Howard W. Cole Biography This biography appears on pages 268-272 in "History of Dakota Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm HOWARD W. COLE. Howard W. Cole was serving for the second term as sheriff of his county when death called him on the 5th of June, 1905. He made his home in Aberdeen from the 1st of January, 1903, and bore all unassailable reputation for faithfulness in office. He had previously been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Brown county, in which connection he was also well known. Michigan numbered him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Eureka, Montcalm county, on the 29th of March, 1857, his parents being Leander T. and Sarah Jane (Stout) Cole. His father was a native of New York but at the age of fourteen years left that state with his parents, who removed with their family to Jackson county, Michigan. In 1851 Leander T. Cole became a resident of Greenville, Michigan, and it was there that he became acquainted with and married Miss Sarah J. Stout. They began their domestic life on a farm in Eureka township, Montcalm county. In 1881 they removed to Brown county, South Dakota, and later located six miles north of Groton, this state, where Mr. Cole passed away January 17, 1900. He was for two years a member of the Twenty-first Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and participated in a number of the hotly contested battles which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. Howard W. Cole was the eldest in a family of four children and spent his youthful days on the home farm, being early trained to habits of industry and economy. He continued to assist his father in the work of the old homestead until he was married in 1880, at the age of twenty-three years. Not long afterward he removed to South Dakota, taking up his abode in Brown county, August 9, 1881, at which time he secured a preemption claim about ten miles north of the present town of Groton. In 1882 he disposed of that property and secured a homestead claim in what is now Claremont township, covering the southeast quarter of section 25, township 125, range 60. Soon afterward he became foreman on the farm of H. M. Fuller and in the spring of 1884 he formed a partnership with S. W. Weber, F. D. Adams and H. C. Sessions for the purchase of the Fuller farm, to which they added from time to time until the place comprised twelve hundred and eighty acres. The partnership was continued until the death of Mr. Adams in 1898 and Mr. Cole retained his interest in the property until in 1903, when the partners sold their interests. He retained three hundred and twenty acres, however, but sold this before coming to Aberdeen. Mr. Cole continued to reside on the ranch until the autumn of 1902, when he was elected sheriff of the county, and on the 1st of January, 1903, removed to Aberdeen to enter upon the active discharge of his duties. That he was loyal, capable and faithful during his first term is indicated in his reelection. He only served for five months of the second term, however, for death called him on the 5th of June, 1905. He was prominent in connection with a number of public affairs. He aided in the organization of Claremont township and served on its board of supervisors for a number of years. For nine years he filled the office of school treasurer in his district and he represented his township in nearly all of the county and state republican conventions, the party recognizing in him one of its stalwart and effective champions. For two terms be acted as postmaster of Huffton. As previously stated, Mr. Cole was married on the 9th of December, 1880, the lady of his choice being Miss Theresa M. Howell, who was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, a daughter of Gideon and Nancy A. (Longstreet) Howell. Her father was a native of Oxford county, Ontario, and in 1865 he took his family to Michigan, where he followed the blacksmith's trade until 1884. He then removed to Detroit township, Brown county, South Dakota, opening the first blacksmith shop in that township. After living there for a time he removed to Claremont and conducted a general blacksmithing business at that place until his life's labors were ended in death in 1901, when he was seventy-four years of age. He was married in Canada in 1854 to Nancy Ann Longstreet, and they were the parents of five children, of whom three are yet living, Henry Casper, Lawrence Richard and Mrs. Cole. Mr. Howell was a republican in his political views, always strongly endorsing the principles of the party. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church and his fraternal relations were with the Masons. Mrs. Howell now makes her home with her daughter Mrs. Cole in Aberdeen. To Mr. and Mrs. Cole were born five children, of whom Charles Henry died at the age of four years and three months. Arthur Maxwell, who attended high school and later graduated from Granger Business College, is now cashier of the Naragan Investment Company. Mildred Nancy, now a teacher in the public schools, attended the Aberdeen high school and took a post-graduate course at the Northern Normal Industrial School. Mary Jeannette, who also pursued a post-graduate course at the Northern Normal School, is now the wife of Frank E. Guline, cashier in the freight department of the Northwestern Railroad office. Walter Gideon is attending high school. Mr. Cole was well known in Masonic circles, holding membership in Cement Lodge, No. 103, A. F. & A. M., at Claremont; Aberdeen Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M.; Damascus Commandery, No. 10, K. T., of Aberdeen; Adah Chapter. No. 52. O. E. S.. at Claremont. and was also a Scottish Rite Mason, belonging to James C. Bachelor Lodge of Perfection, No. 6; Aberdeen , No. 4, Rose Croix; Albert Pike Council, No. 4, Knights of Kodosh; South Dakota Consistory, No. 4, S. P. R. S.; and Yelduz Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He was identified with Claremont Lodge, No. 5, A. O. U. W.; Claremont Tent, No. 25, K. O. T. M.; and Claremont Camp, No. 6199, M. W. A. He was ever loyal to the teachings of these organizations and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit which underlies them. He never sought to figure prominently in any public connection, but his genuine worth and strength of character made him a leading factor in local affairs and caused his death to be deeply regretted among those who knew him. He was a most upright man, was recognized as the soul of honor and was loved by all who knew him.