J. A. Cole, a prominent businessman of Fresno was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, in 1842. In 1859 he moved with his parents to Kentucky, remaining on the farm with his father until 1869. His education was obtained in the common schools of Indiana and at Beach College, Kentucky, he being a graduate of that institution.
In 1869 Mr. Cole left his Kentucky home and went to Kansas, taking up a Government claim in Riley County. Owing to the dry seasons, his venture was a losing one, and in 1872 he emigrated to California, landing on Big Dry Creek, Fresno County. Having lost what means he had in Kansas, he arrived in this State with no capital save a willing hand and a determination to succeed. For some time he worked at mining and was variously employed, working by the day. As the years passed by he saved his earnings, and in 1879 purchased 640 acres of land, located ten miles northeast of Fresno, upon which he carried on wheat-farming, also renting additional land and harvesting from 3,000 to 10,000 sacks per year. Mr. Cole has since added to his first purchase and his ranch now numbers 1, 120 acres. He still continues to rent some land, and sows from 1,000 to 1,5000 acres of wheat per year. In the fall and winter of 1884 and 1885 he was five months in plowing, and put out a crop of 1,500 acres. He and his nephew brought the first header and thresher to this valley in 1883, the machine requiring twenty-four horses to run it. During the following year it was in operation eighty-four consecutive days and cut nearly 3,000 acres of wheat. This ranch is now under the direct management of Mr. Cole's eldest son.
In 1886 the subject of our sketch purchased a residence on Blackstone avenue, Fresno, where he has since made his home. At that time he engaged in the real-estate business under the firm name of Vincent, Chittenden & Cole, which, in the spring of 1890, consolidated with Sharp & Gordon, and the firm now carry on an extensive business.
Mr. Cole has been married three times, twice into the Darnold family of Kentucky, each wife leaving one child. In 1882 he was married in Fresno to Miss Sara Russell, a native of Missouri. This union has been blessed with four children.
(Biography provided by Find A Grave contributor Lester Letson)
In 1869 Mr. Cole left his Kentucky home and went to Kansas, taking up a Government claim in Riley County. Owing to the dry seasons, his venture was a losing one, and in 1872 he emigrated to California, landing on Big Dry Creek, Fresno County. Having lost what means he had in Kansas, he arrived in this State with no capital save a willing hand and a determination to succeed. For some time he worked at mining and was variously employed, working by the day. As the years passed by he saved his earnings, and in 1879 purchased 640 acres of land, located ten miles northeast of Fresno, upon which he carried on wheat-farming, also renting additional land and harvesting from 3,000 to 10,000 sacks per year. Mr. Cole has since added to his first purchase and his ranch now numbers 1, 120 acres. He still continues to rent some land, and sows from 1,000 to 1,5000 acres of wheat per year. In the fall and winter of 1884 and 1885 he was five months in plowing, and put out a crop of 1,500 acres. He and his nephew brought the first header and thresher to this valley in 1883, the machine requiring twenty-four horses to run it. During the following year it was in operation eighty-four consecutive days and cut nearly 3,000 acres of wheat. This ranch is now under the direct management of Mr. Cole's eldest son.
In 1886 the subject of our sketch purchased a residence on Blackstone avenue, Fresno, where he has since made his home. At that time he engaged in the real-estate business under the firm name of Vincent, Chittenden & Cole, which, in the spring of 1890, consolidated with Sharp & Gordon, and the firm now carry on an extensive business.
Mr. Cole has been married three times, twice into the Darnold family of Kentucky, each wife leaving one child. In 1882 he was married in Fresno to Miss Sara Russell, a native of Missouri. This union has been blessed with four children.
(Biography provided by Find A Grave contributor Lester Letson)
J. A. Cole, a prominent businessman of Fresno was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, in 1842. In 1859 he moved with his parents to Kentucky, remaining on the farm with his father until 1869. His education was obtained in the common schools of Indiana and at Beach College, Kentucky, he being a graduate of that institution.
In 1869 Mr. Cole left his Kentucky home and went to Kansas, taking up a Government claim in Riley County. Owing to the dry seasons, his venture was a losing one, and in 1872 he emigrated to California, landing on Big Dry Creek, Fresno County. Having lost what means he had in Kansas, he arrived in this State with no capital save a willing hand and a determination to succeed. For some time he worked at mining and was variously employed, working by the day. As the years passed by he saved his earnings, and in 1879 purchased 640 acres of land, located ten miles northeast of Fresno, upon which he carried on wheat-farming, also renting additional land and harvesting from 3,000 to 10,000 sacks per year. Mr. Cole has since added to his first purchase and his ranch now numbers 1, 120 acres. He still continues to rent some land, and sows from 1,000 to 1,5000 acres of wheat per year. In the fall and winter of 1884 and 1885 he was five months in plowing, and put out a crop of 1,500 acres. He and his nephew brought the first header and thresher to this valley in 1883, the machine requiring twenty-four horses to run it. During the following year it was in operation eighty-four consecutive days and cut nearly 3,000 acres of wheat. This ranch is now under the direct management of Mr. Cole's eldest son.
In 1886 the subject of our sketch purchased a residence on Blackstone avenue, Fresno, where he has since made his home. At that time he engaged in the real-estate business under the firm name of Vincent, Chittenden & Cole, which, in the spring of 1890, consolidated with Sharp & Gordon, and the firm now carry on an extensive business.
Mr. Cole has been married three times, twice into the Darnold family of Kentucky, each wife leaving one child. In 1882 he was married in Fresno to Miss Sara Russell, a native of Missouri. This union has been blessed with four children.
(Biography provided by Find A Grave contributor Lester Letson)
In 1869 Mr. Cole left his Kentucky home and went to Kansas, taking up a Government claim in Riley County. Owing to the dry seasons, his venture was a losing one, and in 1872 he emigrated to California, landing on Big Dry Creek, Fresno County. Having lost what means he had in Kansas, he arrived in this State with no capital save a willing hand and a determination to succeed. For some time he worked at mining and was variously employed, working by the day. As the years passed by he saved his earnings, and in 1879 purchased 640 acres of land, located ten miles northeast of Fresno, upon which he carried on wheat-farming, also renting additional land and harvesting from 3,000 to 10,000 sacks per year. Mr. Cole has since added to his first purchase and his ranch now numbers 1, 120 acres. He still continues to rent some land, and sows from 1,000 to 1,5000 acres of wheat per year. In the fall and winter of 1884 and 1885 he was five months in plowing, and put out a crop of 1,500 acres. He and his nephew brought the first header and thresher to this valley in 1883, the machine requiring twenty-four horses to run it. During the following year it was in operation eighty-four consecutive days and cut nearly 3,000 acres of wheat. This ranch is now under the direct management of Mr. Cole's eldest son.
In 1886 the subject of our sketch purchased a residence on Blackstone avenue, Fresno, where he has since made his home. At that time he engaged in the real-estate business under the firm name of Vincent, Chittenden & Cole, which, in the spring of 1890, consolidated with Sharp & Gordon, and the firm now carry on an extensive business.
Mr. Cole has been married three times, twice into the Darnold family of Kentucky, each wife leaving one child. In 1882 he was married in Fresno to Miss Sara Russell, a native of Missouri. This union has been blessed with four children.
(Biography provided by Find A Grave contributor Lester Letson)
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