorable record on March 2, 1887.
. . . . Dr.
Cole, in 1885, opened an office at Strawberry Point, where he practiced medicine
during the two years ensuing, . . . . In July, 1887, he located at Oelwein,
where he soon built up an extensive and lucrative professional business and
where he now takes high rank among the representative men of his calling in the
northeastern part of the state, . . . .identified with the American Medical
Association, Iowa State Medical Association, Cedar Valley and Austin Flint
District Associations, the Fayette County Medical Society and the Medical
Society of Oelwein. . . . . manifest a lively interest in public and political
affairs, being a pronounced Republican and one of the leaders of his party in
the county of Fayette. He is now coroner of the county, which position he has
held for fifteen years . . . . . . . . .
Doctor Cole is an enthusiastic
believer in secret fraternal work and holds membership with a number of
societies founded upon the principles of mutual helpfulness. He stands high in
Masonry, belonging to Hebron Lodge No. 374 at Oelwein, Kenneth Commandery No.
32, Knights Templar, at Independence, Iowa, Consistory No. 2, Cedar Rapids, and
Elkadir Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Cedar Rapids. He is also identified with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Oelwein, being an influential worker in both
subordinate lodge and encampment, and for some years past he has been a leader
in the Pythian order in the city, besides holding the office of grand chancellor
of the state. In addition to the organizations enumerated, he is a member of
Eureka Encampment No. 332, Ancient Order United Workmen, belongs to Palm Camp
No. 230, Modern Woodmen of America, and is now serving as exalted ruler of Lodge
No. 741, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Oelwein. His name also
adorns the records of Iowa Banner Camp No. 314, Royal Neighbors, Prosperity
Homestead No. 90, Order of Yeomen, Camp No. 89, Woodmen of the World, and Lodge
No. 199, Modern Brotherhood of America. The Doctor is likewise connected with
various business enterprises, being director of the Aetna State Bank of Oelwein,
a stockholder in the First National Bank of the city and of the First National
Bank of Strawberry Point, besides owning an interest in the firm of Cole &
King Brothers, lumber dealers in Oelwein. In his medical practice he is
associated with Doctor LEEHEY, being senior member of the firm, and for several
years he has been surgeon for the Rock Island Railway Company at Oelwein.
Doctor
Cole has been twice married, the first time on December 27, 1888, to Nellie E.
BARCLAY, daughter of Thomas C. BARCLAY. She
bore him three children and her death occurred on March 25, 1902. Later,
January 1, 1903, the Doctor was united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret TORREY,
of Oelwein, the union being without issue. Doctor and Mrs. Cole are esteemed
members of the Episcopal church of Oelwein and deeply interested in the good
work of the same . . . ."