History of Page County, Iowa by W. L. Kershaw, et al. 2 vols.
S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., Chicago, 1909 p. 374-375
BURTON VORSE COLE
Burton Vorse Cole is one of the substantial and progressive young business men of Shenandoah, where he is secretary and treasurer of the Shenandoah Hosiery mills. His birth occurred in Van Buren county, Michigan, October 25, 1880. His father, Harrison Vorse, was accidentally killed in the Michigan pineries when his son was but six months old and he was adopted by J. L. Cole, of Fremont county, Iowa, who had reared his mother to womanhood. Mr. Cole came to Iowa from Michigan in 1866 and located upon a farm in Fremont county, where he resided until 1880, when he took up his abode in the city of Shenandoah, making it his place of residence until his death in 1894. (*this is incorrect, he died in 1904)
Burt Cole, for so he is known throughout the city and county where he has always resided, was educated in the public schools of Shenandoah and in the Lincoln Business College, of Lincoln, Nebraska, being there graduated with the class of 1901. After the completion of his commercial course he secured a position as bookkeeper with the Barnet Lumber Company, of McCook, Nebraska, there remaining for a year. In the spring of 1902, however, he returned home and went to work upon the farm belonging to his adopted father, continuing its cultivation for five years. In 1907 he came to Shenandoah and entered the drug store of Webster & Company, in which he had owned an interest since 1898. For two years he gave his time to the management of the drug business, having a well appointed establishment to which was accorded a gratifying trade. On the 1st of June, 1909, Mr. Cole sold his drug business and became connected with the Shenandoah Hosiery Mills as above stated.
On the 4th of November, 1902, Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Vena Clarke, a daughter of Christopher Columbus and Martha (Lea) Clarke........ It was while on a visit to her sister, Mrs. Perkins, then living in Shenandoah, Iowa, that she met and married Mr. Cole. Unto them have been born four children, of whom three are living: Richard V., Ross C. and Catherine(sp. Kathryn). The family occupies a pleasant home at No. 120 East Grand avenue. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cole are well known in Shenandoah and their interest in and talent along musical lines has made them popular in homes where a love of music is a characteristic feature.
----------------------------------
*The following is a biography of my great-grandfather based on my many years of research - Michelle Shreve
Burton Vorce was the only son of Stephen Harrison and Kittie Leatha (Nutting) Vorce. His father died in April 1882. The following month he and his mother moved to Shenandoah, Iowa to the home of James Lamb Cole and wife Anna (Hill) Cole. This couple had raised Kittie after her parents divorced, and her mother had trouble supporting so many children with no help from her ex-husband.
By October, his mother had married again, to Frank Parsons. This marriage lasted less than a year. In August 1883, his mother married George Churchill and had three daughters: June, Jessie Mae, and Georgia Anna. For some unknown reason she gave Berton up for adoption in 1890 to James and Anna Cole. It can be surmised that Frank Churchill did not want to raise another man's child. The Cole's only child, a son, had died at an early age and they had come to love Berton when he was staying with them. Berton changed his name to Berton Vorce Cole.
Berton was treated as a treasured son, given the best of everything. He attended the Lincoln Business College. Berton had a beautiful bass singling voice. He enjoyed singing in church and also to entertain at parties. This is how he met wife Vena Bertha Clarke. She was visiting her sister, Edith (Clarke) and Dr. Charles Perkins who lived across the street from the Cole family. Vena also had a beautiful singing voice, and this brought them together. Within a few months, they were married, on November 5, 1902 in the home of Dr. Perkins. They had a total of eight children: Richard Vorce, Forrest (died at birth), Ross C., Kathryn Lea, Clarke Clifford, Helen Marie, Harry James, Virginia Mae. After they were married they moved to the Cole ranch outside of town. They stayed there for five years, then moved to a home in Shenandoah. Berton was involved with several different businesses in town (see above book excerpt).
