Georgia:  Coweta County:  Biography of J. R. COLE 

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J. R. COLE, one of the prominent men of Coweta county, and among the leading 
men of business of Turin, is a native of this county, born in 1856, his 
parents, John N. and Mary M. (Britton) Cole, being South Carolinians by 
birth. John N., who was the son of Richard and Susan O. (Vance) Cole, both 
of South Carolina, came to Georgia about 1834, and settled in Coweta county, 
where he cleared up for himself a farm in the woods. When the war broke out 
he early enlisted, joining a company of the Fifty-third regiment, under 
command of Capt. Hance, but after serving nearly two years was taken sick 
with typhoid fever and died in 1862 at Richmond, Va. As a soldier he was 
loyal and devoted, and as a man was universally like and respected. He was a 
faithful and conscientious member of the Baptist church, in which he was an 
earnest worker. 

His wife was a daughter of John and Lucinda (Aikens) Britton, who came to 
Georgia from South Carolina, and after some years' residence in Oglethorpe 
county, about 1837, settled in Coweta county. After the death of her husband 
Mrs. Cole had a very hard time, and with very great difficulty provided for 
the needs of herself and her children. Her son, J. R., was but six years old 
at the time of his father's death, and the many privations the family must 
need undergo made a deep impression upon his mind. 

He saw his mother obliged to burn corn cobs in order to obtain the soda ash 
with which to lighten her bread. After the marriage of her daughter, the 
latter, with her husband, made her home with her mother, her husband taking 
the control of the family and its affairs. For this brother-in-law the young 
lad, J. R., worked for several years, and thus early in life manifested his 
promptitude and energy of character, for he was the first to rise in the 
morning to call the hands, and the first to start his mule in the field. The 
privation he felt most keenly was his loss of schooling, and when at last, at 
eighteen years of age, he was able to attend one year, he appreciated the 
privilege at its true value, and used it accordingly. Upon reaching the age 
of twenty years he left his brother-in-law and hired out to his grandfather, 
receiving for his own labor and that of a mule which his brother-in-law had 
given him, the sum of $10 per month. He remained here for thirteen months, 
during which time he only spent $20. 

In August, 1878, he and his brother-in-law bought out a small business, but 
as they were not familiar with it, for some time they had considerable 
difficulty in getting along. 

After two years Mr. Cole bought out his partner, giving his note for the 
amount. His natural aptitude for business was now developed, and by strict 
attention to every detail, by care and prudence in its management, and by the 
most perfect integrity in his dealings, he has built up a large and lucrative 
business. He occupies a handsome brick block, the foundations of drilled 
rock, and carries a $10,000 stock of goods. His wife, to whom he was married 
in 1884, was Miss Lula Sasser, daughter of W. W. Sasser, and they have been 
blessed with three children, Thomas M., Frank S., and Marie. Mrs. Cole was 
born and reared in Coweta county, and she and her husband are true and 
devoted members of the M. E. church. Mr. Cole served as postmaster for Turin 
from 1882 to 1890. His business ability is recognized throughout his 
section, where he and his family are well known and highly esteemed.

Transcribed from MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA published by the Southern Historical 
Association, 1895.