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John C. Cole, farmer and proprietor of Cole's Mill, was born in Franklin

County, Ky., March 4, 1814.  He is a son of Aquilla Cole, deceased,
a native of Maryland, who settled in Washington County, Mo., in 1818 at
that time a dense forest.  John C. Cole was reared on a farm, but spent
the greater part of his early life in the lead mines of Washington County.

He removed to Jefferson County in 1840, and settled on the farm near his 

present home, which now consists of 400 acres.  The mill was first built 

by Smith & Tarpley in 1840, and, the firm failing, the property was 

disposed of at a sheriff's sale in 1842, Capt. White purchasing a one-half

interest and Mr. Smith retaining the other half.  Mr. Cole and his brother

afterward purchased Mr. White's interest, and in 1843 secured Mr. Smith's.

The following year the mill was destroyed by a tornado, but was rebuilt the

same year, and conducted until 1887.  It is now somewhat out of repair, but

when in order the machinery is driven by water, through an overshot wheel,

twenty feet in diameter, the water being supplied by springs, and the best

of flour is made.  In September, 1850, Mr. Cole married Miss Sarah A., 

daughter of Rev. William Walker (deceased), a pioneer Methodist Episcopal 

minister, of Southeastern Missouri.  Of the ten children born to this union

seven are living, viz.: Sarah, who married Richard Farrar, of Valle Township,
this county, and has one child, William; Rebecca, who became the wife of 

Alonzo Kite, also of this township, and has five children; Catherine, now

Mrs. Henry Kite, and the mother of five children; Sterling, Alice and Winnie.

Mrs. Cole died August 25, 1872.  In politics, Mr. Cole is a Democrat.