My Genealogy Hound

D. C. & I. R. Cole are prominent lumber manufacturers of Poinsett County, Ark., and have been established in business since May, 1886, their mill having a capacity of 1,500,000 feet per year. They are situated two and one-half miles north of Harrisburg, and have their own tramway of three and one-half miles, and employ from fifteen to twenty men, to whom they aim to give employment the year round. Isaac R. Cole, the senior member of the firm, was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1833, and inherits a fair share of the energy and push which are so characteristic of the inhabitants of that State. He was the sixth of eight children born to James and Sarah (Rupple) Cole, who were born in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively; at an early day they settled in Darke County, Ohio, and in February, 1836, emigrated overland to St. Joseph County, Ind., where they settled on a farm and made their home the remainder of their days, the former’s death occurring in July, 1856, and the latter’s in October, 1860. In this county and State Isaac R. Cole received his education and was initiated into the mysteries of farm work. After having farmed for himself for a number of years he, in 1871, engaged in the milling business in North Liberty, Liberty Township, St. Joseph County, and in 1886 moved his mill to Poinsett County, Ark., where he has his present plant. Being a man of excellent business qualifications and experience, he has built up an extensive business and readily disposes of immense quantities of lumber annually, as his shipping facilities are good. In 1856 he was married, in the “Hoosier State,” to Miss Eliza J. Rush, but she was called to her long home three years later, leaving a son, James Arthur. Miss Mary Ellen Reamer became Mr. Cole’s second wife, their union taking place in 1860. She was born in the State of Indiana, and she and Mr. Cole have an interesting little family of three children: Alma Alice (Mrs. Nelson, a resident of St. Joseph County, Ind.), Benjamin F. and Mabel B. at home. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at North Liberty, Ind., and he was Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 266, of the A. F. & A. M., at North Liberty, Ind. During his residence in this county (since 1886) he has noticed a gradual improvement each year, and has taken an active interest in promoting the growth and improvement of the same. Churches and schools always receive his patronage, and on his and his brother’s land, which amounts to 2,600 acres, many homes are being erected and clearings made, and a schoolhouse will soon be erected thereon.