BIO: George COLE, Franklin Township, Adams County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/adams/ _______________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 _______________________________________________ Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 405-406 GEORGE COLE, farmer and postmaster, P.O. Trust, is a native of Germany. His father, George, came to Buchanan Valley, from near Chambersburg, Franklin County, in 1840; had been twice married, and his first wife, Margaret (Krug) Cole, bore him three children: Jacob, Margaret and Martin. After her death he married Elizabeth Geltz, who became the mother of the following: George (our subject), John, Francis and Barbara, born in Germany, and Elizabeth, born in America. They emigrated from Berkenour, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1830, making Franklin County their stopping place. By trade the father was a cooper, which he also taught his sons, George and John, and after his death they established a shop on the homestead. They were both married on the same day, October 1, 1843, to daughters of George and Elizabeth (Bittinger) Strasbaugh- George to Nancy and John to Sarah-the ceremony being performed by Rev. Michael Dougherty. Both commenced life under the same roof on the Cole homestead, having Elizabeth and Francis with them, and this pleasant relation lasted fourteen years. To our subject were born Jacob J., Josephine E., Mary A., Sarah J. and Nancy J. (twins), Mary L., Elizabeth and John Francis, by his first wife; after whose death he married, January 9, 1865, Elizabeth Young, who bore him Francis X., George E., John A. and Mary E. Mrs. Elizabeth Cole died December 11, 1870, and June 19, 1871, Mr. Cole married his third wife, Sarah A. Noel. To this union one child (deceased) was born. During his long business career Mr. Cole has been a large land owner and has made many improvements in this beautiful valley. Always a man of enterprise, his large family were taught to work, and are to-day rising business men and women of Adams County. Miss Jennie S., his youngest daughter, manages the store, being well versed in the retail business, and is assistant in the postoffice. Only three of his first wife’s children are now living: Jacob, Mary and Jennie. In 1840 there were but few Catholics and only the wall of a church here, and the Coles were mainly instrumental in putting the church upon the substantial basis it now occupies, contributing largely with their time and means. Mr. George Cole was president of the committee of twenty horsemen that welcomed and escorted Rt. Rev. John Newman, bishop of Philadelphia, who came to this church to administer the sacrament of confirmation. When the procession came within a mile of the church a signal was given by the firing of a gun, and the church bell was rung until the bishop arrived at the church. When he entered the church the organ was played and the choir sang: Grosser Gott, wir loben Dich (Great God, we praise Thee). He declared that was the most royal reception ever given him in America. Mr. Cole was appointed postmaster of the first postoffice in Buchanan Valley, established June 19, 1886. Mrs. Sarah Cole is one of eleven children, all living, and her parents celebrated their golden wedding May 22, 1830. Both are now deceased.