Jacob H. Cole Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 371-372

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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JACOB H. COLE is one of the most successful and popular attorneys of 
Miller, South Dakota. Not by gift, purchase or, influence can one rise 
at the bar, but solely by merit must he gain his reputation, his 
ability winning him greatness, and enabling him to pass on the highway 
of life many who perhaps had accomplished part of the journey ere he 
started out. The success, therefore, that our subject has achieved in 
his chosen profession is due entirely to his own unaided efforts. 

Mr. Cole was born in Marion county, Iowa, February 3, 1859, and is a 
representative of one of the most prominent families of that locality, 
being a son of Aart and Henrietta (De Booy) Cole, natives of Holland, 
who came to the United States in 1847 and settled in Marion county, 
Iowa. They left their native land on account of religious persecution, 
and founded the town of Pella, or "city of refuge," believing in the 
complete separation of state and church. The father, who followed 
farming as a lifework, died in 1892, but the mother and three brothers 
of our subject are still living in Pella, Iowa, one conducting a flour 
and feed store at that place, another a seed store, while the third is 
serving as deputy postmaster. Another brother, Cyrenus Cole, is now 
editor and part owner of the Cedar Rapids "Republican" of Cedar Rapids, 
Iowa, and is quite prominent in political circles in that state. Some 
years ago he contributed to the annals of Iowa a history of Pella and 
the colony which founded the city. It has since appeared in book form. 

Our subject grew to manhood in Pella, and acquired his early education 
in its public schools. Later he attended the Central University of that 
city, where he was graduated and received the degrees of A. B. and A. 
M. After clerking for one year he entered the law department of Drake 
University, at Des Moines, Iowa, in the fall of 1881, and graduated 
there the following year. He also studied law under Judge C. C. Cole, 
of the supreme bench of Iowa. In 1883 he came to Miller, South Dakota, 
and opened an office. He was not long in building up the large and 
lucrative practice which he now enjoys, for his skill and ability were 
soon widely recognized, and he is also successfully engaged in the 
real-estate business. Although an ardent Republican in political 
sentiment, he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public 
office. His devotion to the public good, however, is unquestioned and 
arises from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow-men. He has 
made a host of warm friends since coming to Miller, and wherever known 
is highly respected.