John Cole, the father of Levi, was born in England in 1763, and at an early age emigrated with his two brothers to America, and settled in the State of Vermont. Despite his youth he entered the service of his adopted country, and helped to fight her battle for freedom and independence. He married an estimable lady, named Sarah Wells, and together they shared the trials of a backwoods life. Still later, when the country to the westward began to fill up with settlers, they were caught in the tide of emigration, and borne upon it to eastern New York. Here, on the 27th of March, 1801, was born Levi W. Cole, the subject of this sketch. In his early history there is nothing peculiar further than his life of toil and love of adventure, which so well fitted him for a long struggle with the stern realities of life. After a few years the family again emigrated, this time locating in western New York, which was then on the frontier of civilization. They settled in Erie county just previous to the war of 1812.

During the operations around Buffalo, and through the troublous times with the Indians, the family became greatly alarmed, and lived in constant fear of the British and Indians, more especially the latter. The burning of Buffalo, in December, 1812, was not calculated to allay their apprehensions, but finally peace again spread her wings over the country, and quiet and harmony were once more restored. Mr. Cole's advantages for obtaining an education were exceedingly meagre, and limited to the rude course received in the log school-houses of the time. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a clothier as a wool carder and cloth-dresser, for "in those days" the wives and daughters of the pioneers spun and wove all the cloth they used. While working at this trade young Levi acquired excellent business habits, which were of much benefit to him in after-years, and by the aid of a retentive memory and a love for reading, which he could gratify by the use of a friend's well-selected library, he was enabled to store his mind with a large fund of useful general knowledge. He continued at the wool-carding business until July, 1825, when he visited Oakland County, Michigan, and purchased eighty acres of land in the northeast part of Avon township, where he was induced to settle. Upon the place was a good water-power, which he immediately utilized, and built a rude shop, in which he worked at his trade. He made a success of the venture, and received all the work he could attend to. In the month of February, 1827, he married Maria S. Millerd, daughter of Judge Millerd, so well known among the early settlers of Oakland for his integrity and upright Christian character.

He lived to the ripe age of eighty-five years, and passed from life willingly, as one who longed to ' Rest on that beautiful shore." To his wild western home" Mr. Cole brought his young bride, and more than half a century has elapsed since they began the journey of life together in the land which the dusky savage once made his hunting- and fishing-ground: "Where the fleet deer roamed in the forest wild, And the gaunt wolf tracked his prey, And the weird song of the red man's child Was heard where his race held sway." Here they toiled perseveringly on, and the result of their labor is evinced in the pleasant surroundings of the " old homestead" as it appears today. Literally, the wilderness has been made to " blossom as the rose," and though Mr. Cole is no more among the living, his children cling closely to the fond memories associated with their home. Mr. Cole purchased additional land after settling in the township. In 1838, in company with his wife and daughter, he became a professor of religion, and united with the Baptist church of Stony Creek. He continued his membership with this organization until 1855, when he removed to Rochester, and aided largely in building up the Baptist society at that place. He lived an active Christian life, and when the time came for his departure he could truthfully say that '' to die is gain." He was no contending politician, but maintained the equal rights of man, and always boldly advocated the principles of temperance. He clung tenaciously to his love of rural scenes, and in February, 1867, ended a life of usefulness at the home of his early adoption. He left a wife and four children to mourn his loss. His three sons are residents of western Michigan, and one daughter is yet living in the locality made dear by a life-long association.