When James L. Cole died in 1904, Berton inherited all of the great wealth from his adoptive parents and he became a different person. The family had been very affluent with two homes, one in Shenandoah, and the cattle ranch. Berton began gambling, drinking and womanizing, left his wife many times, even when she was pregnant, and she would continue to take him back after each episode. About 1915 he had wiped out all of their wealth and they lost everything. The family left town in disgrace, taking just a few precious items with them. They moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, where daughter Helen was born. In September 1918 Vena's sister and brother-in-law Jessie and Harry Risteen came for a visit. It can be surmised that Harry convinced Berton to move to Williams, Arizona, where the Risteens lived, and Harry could get him a job with the Santa Fe Railroad. Harry had been with them for many years. By the following month, Berton and Vena had moved to Williams, and Berton did get the job with the Santa Fe.
Berton worked at the freight depot in Seligman, Arizona. At first he lived there alone, with Vena and the children staying in Williams. He was living in a converted boxcar. Was there no housing available, or was this all he could afford? In January 1919 Vena was a few months away from giving birth to Harry when she and the children moved in with Berton, reason unknown. Harry was born in that boxcar. In September 1919 Berton quit his job with the Santa Fe and moved his family back to Williams. He had found employment as a bookkeeper with Johnson & McConkey. This only lasted one month, then he was back working for the Santa Fe, but at the freight depot in Williams. At first the family moved into a small bungalow in town, but in October 1922 they bought a small home at the corner of Second and Hancock streets.
Berton and Vena were very much involved with the community. They had joined the Methodist Church. They sang in the choir, and Berton was asked to sing at funerals, with his wonderful bass voice. Their children Richard and Kathryn also inherited their parents talent for singing.
In January 1923 Vena came down with pneumonia all of a sudden. She died in less than a week, leaving seven children. Sister Jessie and her husband, who were now living in Fresno, California, took in the three youngest, Helen, Harry and Virginia. Many trips were made between Fresno and Williams by Berton and the the older children to see their younger siblings. Jessie and Harry did the same, going to Williams with the younger ones.
In October 1923 Berton was transferred to the passenger depot in Williams. Berton continued to support his older children and became more involved in the community. It can be assumed that he had given up, or at least lessened, his alcohol intake. He ran, and was elected, to become a School Trustee in Williams. He was also appointed to the Election Board as a judge. He joined the Rotary Club and spoke at meetings about the problems with the ticket fares on the railroad. He also performed in local minstrel shows, fundraiser programs, sang at the local high school, at church, and at quite a few local musical shows at the Sultana Theater. He was touted as having the best bass voice in that part of Arizona. He was also much in demand to sing at funerals in Williams.
In April 1926 he moved to Texas for three years and was employed with Anderson Brothers Contractors . By 1930 he was in Winslow, Arizona, working for the Santa Fe again. By 1932 Berton was living with daughter Kathryn and her husband in Los Angeles, California. In 1934 he was back in Williams, living on and off with sons Harry and Clarke. Berton had started drinking again, couldn't keep a job for long. He died from complications of a drunken brawl outside of a tavern in Williams.
S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., Chicago, 1909 p. 374-375
BURTON VORSE COLE
Burton Vorse Cole is one of the substantial and progressive young business men of Shenandoah, where he is secretary and treasurer of the Shenandoah Hosiery mills. His birth occurred in Van Buren county, Michigan, October 25, 1880. His father, Harrison Vorse, was accidentally killed in the Michigan pineries when his son was but six months old and he was adopted by J. L. Cole, of Fremont county, Iowa, who had reared his mother to womanhood. Mr. Cole came to Iowa from Michigan in 1866 and located upon a farm in Fremont county, where he resided until 1880, when he took up his abode in the city of Shenandoah, making it his place of residence until his death in 1894. (*this is incorrect, he died in 1904)
Burt Cole, for so he is known throughout the city and county where he has always resided, was educated in the public schools of Shenandoah and in the Lincoln Business College, of Lincoln, Nebraska, being there graduated with the class of 1901. After the completion of his commercial course he secured a position as bookkeeper with the Barnet Lumber Company, of McCook, Nebraska, there remaining for a year. In the spring of 1902, however, he returned home and went to work upon the farm belonging to his adopted father, continuing its cultivation for five years. In 1907 he came to Shenandoah and entered the drug store of Webster & Company, in which he had owned an interest since 1898. For two years he gave his time to the management of the drug business, having a well appointed establishment to which was accorded a gratifying trade. On the 1st of June, 1909, Mr. Cole sold his drug business and became connected with the Shenandoah Hosiery Mills as above stated.
