Thomas M. Cole
Thomas M. Cole was formerly, for some 12 years, a prominent farmer residing in Harlem Township, and his death, which occurred on May 15, 1882, was mourned as a sad lossto that community. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, April 10, 1832, and was a son of Merreen and Sarah (Harris) Cole.
Merreen Cole was born in Maryland September 22, 1800, and was a son of Thomas and Rachael Cole. He was reared in his native state but was a young man when he moved to Ohio, finally settling in Licking County. There he lived and farmed some years after his marriage, afterwards moving to Delaware County. He purchased a tract of 112 acres in Trenton Township, to which he subsequently added, and thereon erected a frame house. He cleared the land and made many improvements and resided there until his death. He was a Democrat in politics.
Thomas M. Cole was five years of age when his parents came to Delaware County, and here he was reared and attended the common schools. He resided with his parents until his marriage, and then for twelve and one-half years lived on the old Cole homestead in Trenton Township. He then moved to Indiana, where he purchased a farm, but about five months later he sold it and returned to Delaware County. In 1870 he purchased the farm on which his widow now resides, consisting of 162 acres, and here carried on operations until his death in 1882, as above noted. He made many improvements on the place, farmed his land successfully, and was classed among the progressive and public-spirited men of Harlem Township. In addition to general farming he dealt quite extensively in stock. Mr. Cole was united in marriage, September 25, 1856, with Miss Harriet D. Leak, who was born in Trenton Township, Delaware County, Ohio, and is a daughter of A. C. and Elizabeth (Ginn) Leak. Her father was born in New Jersey, August 5, 1809, and was a young man when he accompanied his father, John Leak, to Trenton Township, Delaware County, Ohio. John Leak acquired a large farm in Trenton Township, which he largely cleared, and became a man ol considerable local prominence. A. C. Leak was married November 24, 1831, to Elizabeth Ginn, who came of a prominent old Delaware County family, and shortly afterward they began conducting a hotel in connection with farming. They continued in the hotel business throughout the remainder of his life and were widely known throughout this section of the country. Mr. Leak also operated an ashery for many years, marketing his product at Zanesville.
Mrs. Harriet D. Cole, nee Leak, was reared in Trenton Township, and received as good an education as the schools of that period afforded. As a result of her marriage with Mr. Cole, the following children were born: Ervin M., October 3, 1857; Ella D., July 18, 1860; William M., April 10, 1862; Edson P., .March 6, 1864: Milton D., deceased December 24, 1902, born February 8, 1866; Charles E., born July 25, 1868, died December 20, 1901; one who died in infancy; Alta M., born May 13, 1877; and Mary E., born July 26, 1881, deceased November 5, 1881. All of the children were born in Delaware County.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908