WILLIAM COLE, is a native of England, born in Devonshire on the 21st day of May, 1821. In 1833, when a lad of eleven years, he left his native land and with his parents sallied for the New World in a vessel bound for Canada, where the family located, and William was reared to manhood. On the 3d day of July, 1848, he married Miss Florella PERRY. The lady was born in Chenango County, N.Y., Sept. 15, 1825, and spent the days of her early girlhood in that State. When seventeen years of age, in 1842, she removed to Canada, settling in Brantford, where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. COLE. Their children are five in number: Levia C., who was born in Canada June 27, 1849, is now Mrs. BUSDICK, and a resident of Janesville; Marshall T., born in Brantford, Canada, June 9, 1851, is a successful teacher in the graded schools of Claremont, Minn.; Frank B., born Aug. 19, 1853, is a station agent on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, at Boyden, Iowa; Jessie, whose birth occurred in Milton, April 19, 1856, became the wife of H. H. RISDON an employe of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, residing in Milton; Iza Z., born June 4, 1862, in Milton, wedded L. T. DAVIDSON, and resides in Milton.
In 1855 Mr. COLE decided to cast his lot with the early settlers of Wisconsin, and acting upon that determination, came to Rock County, the date of his arrival being the 8th of November. Removing to the Peter McEWAN farm, he purchased 200 acres of land, but has disposed of part of it, still retaining possession of eighty-three acres.
In October, 1861, Mr. COLE enlisted in the 13th Wisconsin Infantry, and was mustered into the service at Janesville, November 1st following, and commissioned as Sergeant. After serving five months he was honorably discharged, and returning to Milton, he resumed farming. In 1868, retiring form the more active duties of life, he removed to Milton. Socially, he is a member of the G.A.R. Post at Milton, and politically, an inflexible Republican, having supported that party since its organization. He is a public-spirited enterprising man, and a worthy and a valued citizen, and has always been found in the foremost rank of any public enterprise which was calculated to be of benefit to the community. His sterling worth and strict integrity have secured for him the confidence of all. Mrs. COLE is an adherent of the Seventh Day Baptist Church.
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 739, 740