On the 4th of November, 1902, Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Vena Clarke, a daughter of Christopher Columbus and Martha (Lea) Clarke........ It was while on a visit to her sister, Mrs. Perkins, then living in Shenandoah, Iowa, that she met and married Mr. Cole. Unto them have been born four children, of whom three are living: Richard V., Ross C. and Catherine(sp. Kathryn). The family occupies a pleasant home at No. 120 East Grand avenue. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cole are well known in Shenandoah and their interest in and talent along musical lines has made them popular in homes where a love of music is a characteristic feature.
----------------------------------
*The following is a biography of my great-grandfather based on my many years of research - Michelle Shreve
Burton Vorce was the only son of Stephen Harrison and Kittie Leatha (Nutting) Vorce. His father died in April 1882. The following month he and his mother moved to Shenandoah, Iowa to the home of James Lamb Cole and wife Anna (Hill) Cole. This couple had raised Kittie after her parents divorced, and her mother had trouble supporting so many children with no help from her ex-husband.
By October, his mother had married again, to Frank Parsons. This marriage lasted less than a year. In August 1883, his mother married George Churchill and had three daughters: June, Jessie Mae, and Georgia Anna. For some unknown reason she gave Berton up for adoption in 1890 to James and Anna Cole. It can be surmised that Frank Churchill did not want to raise another man's child. The Cole's only child, a son, had died at an early age and they had come to love Berton when he was staying with them. Berton changed his name to Berton Vorce Cole.
Berton was treated as a treasured son, given the best of everything. He attended the Lincoln Business College. Berton had a beautiful bass singling voice. He enjoyed singing in church and also to entertain at parties. This is how he met wife Vena Bertha Clarke. She was visiting her sister, Edith (Clarke) and Dr. Charles Perkins who lived across the street from the Cole family. Vena also had a beautiful singing voice, and this brought them together. Within a few months, they were married, on November 5, 1902 in the home of Dr. Perkins. They had a total of eight children: Richard Vorce, Forrest (died at birth), Ross C., Kathryn Lea, Clarke Clifford, Helen Marie, Harry James, Virginia Mae. After they were married they moved to the Cole ranch outside of town. They stayed there for five years, then moved to a home in Shenandoah. Berton was involved with several different businesses in town (see above book excerpt).
When James L. Cole died in 1904, Berton inherited all of the great wealth from his adoptive parents and he became a different person. The family had been very affluent with two homes, one in Shenandoah, and the cattle ranch. Berton began gambling, drinking and womanizing, left his wife many times, even when she was pregnant, and she would continue to take him back after each episode. About 1915 he had wiped out all of their wealth and they lost everything. The family left town in disgrace, taking just a few precious items with them. They moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, where daughter Helen was born. In September 1918 Vena's sister and brother-in-law Jessie and Harry Risteen came for a visit. It can be surmised that Harry convinced Berton to move to Williams, Arizona, where the Risteens lived, and Harry could get him a job with the Santa Fe Railroad. Harry had been with them for many years. By the following month, Berton and Vena had moved to Williams, and Berton did get the job with the Santa Fe.
Berton worked at the freight depot in Seligman, Arizona. At first he lived there alone, with Vena and the children staying in Williams. He was living in a converted boxcar. Was there no housing available, or was this all he could afford? In January 1919 Vena was a few months away from giving birth to Harry when she and the children moved in with Berton, reason unknown. Harry was born in that boxcar. In September 1919 Berton quit his job with the Santa Fe and moved his family back to Williams. He had found employment as a bookkeeper with Johnson & McConkey. This only lasted one month, then he was back working for the Santa Fe, but at the freight depot in Williams. At first the family moved into a small bungalow in town, but in October 1922 they bought a small home at the corner of Second and Hancock streets.
