(NOTE: Oliver W. Cole probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Oliver, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Then, Oliver W. Cole survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Oliver probably had his picture taken dozens of times, if not hundreds of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of his CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private OLIVER W. COLE, Co. H, 86th Illinois
Oliver W. Cole was born c. December 13, 1839 in Fulton County, Illinois, one of at least four children born to __________ Cole, who was born in Kentucky or in Tennessee, and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole, who was born in Kentucky. The only Cole family in Fulton County, Illinois at the time of the 1840 census is headed by William C. Cole.
Several pedigree charts on familysearch list Elizabeth Sallee as having been born on October 8, 1816/18 in Mercer County, Kentucky. According to those charts, she was the daughter of James Sallee, who was born c. 1786 in Virginia and who died on September 6, 1856 in or near Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, and Mary "Polly" (Hornbeck) Sallee, who was born c. 1793/96 in Kentucky and who died on February 4, 1864 in or near Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois.
One of those pedigree charts also states that Elizabeth was first married to a Hugh Cole, who died c. 1843, and then later to a Harlow Searle in 1844. No information in Illinois State records can be found on the Cole/Sallee marriage, but, Illinois State Records do tell us that Mrs. Elizabeth Cole was married to Harlow Searl, who was born in Vermont c. 18__, on May 2, 1844 in Bureau County, Illinois. So we know that Mr. Cole, whether it was Hugh Cole or William C. Cole, was deceased before 1844.
One site on the internet lists Hugh Cole as having been born on October 31, 1814 in Cumberland County, Kentucky, the son of Samuel Cole and Mary (Brown) Cole. This information, which apparently comes from a Descendants of Hugh Cole and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole, Michelle Cole McClaren James, states that Samuel Cole was born on January 23, 1776 in Washington County, Virginia (now Tennessee), the son of Sampson Cole (1755) and Keziah Cole (1750). It furthers states that Hugh Cole married Elizabeth Sallee on April 15, 1835 in Putnam County, Illinois.
Family lore has Elizabeth portrayed as a feisty pioneer woman. One story holds that she was alone on the homestead one night, and she went out to fetch some firewood. A pack of wolves surrounded her, and she defended herself by throwing logs at them this way and that. She ended up spending a cold night in the cabin instead of going out for more wood. The children of Mr. Cole and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole include;
1. Samuel Cole, born c. 1835/36 in Illinois; Samuel is believed to be the Samuel W. Cole, who served as a Corporal in Co. A of the 47th Illinois during the Civil War. Samuel W. Cole is listed as being 25 years of age when he enlisted on August 16, 1861, was residing in Timber Township of Peoria County, Illinois at the time he enlisted and is listed as having been born in Bureau County, Illinois. His tombstone states that he was born on Jan. 19, 1836 and died on Apr. 25, 1911 and his mortal remains were laid in the Highland Cemetery in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Sameul W. Cole was married to Mary E. Keller on December 21, 1865 in Peoria County, Illinois. Mary E. Kellar is very likely the daughter of John R. Keller and Keziah (_________) Keller, who are found in Millbrook Township of Peoria County at the time of the 1860 census;
Keller John R. 43 M farmer 7,200 1,141 VA
Keller Keziah D. 38 F VA
Keller Mary E. 16 F VA
Keller Almira J. 13 F VA
Keller Rachel D. 10 F VA
Keller Eliza A. 7 F VA
Keller Catherine F. 2 F IL
2. Phoebe Cole, born c. 1837/38 in Illinois. There is a record of a Phoebe A. Cole being married to a John J. Moulding on December 20, 1858 in Kane County, Illinois. Is this our Phoebe Cole? Phoebe is believed to have died c. 1906.
