Robert W. Cole,
farmer and speculator, P.O. Colesburg, was a son of James
and Rhoda Salina (Phelps) Cole, natives of England and
New York respectively. They located in Clayton County,
Ia., at an early day. James died in 1878. Robert was born
in Colesburg, Ia. July 7, 1854; he has been educated in
the district schools of the State, and at the Normal
School at Galena, Ill. In 1876 he married Mary, daughter
of Philip and Catherine (Brown) Hansel, natives of
Pennsylvania, who came to Iowa in 1845, and are now
living on a farm adjoining Mr. Coles. Mary was born in
Iowa, Oct. 8, 1859. By the above marriage there are two
children-- James P., born Sept. 18, 1877; Thomas Raymond,
born March 15, 1881. Mr. Cole is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, an Mrs. Cole, of the United
Brethren church. Mr. Cole owns 201 acres of fine land. He
lives on section 20, and has a fine home. He votes the
Republican ticket. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 916 |