Berton and Vena were very much involved with the community. They had joined the Methodist Church. They sang in the choir, and Berton was asked to sing at funerals, with his wonderful bass voice. Their children Richard and Kathryn also inherited their parents talent for singing.
In January 1923 Vena came down with pneumonia all of a sudden. She died in less than a week, leaving seven children. Sister Jessie and her husband, who were now living in Fresno, California, took in the three youngest, Helen, Harry and Virginia. Many trips were made between Fresno and Williams by Berton and the the older children to see their younger siblings. Jessie and Harry did the same, going to Williams with the younger ones.
In October 1923 Berton was transferred to the passenger depot in Williams. Berton continued to support his older children and became more involved in the community. It can be assumed that he had given up, or at least lessened, his alcohol intake. He ran, and was elected, to become a School Trustee in Williams. He was also appointed to the Election Board as a judge. He joined the Rotary Club and spoke at meetings about the problems with the ticket fares on the railroad. He also performed in local minstrel shows, fundraiser programs, sang at the local high school, at church, and at quite a few local musical shows at the Sultana Theater. He was touted as having the best bass voice in that part of Arizona. He was also much in demand to sing at funerals in Williams.
In April 1926 he moved to Texas for three years and was employed with Anderson Brothers Contractors . By 1930 he was in Winslow, Arizona, working for the Santa Fe again. By 1932 Berton was living with daughter Kathryn and her husband in Los Angeles, California. In 1934 he was back in Williams, living on and off with sons Harry and Clarke. Berton had started drinking again, couldn't keep a job for long. He died from complications of a drunken brawl outside of a tavern in Williams.
History of Page County, Iowa by W. L. Kershaw, et al. 2 vols.
S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., Chicago, 1909 p. 374-375
BURTON VORSE COLE
Burton Vorse Cole is one of the substantial and progressive young business men of Shenandoah, where he is secretary and treasurer of the Shenandoah Hosiery mills. His birth occurred in Van Buren county, Michigan, October 25, 1880. His father, Harrison Vorse, was accidentally killed in the Michigan pineries when his son was but six months old and he was adopted by J. L. Cole, of Fremont county, Iowa, who had reared his mother to womanhood. Mr. Cole came to Iowa from Michigan in 1866 and located upon a farm in Fremont county, where he resided until 1880, when he took up his abode in the city of Shenandoah, making it his place of residence until his death in 1894. (*this is incorrect, he died in 1904)
Burt Cole, for so he is known throughout the city and county where he has always resided, was educated in the public schools of Shenandoah and in the Lincoln Business College, of Lincoln, Nebraska, being there graduated with the class of 1901. After the completion of his commercial course he secured a position as bookkeeper with the Barnet Lumber Company, of McCook, Nebraska, there remaining for a year. In the spring of 1902, however, he returned home and went to work upon the farm belonging to his adopted father, continuing its cultivation for five years. In 1907 he came to Shenandoah and entered the drug store of Webster & Company, in which he had owned an interest since 1898. For two years he gave his time to the management of the drug business, having a well appointed establishment to which was accorded a gratifying trade. On the 1st of June, 1909, Mr. Cole sold his drug business and became connected with the Shenandoah Hosiery Mills as above stated.
On the 4th of November, 1902, Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Vena Clarke, a daughter of Christopher Columbus and Martha (Lea) Clarke........ It was while on a visit to her sister, Mrs. Perkins, then living in Shenandoah, Iowa, that she met and married Mr. Cole. Unto them have been born four children, of whom three are living: Richard V., Ross C. and Catherine(sp. Kathryn). The family occupies a pleasant home at No. 120 East Grand avenue. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cole are well known in Shenandoah and their interest in and talent along musical lines has made them popular in homes where a love of music is a characteristic feature.
