My Genealogy Hound

L. D. Cole, a wealthy farmer and ginner of Barnes Township, is a native of Georgia, and was born in Cass County in 1851, the son of Jacob W. and Laura (Banks) Cole. Jacob W. Cole was a Virginian by birth, and when a young man immigrated to Georgia, where he was married and resided until his death in 1880. He served in the Confederate army in the First Georgia Infantry as captain, but was discharged after two years on account of disability. His father, Plum Cole, also a native of Virginia, died in Gilmer County, Ga., at the age of one hundred and twelve. He was a Presbyterian in his religious faith, and his wife, who died when one hundred and thirteen years of age, was also of the same belief. Plum Cole was of Irish descent, and served in the War of 1812 with Jackson. Mrs. Cole, the mother of the subject of this sketch, is now residing in Texas, a devout member of the Baptist Church. Her father, William Banks was born in the Old World, but is at this time a resident of Georgia, at the age of nearly one hundred years. Mr. Banks has always been a farmer and miner, enjoying fair prosperity, and the respect of all who know him. L. D. Cole, the third child in a family of six sons and three daughters, received his primary education in the schools of his native State, and also spent four years at Stilesborough (Ga.) College. In 1870 he came to Cross County and worked for one year as a farm hand, also putting in a crop one season for himself. He was married in 1873 in Cross County to Tolly, daughter of John and Lucinda Clark. Mr. Clark was married in South Carolina, and in 1849 came to what is now Cross County. At that time it was a perfect wilderness, but by his unceasing labors he soon raised his place from its embryo state to that of high and successful cultivation. Himself and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, and died in 1858 and 1863, respectively. Mrs. Cole was born in South Carolina, and was one of five children, two sons and three daughters. The year of Mr. Cole’s marriage, he came to Woodruff County and settled in the woods in Barnes Township, where he improved a farm and resided until 1885. He then came to his present farm, which was at that time entirely unimproved, but through energy and persevering labor he now has a home of 360 acres in two farms with 200 acres under cultivation. It is all his own property, and the result of his industry, which considering the inconveniences and hardships endured by all pioneers at that time is truly commendable. Mr. Cole trades in cattle and hogs, and for two years has been running one of the best steam gin and corn mills in the county. He was court and deputy sheriff of Barnes Township for four years, and is an active worker in all educational purposes. He is a Democrat, and voted for Greeley in 1872. Mrs. Cole is a member in good standing of the Methodist Church, to which her husband liberally contributes.