Biography - JOHN TIVIS COLE

Among the citizens of Macoupin county now living retired who should receive mention in a work relating to the history and development of this section is John Tivis Cole. For practically sixty years he has been a resident of this county, being recognized for a large part of the time as one of its active and progressive men. Born in Tennessee August 25, 1820, he is a son of William and Susan (Brown) Cole, both of whom were also natives of Tennessee. It is evident that he has fighting blood in his veins as his grandfather, John Cole, a native of Virginia, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and his father carried a musket in the Black Hawk war.

John T. Cole received such education as the early district schools of Tennessee afforded and continued with his parents on the home place until after reaching manhood. He engaged in agriculture and as the settlers made their own clothing from material raised on their farms, he also assisted in spining flax and wool. In 1852, having decided to emigrate to the fertile lands north of the Ohio river, he built a flat boat and started with six families on toilsome journey of eleven weeks in search of a new home. The travelers stopped at Cairo and then proceeded up the Mississippi river with Alton as their destination. Of the six families that left Tennessee only two had the courage to proceed to the end of the journey. These two families loaded their household goods into two wagons at Alton and the journey to Macoupin county was made overland. Mr. Cole walked the entire distance from Alton and thus had a good opportunity of observing the country. He first located in Barr township where he continued until 1870, when he removed to South Otter township. He became the owner of four hundred acres of good land which he cultivated to excellent advantage until his retirement, in 1904. He assisted materially in advancing the permanent interests of the community and became known as the leader in his section. Although now in his ninety-second year he retains his strength in a remarkable degree, physcially and mentally, and has the appearance of a man of sixty.

In 1846 Mr. Cole was married to Miss Elizabeth Beard, of Tennessee a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Hall) Beard, both of whom were also born’in Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Cole have been born nine children and they can also claim twenty-two grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one greatgreat-grandchild. Their children are: Mary Jane, who married John Johnson, of Barr township, and has three children; Samuel S., who lives at Carlinville and is the father of two children; Thomas, of South Otter township, who is married and has ten children; Ruth, who is the wife of R. L. Woods, of South Otter township; J. Oscar, of South Otter township, who is also married and has two children; John Wesley, also a resident of South Otter township; Lulu E., who married R. C. Adams, of South Otter township, and is the mother of one child; Everett M., of South Otter township, who is married and has a family of four children; and Ida, now Mrs. F. B. Huber, of Nilwood.

Mr. Cole is an adherent of the democratic party, of which he has been a life long supporter. He has served as highway commissioner and as member of the school board but has never aspired to public office, preferring the duties of private life. He is a sincere believer in the Bible and has for many years been a member of the Southern Methodist church, of which he is serving as steward. He represents that class of men who come to the front in what they undertake and are fearless in the discharge of any responsibility that enlists their interest. These are the men among whom may be found the pioneers in all great movements and they justly deserve the confidence and respect of all who admire courage and nobility in human character.

Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 679-680.