My Genealogy Hound

Judge John H. Cole, chairman of the Wayne County Court and native of the county, was born May 17, 1834, son of Bennett and Nancy (Kirwin) Cole, both of whom were born in North Carolina. The father married in his native State and came to Wayne County, Tenn., in 1825, and followed farming and stock-raising until his death in 1857. John H.’s boyhood days were spent on his father’s farm, and in acquiring such education as could be obtained in the old-fashioned schools of his day. In December, 1860, he married Nancy A. Linn, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the breaking out of hostilities between North and South, he suspended work for a time, and in December, 1863, enlisted as a private in Company C, Second Tennessee Federal Mounted Infantry, and served with his regiment in Middle Tennessee until Lee’s surrender. He returned home and resumed farming, and that same year was elected clerk of the county court and served by re-election until 1878, with the exception of one term (1869-70). During 1879-80 he served the county in the capacity of superintendent of public schools. He farmed during that time and has continued the same up to the present. In 1881 he was elected magistrate of the Fourth District, and held that position by re-election until January, 1886, when he was elected to his present position of chairman of the county court. Judge Cole’s married life has been blessed with twelve children, but four now living: Viola A. (Mrs. J. C. Taylor), Jasper E., Martha V. and Mary F. The Judge is an uncompromising Democrat in politics, although he was a Whig prior to the war. He is a Mason, Royal Arch degree, and a member of the K. of H. He is an adherent of the Christian Church, and is one of Wayne County’s competent and just officials.