My Genealogy Hound

R. M. Bugg was born near Columbus, Ga., April 10, 1835. His father, Peter T. Bugg, was a native of the same State and a farmer by occupation. The maiden name of his mother was Anna C. Ellis, also of Georgia. There were eleven children in the family, Richard M. being the tenth child and sixth son. He was reared in his native State on a farm, which vocation he followed until the firing of Sumter. Although no secessionist, he was among the first to respond to the call to take up arms in defense of the South. He enlisted in the Second Georgia Battalion, and participated in all the hard-fought battles in which his command was engaged, among others Gettysburg, Petersburg, and the battles around Richmond. He served with honor until the close of the war, and after the restoration of peace located in Washington County, Mo., September 18, 1865. He subsequently became associated with Mr. James Long in selling goods and in mining and smelting. In 1878 Mr. Bugg severed his connection with Mr. Long, and his brother, J. P. Bugg, became associated with him; they have since done a large and satisfactory business and achieved a well-earned reputation for fair dealing. Mr. Bugg was married June 9, 1870, to Miss Annie W. Cole, a native of Washington County, Mo., and a daughter of Capt. George B. and Mary (Otes) Cole, natives, respectively, of Virginia and England. George B. Cole’s family of children are named: William G., George J., Philip S., John W., Susan S., Ellen D., Annie W. and Jennie T. One daughter, Mary C., is deceased. Mrs. Bugg’s father, Capt. George B. Cole, was one of the early settlers of Washington County. He was born in Botetourt County, Va., October 17, 1805. In 1829 he visited the Upper Lead Mines, and located at Mineral Point, then in the territory of Michigan, now Wisconsin, where he was married to Miss Mary Otes, May 15, 1831. The result of this union was nine children. During the Black Hawk War Capt. Cole served as quartermaster under Col. Henry Dodge, and returned to Missouri in 1832. In 1833 he commenced steam-boating and met with such success that in 1834 he was interested in building and running seven steamboats, in which business he continued with satisfactory success until 1843. Politically, he was a Democrat; he was twice elected to the office of county judge, and represented Washington County in the Legislature two terms. In 1885 death entered his dwelling and deprived him of his wife, a woman whose worth endeared her to all her acquaintances. Capt. Cole died December 7, 1886, and in his death the community lost a good citizen, his children an affectionate father, and the church a consistent member.