----------------------------------
*The following is a biography of my great-grandfather based on my many years of research - Michelle Shreve
Burton Vorce was the only son of Stephen Harrison and Kittie Leatha (Nutting) Vorce. His father died in April 1882. The following month he and his mother moved to Shenandoah, Iowa to the home of James Lamb Cole and wife Anna (Hill) Cole. This couple had raised Kittie after her parents divorced, and her mother had trouble supporting so many children with no help from her ex-husband.
By October, his mother had married again, to Frank Parsons. This marriage lasted less than a year. In August 1883, his mother married George Churchill and had three daughters: June, Jessie Mae, and Georgia Anna. For some unknown reason she gave Berton up for adoption in 1890 to James and Anna Cole. It can be surmised that Frank Churchill did not want to raise another man's child. The Cole's only child, a son, had died at an early age and they had come to love Berton when he was staying with them. Berton changed his name to Berton Vorce Cole.
Berton was treated as a treasured son, given the best of everything. He attended the Lincoln Business College. Berton had a beautiful bass singling voice. He enjoyed singing in church and also to entertain at parties. This is how he met wife Vena Bertha Clarke. She was visiting her sister, Edith (Clarke) and Dr. Charles Perkins who lived across the street from the Cole family. Vena also had a beautiful singing voice, and this brought them together. Within a few months, they were married, on November 5, 1902 in the home of Dr. Perkins. They had a total of eight children: Richard Vorce, Forrest (died at birth), Ross C., Kathryn Lea, Clarke Clifford, Helen Marie, Harry James, Virginia Mae. After they were married they moved to the Cole ranch outside of town. They stayed there for five years, then moved to a home in Shenandoah. Berton was involved with several different businesses in town (see above book excerpt).
When James L. Cole died in 1904, Berton inherited all of the great wealth from his adoptive parents and he became a different person. The family had been very affluent with two homes, one in Shenandoah, and the cattle ranch. Berton began gambling, drinking and womanizing, left his wife many times, even when she was pregnant, and she would continue to take him back after each episode. About 1915 he had wiped out all of their wealth and they lost everything. The family left town in disgrace, taking just a few precious items with them. They moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, where daughter Helen was born. In September 1918 Vena's sister and brother-in-law Jessie and Harry Risteen came for a visit. It can be surmised that Harry convinced Berton to move to Williams, Arizona, where the Risteens lived, and Harry could get him a job with the Santa Fe Railroad. Harry had been with them for many years. By the following month, Berton and Vena had moved to Williams, and Berton did get the job with the Santa Fe.
Berton worked at the freight depot in Seligman, Arizona. At first he lived there alone, with Vena and the children staying in Williams. He was living in a converted boxcar. Was there no housing available, or was this all he could afford? In January 1919 Vena was a few months away from giving birth to Harry when she and the children moved in with Berton, reason unknown. Harry was born in that boxcar. In September 1919 Berton quit his job with the Santa Fe and moved his family back to Williams. He had found employment as a bookkeeper with Johnson & McConkey. This only lasted one month, then he was back working for the Santa Fe, but at the freight depot in Williams. At first the family moved into a small bungalow in town, but in October 1922 they bought a small home at the corner of Second and Hancock streets.
Berton and Vena were very much involved with the community. They had joined the Methodist Church. They sang in the choir, and Berton was asked to sing at funerals, with his wonderful bass voice. Their children Richard and Kathryn also inherited their parents talent for singing.
In January 1923 Vena came down with pneumonia all of a sudden. She died in less than a week, leaving seven children. Sister Jessie and her husband, who were now living in Fresno, California, took in the three youngest, Helen, Harry and Virginia. Many trips were made between Fresno and Williams by Berton and the the older children to see their younger siblings. Jessie and Harry did the same, going to Williams with the younger ones.
