COLE, Lyman 1821-1899

COLE, DAVIS, CUMMINGS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:16

A Pioneer Gone

Mr. Lyman Cole, one of Grundy County's Foremost Citizens Died Tuesday, October 17, 1899

In the death of Lyman Cole the public as a community feels an unusual depth of sorrow and regret, though he had outlived his three score years and ten. He had lived in this place many years and taken an active interest in every enterprise of the community, and of him it may be truly said that he lent his aid and gave of his means without any thought of personal aggrandizement or political honor. A good man has gone to share the reward of the faithful, and a pleasant home of many years is made desolate and lonely by his immutable absence. His place at the fireside can never be filled by another; his fatherly advice and admonitions will be heard no more; his position in the M.E. church, of which he was an active and devoted member, cannot be occupied by a less earnest and loyal disciple of Christ; his hold upon the friendship and affections of the community will not lose its grasp and his memory will be kept sacred; others have come and gone and other lives have brightened the pathway of the hardy pioneers of this county, but to Lyman Cole was preserved the distinction of seeing our county land increased from $1 or $60 per acre during his lifetime, and in the bosom of the soil he sought so earnestly to increase in value for the good of posterity was laid to rest his ashes after a life of usefulness and a glorious battle in the prison of the flesh. William Cullen Bryant's verse on "The Ages" fittingly portrays the public's estimation of the deceased.
"Peace to the just man's memory; let it grow
Greener with the years, and blossom through the flight
Of ages; let the mimic canvas show
His calm benevolent features; let the light
Stream on his deeds of love that shunned the sight
Of all but heaven, and, in the book of fame,
The glorious record of his virtues write,
And hold it up to men, and bid them calm
A palm like his, and catch from the hallowed flame."

The funeral was held from the M.E. church Saturday, October 21, at two o'clock p.m. The services were conducted by the pastor, Dr. S. N. Fellows, and he discoursed on the blessedness of the resurrection in the Lord. His remarks were full of truthful descriptions of man's future state according to the scriptures, and he expressed the belief that the deceased was enjoying that state of blessedness preserved by the true followers of Christ. To the remaining members of the family he gave words of comfort and consolation and commended them to the care and keeping of a just and righteous ruler who knew the depth of their bereavement and could heal the broken heart of all its sorrows. He read the following obituary notice from the pulpit, and at the close of the services the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery west of town followed by a large concourse of sympathizing friends and neighbors:

Lyman Cole died in Grundy Center, Iowa, October 17, 1899. He was born March 8, 1821, in Stanstead, Stanstead county, Quebec, Dominion of Canada; and was the son of Thomas and Sallie Davis Cole. Lyman was only fifteen years of age when his father died. He then left home and for a time lived in Massachusetts. Subsequently he returned to Canada and enlisted in the Patriot War, and continued in military service four and a half years. After leaving the army he went to Illinois, then to Hazel Green, Wisconsin, and at length settled on a farm near Mt. Carroll, Illinois.

On the 2nd of July 1846, he was married to Miss Emily F. Cummings, daughter of Jonathan Cummings of Vermont, who for more than fifty-three years was his companion and now mourns his departure. To them were born five children: Byron B. of Grundy Center; Luella M., wife of Henry Dilly, of Grundy Center; Herbert A. of Marshalltown; Dorlan A., deceased; Delin, wife of David P. Wetzel, of Wellington, Kansas.

In 1856 Mr. Cole sold his property in Illinois and came to Grundy county, Iowa, and settled in Washington township. The county was then in its infancy and was nearly all wild prairie. A few families were scattered here and there, but the work of civilization and progress seemed scarcely begun. The nearest trading point was Waterloo. Indians were numerous and they frequently camped in a grove belonging to Mr. Cole. He and his wife knew from personal experience the difficulties and trials of pioneer life. In 1883 he built a residence in Grundy Center, which he occupied until his death.

In 1868, while Rev. Wm. Faucett, now of Chicago, was pastor, Lyman Cole and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal church. The deep interest of Mr. Cole in the church of his choice is shown in the fact that at one time he mortgaged his farm for $1,000 to save and complete the first M.E. church building in Grundy Center. For thirty years he was a trustee of the church and one of its most liberal supporters. At one time he held the office of School Fund Commissioner, and was county supervisor for six years. At his death he was a director in the Grundy County National Bank.

Thus for forty-three years Lyman Cole lived and moved in this community as an upright business man. He was affectionate, hospitable and kind in his home, strong in his friendships, honest and true in all his obligations and especially generous and helpful to the needy and unfortunate.

His last illness was of short duration and accompanied with very little suffering. While his mind was yet clear, his pastor visited, conversed and prayed with him. He responded earnestly to the Divine promises quoted and the prayer offered, and testified to his unfaltering trust in Jesus Christ the Savior of the world and his own personal Savior.

Thus lived and died one, who in this community was a conspicuous figure in religious, social and business life for forty-three years. Truly he lived an unblemished life, and at his death he left to his family and the community, the legacy of a good name.

The following relatives were present from out of town to attend the funeral: Philo Cole, Mrs. Phineas Davis, Mt. Carroll, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Birney Cole and daughter, Millette, S.D.; Loomis Kellogg, Spring Valley, Minn.; Dr. and Mrs. David Wetzel, Wellington, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Cole and children, Marshalltown.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 26 October 1899, pg 5