Cole, Liberty W. 1820-1900

COLE, MCCLELLAN, BROCK, SHOEMAKER, FISHELL, BASS, MCCLELLAND

Posted By: Nancy Bleil (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:25

Death of Liberty Cole
Liberty Cole died last Monday morning at the home of his son, Charles Cole, at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He and his daughter, Mrs. R. W. Fishel of this city, were visiting there at the time and death came suddenly and unannounced. His death was due to a heart failure his illness lasting but a few minutes.

The deceased was born in New York (sic - born in Indiana) seventy nine years ago and when thirteen years old came with his parents to Missouri. In 1844 he moved to Iowa and for many years resided on a farm one mile south of Colesburg. Liberty Cole was one of the old settlers of Delaware county and was honored and esteemed by all who knew him.

The funeral service will be held today at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and the remains will be taken to Clayton City, Iowa for burial.

Sherriff Fishel left yesterday morning for Clayton City, Iowa to attend the funeral of his father-in-law, Liberty Cole.

Manchester Democrat. Manchester, Delaware co., Iowa, Wednesday, February 28, 1900, p. 5.

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Liberty W. Cole
Died, in the city of Prairie du Chien, February 26th, at the home of his son, Charles Cole, Mr. Liberty W. Cole, aged 80 years, 9 months.

Liberty W. Cole was born in the state of Indiana in 1820; removed with his parents to Missouri at an early age; resided in that state until 1840; removed from there to Colesburg, Delaware Co., Iowa, where he entered land and made himself a home and married Miss Jane McClellan, daughter of Capt. McClellan, of Garnavillo, In this home they endured together the privations of pioneer life. A family of ten children were born to them, two, a son and a daughter, dying in infancy. The remaining eight grew to manhood and womanhood.

In the spring of 1863 he removed to Clayton Co., settling on a farm near Clayton City, where he again made a home, residing there until the death of his wife in 1893. During her long and painful illness he tended her with the greatest care, proving himself one of the most faithful of husbands, as well as the kindest of fathers.

A daughter, Mrs. Orissay Brock, of McGregor, died two weeks ago. Her death with that of a beloved grandchild affected him deeply. He was the last surviving member of his father's family of ten children. Among his descendants there have been born 49 grandchildren and 22 great grand children. Eleven of this number preceded him to the better land.

Of his children, with the exception of Mrs. Shoemaker, of Omaha, Neb., and Charles Cole now in Wyoming, there were present at the funeral, Mrs. Anna Fishell and husband, of Manchester; Seth, of McGregor; Hiram Brock's family, of McGregor; Charles Cole's family, of Prairie du Chien; Adelbert Cole of Almoral; Edgar, of Turkey River, and Mrs. Altie Bass and family, of McGregor.

Mr. Cole possessed one of those strong and resolute characters which early pioneer life often develops. Surrounded by a wilderness full of dangers as one of the young pioneers, his combined traits of sagacity, caution, courage and steadiness of purpose, well qualified him for the dangers of the chase; and his love of venture often found him alone in the dark forests or on the outskirts of the wild prairies in pursuit of game. He encountered wolves, panther, bears and Indians, and was most remarkable successful in bringing deer, elk and other game. He was also remarkable in detailing early events and in feeling a deep interest in the events of the day. He retained his faculties to eh moment of his death. He was a ‘great reader’ and keep himself posted on all the events of the day. He leaves behind him the memory of a just and upright man and we trust is united with those he loved as well.

Life is a dream, a battle fought,
Against relentless Time,
And comrades dear, both old and young,
Fall fast beneath his aim

We mourn them as we plod along,
Unconscious of the day,
When Time shall swing his keen-edged blade
And hasten us away.

And though we well know what must come,
Our sorrows find relief,
From hope and faith in after life,
Our cherished, loved belief.

And now an aged sire has gone,
From life’s uncertain shore,
To meet, we hope, the friends he loved,
Who hastened on before.

Manchester Press, Manchester, Iowa, Thursday, March 8, 1900, p. 8.

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Note: although no gravestone has been found for him or his wife, they are more than likely buried in the Clayton cemetery. Confirmation would be appreciated. (update 8/1/2020, see obit from the Elkader Register below for burial place)

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Added by Reid R. Johnson 8/1/2020:

Elkader Register, Thur., 08 Mar. 1900.

Died at Prairie du Chien, Feb. 26, 1900, at the home of his son Charles, Mr. Liberty W. Cole, aged 80 years 9 months.

He was born in Indiana May 1st, 1820, and removed with his parents to Missouri at an early age residing in that state until 1840, he removed from there to Colesburg, Delaware county, which town he and his brother laid out, the town taking its name from the family. Here he entered land and made himself a home and married Miss Jane McClellan, daughter of Captain McClellan, of Garnavillo, and they endured together the privations of pioneer life.

Surrounded by a wilderness full of danger, as one of the young pioneers his combined traits of sagacity, caution, courage and steadiness of purpose well qualified him for the dangers that were before him, and his love of adventure often times found him in the dark forests or on the outskirt of the wild prairie in pursuit of the game and he encountered, wolves, panthers, bears and indians. Ten children were born to the union, two dying in infancy, the remaining eight grew to manhood and womanhood.

In the spring of 1863, he removed to Clayton county, where he again made himself a home, residing there until the death of his wife in 1893. During her long and painful illness he tended her with the greatest care and devotion; proving himself the most faithful of husband's as well as the kindest of father's. Mrs. _rissey (the first letter looks like either O, C,or G.) Brock, of McGregor, died two weeks ago, her death together with that of the death of a loved grandchild affected him most deeply and was one of the causes of his demise.

He was the last surviving member of his father's family of ten children. Among his descendants there has been born 48 grandchildren and 22 great-great-grandchildren, twelve of this number having preceded him to the better land. Of his children with the exception of Mrs. Shoemaker, of Omaha, Neb., and Charles Cole, of Basin City, Wyoming, they were all present at his funeral which took place at Clayton, where he was laid beside his companion gone before.

His was an exemplary life of honesty and integrity, his aim being always to do right, and he commanded the love and respect of all wherever he went. He retained his faculties to the end and was ready and willing to go, and said he was not afraid to die. For what counts in the end, if not a life well spent, his motto was "Do Right" and he leaves behind him the memory of a just and upright man.

An aged sire has gone
From life's uncertain shore,
To meet the friends he loved
Who hastened on before.

Note: Copied as published. There appears to be several errors in this obit.