- "Colby Phonograph", Colby, Clark Co., WI, published 29 Jan1920 Thursday evening, Jan. 22, 1920,long to be remembered and looked back upon as one of themost enjoyable events in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. CharlesR. Cole of this city (Colby, Wis.), it being the date ofthe fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. A reception, planned by numerousfriends of this estimable couple, was held in Umhoefer'shall in the evening. About eight o'clock the invitedguests began to arrive and within a short time nearly threehundred people had assembled to help them celebrate theoccasion. One of the features of the eveningwas the wedding ceremony performed by attorney George B.Parkhill of Abbotsford, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Grimes actingas witnesses. After the wedding ceremony dancing wasindulged in a real merry and social good time was enjoyedby all. A fine lunch, which was served by the ladies,was also one of the outstanding features of theevening. As a matter of fact, everyone was havingsuch a good time that the hours slipped by almost unnoticeduntil the folks from the country began to realize that itwas almost milking time. Accordingly, a halt wascalled and the guests departed for their respective homes,declaring that it was one of the grandest social gatheringsthey had ever attended and wishing Mr. and Mrs. Coleanother fifty years more of happiness andcontentment. The guests presented the couple with $25in gold coins as a remembrance of the occasion. Accompanying this announcement isa cut which is an excellent likeness of Mr. and Mrs. Cole,and, as the photograph from which it was made was taken buta few days ago, a first glance would satisfy one that theyare both enjoying good health, which is true, we arepleased to say. It is needless to add that they areamong the oldest and most respected of the remainingpioneers who played such an important part in the historyand up-building of this community. The followingshort sketch of incidents and experiences during theirlives will prove interesting. Charles Rodney Cole was born inthe town of Milford, Defiance Co., Ohio, on October 5,1847. His wife, whose maiden name was Sevilla ClarkSmith, was born at Southport (now Kenosha, Wis.) on Feb.18, 1846. They were married on Jan. 22, 1870, atMilford and lived there twelve years, coming to Wisconsinin April 1882, settling in the town of Wein, Marathon Co.,10 miles east and 2 miles north of Colby. The lasttwo miles leading to their new home had to be made on footas there was no road, save a lonely trail through thewoods. Owing to the lack of educational advantages ofthat section in those days, Mr. Cole soon decided to moveto Colby, where he and his brother, I. K. Cole, who hadjust a short time before came from Brewster, Minn., went towork together doing carpenter work. In the month of Sept. 1882, Mr.and Mrs. Cole purchased of L. D. Reynolds a house and twoacres of land where now stands the residence of Frank Silland Gust Franz. In May 1898 they sold to W. D.Bartell and bought the Bunnell farm two miles south ofColby, where they lived during the following nineteenyears, until they traded their farm to Charles Schultz forhis residence in the city an a money consideration. They made this place their home until last September, whenthey sold the property to E. O. Witt, manager of the ColbyCheese Box Company, and then purchased of HermanWiedenhoeft what is known as the Charles Friday residenceon 4th Street, where they now reside. Of the three children born to themonly one survives, Mrs. Fred Hutton of this city. Theothers, Frances Cole Cowan and Arthur M., have gone before. Those from out of town who werepresent at the golden wedding were: Mr. and Mrs. WalterCook, Unity, Mr. and Mrs. Niles Parkhill and Mr. and Mrs.George B. Parkhill, Abbotsford.
From Lois Yeomans, believed to have been published in the"Colby Phonograph." Charles Rodney Cole and SevillaClara Smith were married on January 22, 1870 at Milford(Ohio) and lived there twelve years, coming to Wisconsin inApril, 1882, settling in the town of Wein, 10 miles eastand 2 miles north of Colby. The last two milesleading to their new home had to be made on foot as therewas no road save a lonely trail through the woods. Owing tothe lack of educational advantage of that section in thosedays, Mr. Cole soon decided to move to Colby where he andhis brother I. K. Cole, who had just a short time beforecome from Brewster, Minn., went to work together doingcarpenter work. In the Month of September, 1882, Mr. andMrs. Cole purchased of L. D. Reynolds a house and two acresof land where now stands the residence of Frank Sill andGust Franz. In May, 1898, they sold to W. D. Bartelland bought the Bunnell farm two miles south of Colby wherethey lived during the following nineteen years until theytraded their farm to Chas. Schultz for his residence in thecity and a money consideration. They made this placetheir home until last September when they sold the propertyto E. O. Witt, manager of the Colby Cheese Box company, andthen purchased of Herman Wiedenhoeft what is known as theChas. Friday residence on the 4th street where they nowreside.
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