In October 1923 Berton was transferred to the passenger depot in Williams. Berton continued to support his older children and became more involved in the community. It can be assumed that he had given up, or at least lessened, his alcohol intake. He ran, and was elected, to become a School Trustee in Williams. He was also appointed to the Election Board as a judge. He joined the Rotary Club and spoke at meetings about the problems with the ticket fares on the railroad. He also performed in local minstrel shows, fundraiser programs, sang at the local high school, at church, and at quite a few local musical shows at the Sultana Theater. He was touted as having the best bass voice in that part of Arizona. He was also much in demand to sing at funerals in Williams.
In April 1926 he moved to Texas for three years and was employed with Anderson Brothers Contractors . By 1930 he was in Winslow, Arizona, working for the Santa Fe again. By 1932 Berton was living with daughter Kathryn and her husband in Los Angeles, California. In 1934 he was back in Williams, living on and off with sons Harry and Clarke. Berton had started drinking again, couldn't keep a job for long. He died from complications of a drunken brawl outside of a tavern in Williams.
S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., Chicago, 1909 p. 374-375
BURTON VORSE COLE
Burton Vorse Cole is one of the substantial and progressive young business men of Shenandoah, where he is secretary and treasurer of the Shenandoah Hosiery mills. His birth occurred in Van Buren county, Michigan, October 25, 1880. His father, Harrison Vorse, was accidentally killed in the Michigan pineries when his son was but six months old and he was adopted by J. L. Cole, of Fremont county, Iowa, who had reared his mother to womanhood. Mr. Cole came to Iowa from Michigan in 1866 and located upon a farm in Fremont county, where he resided until 1880, when he took up his abode in the city of Shenandoah, making it his place of residence until his death in 1894. (*this is incorrect, he died in 1904)
Burt Cole, for so he is known throughout the city and county where he has always resided, was educated in the public schools of Shenandoah and in the Lincoln Business College, of Lincoln, Nebraska, being there graduated with the class of 1901. After the completion of his commercial course he secured a position as bookkeeper with the Barnet Lumber Company, of McCook, Nebraska, there remaining for a year. In the spring of 1902, however, he returned home and went to work upon the farm belonging to his adopted father, continuing its cultivation for five years. In 1907 he came to Shenandoah and entered the drug store of Webster & Company, in which he had owned an interest since 1898. For two years he gave his time to the management of the drug business, having a well appointed establishment to which was accorded a gratifying trade. On the 1st of June, 1909, Mr. Cole sold his drug business and became connected with the Shenandoah Hosiery Mills as above stated.
On the 4th of November, 1902, Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Vena Clarke, a daughter of Christopher Columbus and Martha (Lea) Clarke........ It was while on a visit to her sister, Mrs. Perkins, then living in Shenandoah, Iowa, that she met and married Mr. Cole. Unto them have been born four children, of whom three are living: Richard V., Ross C. and Catherine(sp. Kathryn). The family occupies a pleasant home at No. 120 East Grand avenue. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cole are well known in Shenandoah and their interest in and talent along musical lines has made them popular in homes where a love of music is a characteristic feature.
----------------------------------
*The following is a biography of my great-grandfather based on my many years of research - Michelle Shreve
Burton Vorce was the only son of Stephen Harrison and Kittie Leatha (Nutting) Vorce. His father died in April 1882. The following month he and his mother moved to Shenandoah, Iowa to the home of James Lamb Cole and wife Anna (Hill) Cole. This couple had raised Kittie after her parents divorced, and her mother had trouble supporting so many children with no help from her ex-husband.
By October, his mother had married again, to Frank Parsons. This marriage lasted less than a year. In August 1883, his mother married George Churchill and had three daughters: June, Jessie Mae, and Georgia Anna. For some unknown reason she gave Berton up for adoption in 1890 to James and Anna Cole. It can be surmised that Frank Churchill did not want to raise another man's child. The Cole's only child, a son, had died at an early age and they had come to love Berton when he was staying with them. Berton changed his name to Berton Vorce Cole.
