“The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  
Western Historical Company.   1879.


JOHN W. COLE, Watertown; is the third son of Ebenezer Cole, and 
brother of Luther A. Cole, whose biography precedes this one, and was 
born the 28th day of December, 1814, in Charleston, Orleans Co., Vt.; 
until the age of 22, he worked upon the farm of his parents, and with his 
father at his trade of carpenter and joiner.  In the fall of 1836, he started 
West, and first came to Milwaukee, where he remained until January, 
1837, cutting timber on the Milwaukee River, when he moved to 
Watertown, making the trip with ox-teams, carrying flour and pork, and 
with his brother, Luther A., and five others, kept what was called the 
“bachelor’s distress” for four years.  He engaged with his brother in the 
general merchandise business, having built the first store in Watertown.  
Having dissolved partnership with his brother, Mr. Cole built a store on 
the north corner of Second and Main streets, and carried on a general 
merchandise business for about fifteen years, part of this time being also 
engaged in the manufacture of saleratus and potash.  In 1854, he built the 
block of stores on the southeast corner of Second and Main streets, since 
which time Mr. Cole has lived retired from active business in 
Watertown.  For two years he held, in Osage Co., while living there, the 
office of County Commissioner.  In 1855, he held the office of Mayor of 
Watertown, and has also been Supervisor of Jefferson Co.  He married 
Miss Eliza C. Fisk (daughter of James L. and Laura Fisk, of the State of 
New York) Nov. 19, 1844; they had three children, one living – Oscar 
A., and two deceased – one named Johnnie, the other dying in infancy.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel  (LPingel@worldnet.att.net)