Biography of J H Cole, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 14 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Transcribed by Lisa Hamilton from 
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SOURCE:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 
Arkansas. Chicago:Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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In passing through Eastern Arkansas it would be impossible to meet a gentleman
of more marked characteristics than J. H. Cole, the subject of this sketch. He
is a typical Tennessean, and a man of more than ordinary physical strength and
activity, and the observer needs to be no expert to recognize in him a person of
unyielding determination and will. He still stands erect and walks with the
agility of a man of forty years, although three score years and two have passed
their mantle upon him, his birth occurring in 1827. He spent his boyhood days in
Stewart and Humphries Counties, Tenn., but the monotony of his quiet life made
him restless and the opening of the Mexican War gave him an opportunity to see
life in its most exciting phase. Eagerly embracing the opportunity, he enlisted
in 1846, and followed the fortunes of the war until its close, participating in
the famous battles of Monterey and Buena Vista At the close of hostilities he
went to New Orleans, and for two years engaged in the drug business. Returning
thence to Tennessee, shortly after he was married in Carroll County to Miss May
Mathews, and moved to Hickman, Ky., where he accepted a position as marshal and
wharf master. He then came to Madison, the old county seat of Arkansas, landing
there in September of 1857, having made the journey from Helena in a dugout or
canoe. In Madison he opened a livery business, acting as agent for the line to
Hot Springs, and contractor for the lines from Helena to Cherokee Bluff. At the
breaking out of the war he joined the Fifth Arkansas State Troops, under Ristor,
but when they joined the Confederate army he left and took charge of Hardee's
wagon train for Missouri. He was suddenly taken ill, and obliged to come home,
but afterward reported to Col. Walker, and was with him in the fight at Helena.
He was taken prisoner by Powell Clayton, a short time after receiving his
parole; and was once charged with the burning of a boat, and on trial for his
life, but Clayton proved him in his hands as a prisoner at the time, which act
saved his life as soon as the war closed he opened at Madison the first store in
St. Francis County, under the firm name of Cole & Prewett. He received all the
goods with which to conduct it from New Orleans on credit, through the influence
of friends, and from that departure made a fortune, The firm continued till the
Governor of the State called for civil instead of marshal law. A committee was
appointed to select some reliable man to go and secure the commission from the
Governor, but, although various parties were appointed, no one would undertake
the venture; accordingly Mr. Cole-always fearless as he was shrewd-started
without telling any one of his intention. He went on horseback to Memphis, and
from there by boat to Little Rock, where he secured an interview with the
Governor, and received the commission. He then returned home and immediately
called together some of the most reliable men of the county, appointing them to
the various offices. Then in a field close to an old court house, he organized
the first county court after the war. The records had been buried there during
the war. The commissioner of the post came and ordered him to jail, but he read
him the commission from the Governor, showing him that his time of service had
expired the day before. Mr. Cole was not in favor of secession, but went with
his State when it seceded. A man by the name of Inge was sent from Mississippi
before the war for the purpose of preaching secession. Mr. Cole made the remark
to Judge Pierce of the county, that it would have been better if South Carolina
had slipped into the sea than to have slipped out of the Union. The secessionist
procured a pistol and cowhide, and began to whip Mr. Cole. A fight ensued, in
which Mr. Inge was killed. Our subject was afterward wholly exonerated by the
court.