3. Oliver W. Cole, born c. 1839/40 in Illinois; See his biography below.
4. Sarah June Cole, born c. 1841/42 in Illinois. Sarah is believed to have died c. 1880.
After Mr. Cole's death, as stated above, Mrs. Elizabeth Cole was married to Harlow Searl/Searles on May 2, 1844 in Bureau County, Illinois. Two children were born to Harlow Searl and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searles. They include;
1. Mary/Maria Louisa Searles, born March 29, 1848 in Bureau County, Illinois. Mary L. Searl/Searles was married to Clarence D. Wiggins on February 16, 1871 in Peoria County, Illinois. Clarence was born c. 1845/46 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, Mary, listed here as Mariah, and her family are found in Monica Township, Peoria County, Illinois, where Clarence is working as a Teamster;
Clarence Wiggins Self M 34 Illinois
Mariah L Wiggins Wife F 32 Illinois
Charles Wiggins Son M 8 Illinois
Edwin Wiggins Son M 7 Illinois
Alva I Wiggins Son M 4 Illinois
Ethel Wiggins Daughter F 2 Illinois
Louisa Maria (Searles) Wiggins died on 9 May 1921 in Goff, Nemaha County, Kansas and her mortal remains were laid in the Fairview Cemetery in Goff, Nemaha County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #60748846.
2. James Luther Searl, who according to his death record in Illinois State Records was born on October 10, 1850 in Durand, Winnebago County, Illinois and died on June 5, 1930 in East Nelson, Moultrie County, Illinois. James was a Real Estate Agent according to his death record and was a resident of the Illinois Masonic Home Hospital. James L. Searl was married to Angeline B. Kaighin on April 27, 1876 in Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery in Princeville, Illinois.
At the time of the 1850 census on September 6, 1850, the combined Cole/Searl family is found in Princeton, Bureau, Illinois;
Harlow Searle M 49 Cooper 360 New Jersey
Elizabeth Searle F 33 Kentucky
Samuel Cole M 14 Illinois
Phebe Cole F 12 Illinois
Oliver P Cole M 10 Illinois
Sarah J Cole F 8 Illinois
Mary I. Searle F 2 Illinois
Harlow Searl and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searl may have divorced sometime between 1850 and 1860. At the time of the 1860 census, this is the Cole/Searle family as they appear in The City Of Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Elizabeth Score F 43 Kentucky
Saml Cole M 24 Illinois
Olmer Cole M 19 Illinois
Sarah J Cole F 17 Illinois
Mary Cole F 12 Illinois
James Cole M 9 Illinois
In 1910, Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searle moved in with her son in Precinct E, Seward County, Nebraska;
Self O W Cole M 70y Illinois
wife Martha J Cole F 70y Ohio
moth Elizabeth Cole F 93y Kentucky
Mrs. Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searle died shortly after this census was taken. Her tombstone records that she was born on October 8, 1818 and died on June 12, 1910. Her mortal remains were laid in the Utica Cemetery in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska.
Now to continue with the biography of Oliver W. Cole;
In August of 1862, Peorian David W. Magee, a veteran of the Mexican War, began recruiting a Peoria area company to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. On August 6, 1862, Magee was recruiting in Logan Township of Peoria County, Illinois in the Hanna City area and Oliver W. Cole volunteered to serve in this Peoria area company.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name COLE, OLIVER W Rank PVT
Company H Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LOGAN, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 22 Height 5' 7 Hair LIGHT Eyes HAZEL
Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE
Occupation FARMER Nativity FULTON CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 6, 1862
Joined Where LOGAN, IL
Joined By Whom D H MAGEE
Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _________
Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC
Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGG
When Magee had about 100 volunteers he and the men of his company went into camp at Camp Lyons, located near present day Glen Oak Park. Most likely because of his previous military experience, David W. Magee was elected to serve as the first Lieutenant Colonel of the 86th Illinois. The men of the Peoria area company, then elected John C. Hall to serve as their Captain. On August 27, 1862, Captain John C. Hall, Private Oliver W. Cole and 87 of the other Peoria area volunteers were mustered into service as Company H of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, which had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together at the depot, the men of the 85th and 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, located at Jeffersonville, Indiana, across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th and 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next three years.
During the next three years, Private Oliver W. Cole would serve faithfully in Co. H as the men of the 86th served in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Oliver was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averysboro, North Carolina; and Bentonville, North Carolina, to name a few and would march with Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington, D.C., where in May they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. On June 6, 1865, Private Oliver W. Cole was there with the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they were mustered out of service at Washington, D.C. They then were sent by train to Chicago, Illinois where they received their final pay and were discharged. By the end of June of 1865, most of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois where back home with their families in Central Illinois.
Oliver W. Cole was married to Martha J. Bloom on May 24, 1866 in Bureau County, Illinois. Martha J. Bloom was born on Dec. 12, 1839 in Ohio. Martha was almost certainly the daughter of Peter Bloom and Jane (__________) Bloom.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Bloom family is found in Indiantown, Bureau County, Illinois;
Peter Bloom M 45 New Jersey
Jane Bloom F 47 Virginia
Sarah R Bloom F 18 Ohio
William H Bloom M 16 Ohio
Martha J Bloom F 10 Ohio
James Bloom M 8 Ohio
Frances L Bloom F 4 Illinois
Elizabeth Tompkins F 22 Ohio
Emeline Tompkins F 3 Illinois
Mary E Tompkins F 2 Illinois
John Mayville M 39 Virginia
Findley T Wilson M 16 Ohio
Four children are known to have been born to Oliver and Martha. They are;
1. Edward Cole, born c. 1867 in Illinois; may have died before 1880 as he is not listed with the family in 1880.
2. Byron M. Cole, born Jul. 16, 1870 in Illinois; died Aug. 5, 1925; buried in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, Section B; Row 6
3. Edna M. Cole, born ___________ __, 1873 in Nebraska; Edna was married to Albert _. Virgin in 189__; Edna died on ___________ __, 1948 and her mortal remains were laid in Section B, Row 9 of the Utica Cemetery in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska.
4. Henry R. Cole, born Jun. 21, 1877 in Nebraska; died May 22, 1907; buried in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska. Henry was married to Nellie A. Mathews on January 1, 1903. Nellie was born on August 26, 1880 and died on August 18, 1956. Henry and Nellie were the parents of;
A. Vernon Angus Cole, born c. 1903
B. Ralph Therion Cole 06 Oct 1905 - 01 May 1981
C. Rachel Irene Cole, born c. 1908. Rachel was married to ____________ Brunton.
Now to continue with the biography of Oliver W. Cole and his family;
At the time of the 1870 census, the Cole family is found in Indiantown Township, Bureau County, Illinois;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Oliver Cole M 30y Illinois
Martha Cole F 30y Ohio
Edward Cole M 3y Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, Oliver and his family are found in name York County, Nebraska.
self Oliver W. Cole M 40 Illinois
wife Martha J. Cole F 40 Ohio
son Byron M. Cole M 9 Illinois
daughter Edna A. Cole F 5 Nebraska
son Henry R. Cole M 2 Nebraska
In the 1885 Nebraska census, this is the way the family appears in Morton, York County, Nebraska;
Head O W Cole M 45
Wife Martha Cole F 45
Son Byron Cole M 14
Daughter Edna Cole F 10
Son Henry Cole M 7
In 1900, the Cole family is found in the Village of Gresham, Stewart Township, York County, Nebraska;
Oliver W. Cole, December 1839, Illinois M 61
Martha J. Cole, December 1839, Ohio F 61
In 1910, the Cole family is found in Precinct E, Seward County, Nebraska;
self O W Cole M 70y Illinois
wife Martha J Cole F 70y Ohio
moth Elizabeth Cole F 93y Kentucky
Martha J. Cole died on Jan. 3, 1913 and her earthly remains were laid in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, Section B; Row 6.
At the time of the 1920 census, Oliver W. Cole is found residing with his daughter and son-in-law Township E, Seward County, Nebraska. He is listed as widowed. His father and mother are listed as having been born in Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively;
Head Albert Virgin M 52 Iowa
Wife Edna Virgin F 45 Nebraska
Daughter Fay Virgin F 11 Nebraska
Father-in-law Oliver W Cole M 80 Illinois
Private Oliver W. Cole died on May 24, 1923 in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska. The May 31, 1923 edition of the UTICA SUN newspaper, of Utica, Nebraska carried the following obituary;
"A PIONEER PASSES
Veteran of the Civil War Mustered out Last Thursday After Long Illness
After a long torturing period of illness, the venerable Oliver W. Cole passed away at his home in this city Thursday of last week, at the very advanced age of eighty-three years, five months and eleven days. His funeral was held with military honors on Sunday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Thomas Hollingsworth, of Thayer, a former pastor, conducting the services. The obsequies were largely attended. Military bodies having part were the G. A. R., Spanish-American and World War veterans. The color bearer was Joe Ran, and the color guards were L. B. Neff and Oscar Cross. The only remaining veteran of the Civil war Henry Langenheim also bore a flag.
Oliver W. Cole was born in Fulton county, Illinois, December 18, 1939. He enlisted in Co. H, Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, August 27, 1862, and served until the close of the war.
On May 24, 1866 he married Martha J. Bloom. To this union were born four children - three sons and one daughter. His wife and two sons preceded him to the other world.
Mr. Cole came to Nebraska in 1872, and homesteaded near Benedict, York county, Nebraska, in which county he made his home until moving to Utica, and where he made his home until the time of his death. He was converted and joined the United Breathren church in 1894 at Blue Ridge, near Gresham. He was a good and loving husband and father, and through all of his illness was a patient sufferer. He leaves to mourn his loss, one son, B. M. Cole of Wray Colo., and Mrs. Al Virgin, of Utica, Six grandchildren also survive."
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Cole family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Oliver W. Cole and the Cole family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Oliver W. Cole, which may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
Then, Oliver W. Cole survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Oliver probably had his picture taken dozens of times, if not hundreds of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of his CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private OLIVER W. COLE, Co. H, 86th Illinois
Oliver W. Cole was born c. December 13, 1839 in Fulton County, Illinois, one of at least four children born to __________ Cole, who was born in Kentucky or in Tennessee, and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole, who was born in Kentucky. The only Cole family in Fulton County, Illinois at the time of the 1840 census is headed by William C. Cole.
Several pedigree charts on familysearch list Elizabeth Sallee as having been born on October 8, 1816/18 in Mercer County, Kentucky. According to those charts, she was the daughter of James Sallee, who was born c. 1786 in Virginia and who died on September 6, 1856 in or near Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, and Mary "Polly" (Hornbeck) Sallee, who was born c. 1793/96 in Kentucky and who died on February 4, 1864 in or near Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois.
One of those pedigree charts also states that Elizabeth was first married to a Hugh Cole, who died c. 1843, and then later to a Harlow Searle in 1844. No information in Illinois State records can be found on the Cole/Sallee marriage, but, Illinois State Records do tell us that Mrs. Elizabeth Cole was married to Harlow Searl, who was born in Vermont c. 18__, on May 2, 1844 in Bureau County, Illinois. So we know that Mr. Cole, whether it was Hugh Cole or William C. Cole, was deceased before 1844.
One site on the internet lists Hugh Cole as having been born on October 31, 1814 in Cumberland County, Kentucky, the son of Samuel Cole and Mary (Brown) Cole. This information, which apparently comes from a Descendants of Hugh Cole and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole, Michelle Cole McClaren James, states that Samuel Cole was born on January 23, 1776 in Washington County, Virginia (now Tennessee), the son of Sampson Cole (1755) and Keziah Cole (1750). It furthers states that Hugh Cole married Elizabeth Sallee on April 15, 1835 in Putnam County, Illinois.
Family lore has Elizabeth portrayed as a feisty pioneer woman. One story holds that she was alone on the homestead one night, and she went out to fetch some firewood. A pack of wolves surrounded her, and she defended herself by throwing logs at them this way and that. She ended up spending a cold night in the cabin instead of going out for more wood. The children of Mr. Cole and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole include;
1. Samuel Cole, born c. 1835/36 in Illinois; Samuel is believed to be the Samuel W. Cole, who served as a Corporal in Co. A of the 47th Illinois during the Civil War. Samuel W. Cole is listed as being 25 years of age when he enlisted on August 16, 1861, was residing in Timber Township of Peoria County, Illinois at the time he enlisted and is listed as having been born in Bureau County, Illinois. His tombstone states that he was born on Jan. 19, 1836 and died on Apr. 25, 1911 and his mortal remains were laid in the Highland Cemetery in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Sameul W. Cole was married to Mary E. Keller on December 21, 1865 in Peoria County, Illinois. Mary E. Kellar is very likely the daughter of John R. Keller and Keziah (_________) Keller, who are found in Millbrook Township of Peoria County at the time of the 1860 census;
Keller John R. 43 M farmer 7,200 1,141 VA
Keller Keziah D. 38 F VA
Keller Mary E. 16 F VA
Keller Almira J. 13 F VA
Keller Rachel D. 10 F VA
Keller Eliza A. 7 F VA
Keller Catherine F. 2 F IL
2. Phoebe Cole, born c. 1837/38 in Illinois. There is a record of a Phoebe A. Cole being married to a John J. Moulding on December 20, 1858 in Kane County, Illinois. Is this our Phoebe Cole? Phoebe is believed to have died c. 1906.
3. Oliver W. Cole, born c. 1839/40 in Illinois; See his biography below.
4. Sarah June Cole, born c. 1841/42 in Illinois. Sarah is believed to have died c. 1880.
After Mr. Cole's death, as stated above, Mrs. Elizabeth Cole was married to Harlow Searl/Searles on May 2, 1844 in Bureau County, Illinois. Two children were born to Harlow Searl and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searles. They include;
1. Mary/Maria Louisa Searles, born March 29, 1848 in Bureau County, Illinois. Mary L. Searl/Searles was married to Clarence D. Wiggins on February 16, 1871 in Peoria County, Illinois. Clarence was born c. 1845/46 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, Mary, listed here as Mariah, and her family are found in Monica Township, Peoria County, Illinois, where Clarence is working as a Teamster;
Clarence Wiggins Self M 34 Illinois
Mariah L Wiggins Wife F 32 Illinois
Charles Wiggins Son M 8 Illinois
Edwin Wiggins Son M 7 Illinois
Alva I Wiggins Son M 4 Illinois
Ethel Wiggins Daughter F 2 Illinois
Louisa Maria (Searles) Wiggins died on 9 May 1921 in Goff, Nemaha County, Kansas and her mortal remains were laid in the Fairview Cemetery in Goff, Nemaha County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #60748846.
2. James Luther Searl, who according to his death record in Illinois State Records was born on October 10, 1850 in Durand, Winnebago County, Illinois and died on June 5, 1930 in East Nelson, Moultrie County, Illinois. James was a Real Estate Agent according to his death record and was a resident of the Illinois Masonic Home Hospital. James L. Searl was married to Angeline B. Kaighin on April 27, 1876 in Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery in Princeville, Illinois.
At the time of the 1850 census on September 6, 1850, the combined Cole/Searl family is found in Princeton, Bureau, Illinois;
Harlow Searle M 49 Cooper 360 New Jersey
Elizabeth Searle F 33 Kentucky
Samuel Cole M 14 Illinois
Phebe Cole F 12 Illinois
Oliver P Cole M 10 Illinois
Sarah J Cole F 8 Illinois
Mary I. Searle F 2 Illinois
Harlow Searl and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searl may have divorced sometime between 1850 and 1860. At the time of the 1860 census, this is the Cole/Searle family as they appear in The City Of Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Elizabeth Score F 43 Kentucky
Saml Cole M 24 Illinois
Olmer Cole M 19 Illinois
Sarah J Cole F 17 Illinois
Mary Cole F 12 Illinois
James Cole M 9 Illinois
In 1910, Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searle moved in with her son in Precinct E, Seward County, Nebraska;
Self O W Cole M 70y Illinois
wife Martha J Cole F 70y Ohio
moth Elizabeth Cole F 93y Kentucky
Mrs. Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searle died shortly after this census was taken. Her tombstone records that she was born on October 8, 1818 and died on June 12, 1910. Her mortal remains were laid in the Utica Cemetery in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska.
Now to continue with the biography of Oliver W. Cole;
In August of 1862, Peorian David W. Magee, a veteran of the Mexican War, began recruiting a Peoria area company to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. On August 6, 1862, Magee was recruiting in Logan Township of Peoria County, Illinois in the Hanna City area and Oliver W. Cole volunteered to serve in this Peoria area company.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name COLE, OLIVER W Rank PVT
Company H Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LOGAN, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 22 Height 5' 7 Hair LIGHT Eyes HAZEL
Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE
Occupation FARMER Nativity FULTON CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 6, 1862
Joined Where LOGAN, IL
Joined By Whom D H MAGEE
Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _________
Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC
Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGG
When Magee had about 100 volunteers he and the men of his company went into camp at Camp Lyons, located near present day Glen Oak Park. Most likely because of his previous military experience, David W. Magee was elected to serve as the first Lieutenant Colonel of the 86th Illinois. The men of the Peoria area company, then elected John C. Hall to serve as their Captain. On August 27, 1862, Captain John C. Hall, Private Oliver W. Cole and 87 of the other Peoria area volunteers were mustered into service as Company H of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, which had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together at the depot, the men of the 85th and 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, located at Jeffersonville, Indiana, across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th and 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next three years.
During the next three years, Private Oliver W. Cole would serve faithfully in Co. H as the men of the 86th served in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Oliver was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averysboro, North Carolina; and Bentonville, North Carolina, to name a few and would march with Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington, D.C., where in May they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. On June 6, 1865, Private Oliver W. Cole was there with the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they were mustered out of service at Washington, D.C. They then were sent by train to Chicago, Illinois where they received their final pay and were discharged. By the end of June of 1865, most of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois where back home with their families in Central Illinois.
Oliver W. Cole was married to Martha J. Bloom on May 24, 1866 in Bureau County, Illinois. Martha J. Bloom was born on Dec. 12, 1839 in Ohio. Martha was almost certainly the daughter of Peter Bloom and Jane (__________) Bloom.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Bloom family is found in Indiantown, Bureau County, Illinois;
Peter Bloom M 45 New Jersey
Jane Bloom F 47 Virginia
Sarah R Bloom F 18 Ohio
William H Bloom M 16 Ohio
Martha J Bloom F 10 Ohio
James Bloom M 8 Ohio
Frances L Bloom F 4 Illinois
Elizabeth Tompkins F 22 Ohio
Emeline Tompkins F 3 Illinois
Mary E Tompkins F 2 Illinois
John Mayville M 39 Virginia
Findley T Wilson M 16 Ohio
Four children are known to have been born to Oliver and Martha. They are;
1. Edward Cole, born c. 1867 in Illinois; may have died before 1880 as he is not listed with the family in 1880.
2. Byron M. Cole, born Jul. 16, 1870 in Illinois; died Aug. 5, 1925; buried in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, Section B; Row 6
3. Edna M. Cole, born ___________ __, 1873 in Nebraska; Edna was married to Albert _. Virgin in 189__; Edna died on ___________ __, 1948 and her mortal remains were laid in Section B, Row 9 of the Utica Cemetery in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska.
4. Henry R. Cole, born Jun. 21, 1877 in Nebraska; died May 22, 1907; buried in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska. Henry was married to Nellie A. Mathews on January 1, 1903. Nellie was born on August 26, 1880 and died on August 18, 1956. Henry and Nellie were the parents of;
A. Vernon Angus Cole, born c. 1903
B. Ralph Therion Cole 06 Oct 1905 - 01 May 1981
C. Rachel Irene Cole, born c. 1908. Rachel was married to ____________ Brunton.
Now to continue with the biography of Oliver W. Cole and his family;
At the time of the 1870 census, the Cole family is found in Indiantown Township, Bureau County, Illinois;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Oliver Cole M 30y Illinois
Martha Cole F 30y Ohio
Edward Cole M 3y Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, Oliver and his family are found in name York County, Nebraska.
self Oliver W. Cole M 40 Illinois
wife Martha J. Cole F 40 Ohio
son Byron M. Cole M 9 Illinois
daughter Edna A. Cole F 5 Nebraska
son Henry R. Cole M 2 Nebraska
In the 1885 Nebraska census, this is the way the family appears in Morton, York County, Nebraska;
Head O W Cole M 45
Wife Martha Cole F 45
Son Byron Cole M 14
Daughter Edna Cole F 10
Son Henry Cole M 7
In 1900, the Cole family is found in the Village of Gresham, Stewart Township, York County, Nebraska;
Oliver W. Cole, December 1839, Illinois M 61
Martha J. Cole, December 1839, Ohio F 61
In 1910, the Cole family is found in Precinct E, Seward County, Nebraska;
self O W Cole M 70y Illinois
wife Martha J Cole F 70y Ohio
moth Elizabeth Cole F 93y Kentucky
Martha J. Cole died on Jan. 3, 1913 and her earthly remains were laid in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, Section B; Row 6.
At the time of the 1920 census, Oliver W. Cole is found residing with his daughter and son-in-law Township E, Seward County, Nebraska. He is listed as widowed. His father and mother are listed as having been born in Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively;
Head Albert Virgin M 52 Iowa
Wife Edna Virgin F 45 Nebraska
Daughter Fay Virgin F 11 Nebraska
Father-in-law Oliver W Cole M 80 Illinois
Private Oliver W. Cole died on May 24, 1923 in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska. The May 31, 1923 edition of the UTICA SUN newspaper, of Utica, Nebraska carried the following obituary;
"A PIONEER PASSES
Veteran of the Civil War Mustered out Last Thursday After Long Illness
After a long torturing period of illness, the venerable Oliver W. Cole passed away at his home in this city Thursday of last week, at the very advanced age of eighty-three years, five months and eleven days. His funeral was held with military honors on Sunday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Thomas Hollingsworth, of Thayer, a former pastor, conducting the services. The obsequies were largely attended. Military bodies having part were the G. A. R., Spanish-American and World War veterans. The color bearer was Joe Ran, and the color guards were L. B. Neff and Oscar Cross. The only remaining veteran of the Civil war Henry Langenheim also bore a flag.
Oliver W. Cole was born in Fulton county, Illinois, December 18, 1939. He enlisted in Co. H, Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, August 27, 1862, and served until the close of the war.
On May 24, 1866 he married Martha J. Bloom. To this union were born four children - three sons and one daughter. His wife and two sons preceded him to the other world.
Mr. Cole came to Nebraska in 1872, and homesteaded near Benedict, York county, Nebraska, in which county he made his home until moving to Utica, and where he made his home until the time of his death. He was converted and joined the United Breathren church in 1894 at Blue Ridge, near Gresham. He was a good and loving husband and father, and through all of his illness was a patient sufferer. He leaves to mourn his loss, one son, B. M. Cole of Wray Colo., and Mrs. Al Virgin, of Utica, Six grandchildren also survive."
