E. H. Cole was born in Lorain county, Ohio, December 18, 1829. His father, Joseph Cole, was a native of New York, and his mother was born in Pennsylvania; Leonard Cole, his grandfather, was a, native of New Jersey, and was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, also in the War of 1812, and died in Ohio -at the good old age of 105 years. Mr. Cole was reared upon a farm, and bas ever since made that his principal business. In September, 1852, he left Ohio mid settled in Cedar county, Iowa, where he lived until March, 1874, when he came to this county.
Mr. Cole was united in marriage, June 7, 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Eastlack, of Linn county, Iowa. She was born in Clinton county, Ohio, October 17, 1837. By this union they have seven children: Lina M., born July 30, 1858; Annie R., born June 24, 1860; John W., born December 6, 1864; Frank S., born April 16, 1866; Jennie A., born September 24, 1871; and Louella, born November 1, 1878.