The subject of our sketch was born in Oxford, Warren county, New Jersey, March 30, 1812, and was the third in a family of ten children, equally divided between the sexes. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed until the spring of 1836, at which date he removed to Michigan, having but a meagre sum of money on hand at his arrival. He engaged three months with Hon. Samuel Axford at farm work, and at the end of the time received a kit of tools from his father, and at once began the business of his trade in Mount Vernon, at which he remained for three years, and then began to improve a farm of one hundred and forty acres he had purchased the year previously, Mr. Axford advancing the cash wherewith to pay for the same. About this time Mr. Cole began to buy land, adding to his purchases as fast as he completed the payment of his preceding ones, until he finally became the owner of seven thousand acres, now in his possession and that of his sons, and comprising the finest land in the township, and all of it mostly under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Cole's boast is that he has never been "cramped" for money to carry on any of his business enterprises from his first commencement in the west to the present time. He has ever borne an enviable reputation for prompt and upright dealing, and, notwithstanding his extensive business transactions through a series of more than forty years, has had no litigation of any moment.

On the 28th of January, 1836, Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Sarah Mann, a resident of his native town, by whom he has had born to him two sons and five daughters, all but one now living and residing near the old homestead. Mr. Cole is a Democrat in politics. He is a supporter of all educational institutions of his township and county, taking a lively interest in the same, and giving to his children the advantages of which he himself was deprived in his younger days. He has also been a liberal contributor to the erection of all the churches in his neighborhood.

There was a company of seventy persons who came into Oakland County when Mr. Cole came, nine teams bringing the household stuff and some of the persons. His father-in-law's family came by water.