Berton was treated as a treasured son, given the best of everything. He attended the Lincoln Business College. Berton had a beautiful bass singling voice. He enjoyed singing in church and also to entertain at parties. This is how he met wife Vena Bertha Clarke. She was visiting her sister, Edith (Clarke) and Dr. Charles Perkins who lived across the street from the Cole family. Vena also had a beautiful singing voice, and this brought them together. Within a few months, they were married, on November 5, 1902 in the home of Dr. Perkins. They had a total of eight children: Richard Vorce, Forrest (died at birth), Ross C., Kathryn Lea, Clarke Clifford, Helen Marie, Harry James, Virginia Mae. After they were married they moved to the Cole ranch outside of town. They stayed there for five years, then moved to a home in Shenandoah. Berton was involved with several different businesses in town (see above book excerpt).
When James L. Cole died in 1904, Berton inherited all of the great wealth from his adoptive parents and he became a different person. The family had been very affluent with two homes, one in Shenandoah, and the cattle ranch. Berton began gambling, drinking and womanizing, left his wife many times, even when she was pregnant, and she would continue to take him back after each episode. About 1915 he had wiped out all of their wealth and they lost everything. The family left town in disgrace, taking just a few precious items with them. They moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, where daughter Helen was born. In September 1918 Vena's sister and brother-in-law Jessie and Harry Risteen came for a visit. It can be surmised that Harry convinced Berton to move to Williams, Arizona, where the Risteens lived, and Harry could get him a job with the Santa Fe Railroad. Harry had been with them for many years. By the following month, Berton and Vena had moved to Williams, and Berton did get the job with the Santa Fe.
Berton worked at the freight depot in Seligman, Arizona. At first he lived there alone, with Vena and the children staying in Williams. He was living in a converted boxcar. Was there no housing available, or was this all he could afford? In January 1919 Vena was a few months away from giving birth to Harry when she and the children moved in with Berton, reason unknown. Harry was born in that boxcar. In September 1919 Berton quit his job with the Santa Fe and moved his family back to Williams. He had found employment as a bookkeeper with Johnson & McConkey. This only lasted one month, then he was back working for the Santa Fe, but at the freight depot in Williams. At first the family moved into a small bungalow in town, but in October 1922 they bought a small home at the corner of Second and Hancock streets.
Berton and Vena were very much involved with the community. They had joined the Methodist Church. They sang in the choir, and Berton was asked to sing at funerals, with his wonderful bass voice. Their children Richard and Kathryn also inherited their parents talent for singing.
In January 1923 Vena came down with pneumonia all of a sudden. She died in less than a week, leaving seven children. Sister Jessie and her husband, who were now living in Fresno, California, took in the three youngest, Helen, Harry and Virginia. Many trips were made between Fresno and Williams by Berton and the the older children to see their younger siblings. Jessie and Harry did the same, going to Williams with the younger ones.
In October 1923 Berton was transferred to the passenger depot in Williams. Berton continued to support his older children and became more involved in the community. It can be assumed that he had given up, or at least lessened, his alcohol intake. He ran, and was elected, to become a School Trustee in Williams. He was also appointed to the Election Board as a judge. He joined the Rotary Club and spoke at meetings about the problems with the ticket fares on the railroad. He also performed in local minstrel shows, fundraiser programs, sang at the local high school, at church, and at quite a few local musical shows at the Sultana Theater. He was touted as having the best bass voice in that part of Arizona. He was also much in demand to sing at funerals in Williams.
In April 1926 he moved to Texas for three years and was employed with Anderson Brothers Contractors . By 1930 he was in Winslow, Arizona, working for the Santa Fe again. By 1932 Berton was living with daughter Kathryn and her husband in Los Angeles, California. In 1934 he was back in Williams, living on and off with sons Harry and Clarke. Berton had started drinking again, couldn't keep a job for long. He died from complications of a drunken brawl outside of a tavern in Williams.
Inscription
Father B.V. Cole Died Feb. 21, 1937
Family Members
Siblings
