----Source: COLBY PHONOGRAPH (Colby, Wis.) 06/19/1919

Cole, Ira K. (28 NOV 1842 - JUN 1919)

The death of Ira K. Cole, formerly of this city (Colby, Wis.), occurred at canton, Minn., his home, of creeping paralysis. The remains were brought to Colby for burial and he was laid to rest in the Colby Cemetery Sunday, June 8. The funeral was conducted from the M. E. Church, Rev. J. H. Paul officiating. The local Masonic order, of which Mr. Cole was a member, conducted the remains to the cemetery and paid their final respect to their departed comrade.

In the church the Masons were ranged on the right, the G. A. R. on the left, backed by the Eastern Star and W. R. C. respectively. In the center isle were the mourners comprising Mrs. Cole of Canton, Minn., wife of the deceased, Mrs. H. J. Cdas of New Lisbon, daughter of Mr. L. M. Cole of Decatur, Ill, and Mrs. Ira L. Cole of Madison, his sons, Miss Nettie Edminster of Canton, a stepdaughter, Mrs. C. R. Cole and wife of Colby, a brother, and other relatives.

Mr. Cole was born in Fowler, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y. Nov. 28, 1842. At the age of ten years he moved with his parents Lewis and Phoebe Cole, to Defiance Co., Ohio. Her he remained until he attained manhood and on aug. 3, 1862 was married to Elvira M. Potts, at Milford, Ohio. Five children were born to this union, three of who survive him. Three hours after his marriage he enlisted in the army, serving in the Civil War until its close.

In May 1872 Mr. Cole removed with his family to Hersey, Minn., where he remained for ten years. In 1882 he moved his family to this city, where he remained until May 1916, when he took up his residence at Canton, Minn., where he remained until the time of his death.

For thirty-four years Mr. Cole was a resident of this city and during this period was an active member of the M. E. Church and for many years superintendent of the Sunday school. During the late years of his residence here he became affiliated with the Masonic order.

Mr. Cole was a carpenter by trade, but taught school a number of winters in the districts around Colby. He was foreman of the bridge and building department of the Wis. Central railroad for a number of years and also rural mail carrier for many years until declining health compelled him to resign his position.

On the 25th of June 1911 his first wife passed away. On Aug. 7, 1912, Mr. Cole was married to Elsie D. Edminster of Canton, Minn.

One daughter of the deceased, Jennie L. Cole, died in infancy at Hersey Minn. Mrs. John F. Lamont, another daughter, who grew up in Colby, Wisconsin, died at Wausau March 14, 1895.

Besides the above mentioned deceased is also survived by three brothers, L. E. Cole of Hicksville, Ohio, Chester H. Cole of Gove, Kansas and L. S. Cole of Schoolcraft, Mich. One sister also survives him, Mrs. E. O. Stone of Hicksville, Ohio.