My Genealogy Hound

Charles Erastus Cole, one of the successful farmers and well known citizens of Royal Oak township, Oakland County, who owns a well improved farm of 117 acres in section 4, is a descendant of one of the pioneer settlers of Oakland County. His grandfather, Benjamin Cole, was one of the earliest settlers, taking up land near Cass Lake. Mr. Cole is a son of Chester and Delia (Durgie) Cole, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and the latter in West Bloomfield township, Oakland County.

Chester Cole accompanied his father to Michigan among the early settlers from New Jersey, that State contributing many excellent citizens to this locality. Chester Cole was a farmer all his life and died in 1902, at the age of 70 years, having spent his last days in the village of Clarkston. His wife died in 1875. They had three children: Charles E., of this sketch; and Edwin Adelbert and Benjamin Eugene, who are Oakland County farmers, living near Davisburg.

Charles Erastus Cole was educated in the district schools of Royal Oak township, where he was born in 1861. He was reared on a farm and his interests have mainly centered in agriculture ever since. He carries on general farming and stock raising on his fine property to which he came in 1892, and is considered one of the substantial men of the township.

In 1883 Mr. Cole was married to Lizzie Todd, who was born in 1861 on our subject’s present farm, and is a daughter of James and Jane Todd, the former of whom came from Ireland to America, when 12 years of age. Her mother belonged to the Geddes family of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Todd belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cole: Chester James, born in 1887; and Dora May, an attractive little lady of six years. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are valued members of the Presbyterian Church, to the support of which Mr. Cole liberally contributes. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees.