Cole, Frank B. (Franklin Bond), 1853-1921

COLE, WITENBURG

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/21/2016 at 21:52:18

From the Boyden Reporter, March 31, 1921:

Former Boyden Resident Dies

Word was received at Boyden last week announcing the death of Frank B. Cole at his home at Bassett, Iowa, on Friday afternoon at 4:45. Death was caused from heart trouble. His funeral was held on Tuesday at Milton, Wisconsin, and interment was made there beside the grave of his wife.

Deceased, who at the time of his death was some 67 years of age, is well known to the people of this community, having been a resident here for 31 years. He moved his family to Boyden on April twenty-sixth, 1888 and for twenty-eight years he was in the service of the Milwaukee railroad here, and in the spring of 1919, he and his daughter Leona moved to Bassett, Iowa, where he had charge of a station until his death. He leaves to mourn his death one son and four daughters, and a sister. The children are Fred Cole of Sweeny, S.D.; Goldie Peters of Matlock; Gertie Thompson of Yorkton, Canada; Leona of Bassett, Iowa, and Kittie North. The Reporter extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved ones.

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From the Boyden Reporter, April 7, 1921:

Franklin Bond Cole

Franklin Bond Cole was born at Brantford, Ontario, Aug. 19, 1953. With his parents he moved to Milton, Wisconsin when a mere boy, at which place he with an older brother received his baptism by a Seventh Day Baptist minister, his people being affiliated with that church at that time. He was united in marriage Oct. 17, 1875 to Kate Witenburg at Charles City, Iowa. To this union were born five children who were all at his bedside in the last days he spent on earth: One son, Fred H. Cole of Sweeney, S.D., and four daughters, Mrs. S. D. Thompson of Yorkton, Saskatchewan; Mrs. A. M. North of New Auburn, Wis.; Mrs. F. A. Peters, of Matlock, Ia.; and Miss Leona Cole of Bassett, Iowa who has been his sole companion and helper in his declining years.

Mr. Cole worked at the blacksmith trade for several years at Bassett, Iowa, then worked at New Hampton where he was night operator. He then took charge of the station at Boyden, Iowa in 1888. So faithful was he in service that after an accident at that place he did not cease from his duties but was so persistent in performance of them that he allowed no one to assist him in bracing the responsibility. This was characteristic of his life to the end, being never absent on account of sickness and although failing rapidly in the last few months he refused to leave his post until February 4th when he was forced to keep to his home and since that time grew rapidly worse until the end came to relieve his suffering March 26 at 4:45 p.m. His death being caused by a complication of diseases. The deceased was a faithful member of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers and also the Odd Fellows at the time of his death.

His children assisted by kind friends and neighbors did every thing possible but the faithful suffering body is laid at rest. He leaves besides four daughters and one son, five grandchildren, three sisters, one brother and a host of friends where he has lived to mourn his loss. His wife having preceded him in death on Aug. 13, 1890.

Rev. Caldwell of Clear Lake, Ia. conducted the funeral services at his home in Bassett. His children accompanied his remains to Milton, Wis. to rest beside his wife, the I.O.O.F. having charge of the services at the grave.