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Cole family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Oliver W. Cole and the Cole family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Oliver W. Cole, which may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
(NOTE: Oliver W. Cole probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Oliver, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Then, Oliver W. Cole survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Oliver probably had his picture taken dozens of times, if not hundreds of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of his CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private OLIVER W. COLE, Co. H, 86th Illinois
Oliver W. Cole was born c. December 13, 1839 in Fulton County, Illinois, one of at least four children born to __________ Cole, who was born in Kentucky or in Tennessee, and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole, who was born in Kentucky. The only Cole family in Fulton County, Illinois at the time of the 1840 census is headed by William C. Cole.
Several pedigree charts on familysearch list Elizabeth Sallee as having been born on October 8, 1816/18 in Mercer County, Kentucky. According to those charts, she was the daughter of James Sallee, who was born c. 1786 in Virginia and who died on September 6, 1856 in or near Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, and Mary "Polly" (Hornbeck) Sallee, who was born c. 1793/96 in Kentucky and who died on February 4, 1864 in or near Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois.
One of those pedigree charts also states that Elizabeth was first married to a Hugh Cole, who died c. 1843, and then later to a Harlow Searle in 1844. No information in Illinois State records can be found on the Cole/Sallee marriage, but, Illinois State Records do tell us that Mrs. Elizabeth Cole was married to Harlow Searl, who was born in Vermont c. 18__, on May 2, 1844 in Bureau County, Illinois. So we know that Mr. Cole, whether it was Hugh Cole or William C. Cole, was deceased before 1844.
One site on the internet lists Hugh Cole as having been born on October 31, 1814 in Cumberland County, Kentucky, the son of Samuel Cole and Mary (Brown) Cole. This information, which apparently comes from a Descendants of Hugh Cole and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole, Michelle Cole McClaren James, states that Samuel Cole was born on January 23, 1776 in Washington County, Virginia (now Tennessee), the son of Sampson Cole (1755) and Keziah Cole (1750). It furthers states that Hugh Cole married Elizabeth Sallee on April 15, 1835 in Putnam County, Illinois.
Family lore has Elizabeth portrayed as a feisty pioneer woman. One story holds that she was alone on the homestead one night, and she went out to fetch some firewood. A pack of wolves surrounded her, and she defended herself by throwing logs at them this way and that. She ended up spending a cold night in the cabin instead of going out for more wood. The children of Mr. Cole and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole include;
1. Samuel Cole, born c. 1835/36 in Illinois; Samuel is believed to be the Samuel W. Cole, who served as a Corporal in Co. A of the 47th Illinois during the Civil War. Samuel W. Cole is listed as being 25 years of age when he enlisted on August 16, 1861, was residing in Timber Township of Peoria County, Illinois at the time he enlisted and is listed as having been born in Bureau County, Illinois. His tombstone states that he was born on Jan. 19, 1836 and died on Apr. 25, 1911 and his mortal remains were laid in the Highland Cemetery in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Sameul W. Cole was married to Mary E. Keller on December 21, 1865 in Peoria County, Illinois. Mary E. Kellar is very likely the daughter of John R. Keller and Keziah (_________) Keller, who are found in Millbrook Township of Peoria County at the time of the 1860 census;
Keller John R. 43 M farmer 7,200 1,141 VA
Keller Keziah D. 38 F VA
Keller Mary E. 16 F VA
Keller Almira J. 13 F VA
Keller Rachel D. 10 F VA
Keller Eliza A. 7 F VA
Keller Catherine F. 2 F IL
2. Phoebe Cole, born c. 1837/38 in Illinois. There is a record of a Phoebe A. Cole being married to a John J. Moulding on December 20, 1858 in Kane County, Illinois. Is this our Phoebe Cole? Phoebe is believed to have died c. 1906.
3. Oliver W. Cole, born c. 1839/40 in Illinois; See his biography below.
4. Sarah June Cole, born c. 1841/42 in Illinois. Sarah is believed to have died c. 1880.
After Mr. Cole's death, as stated above, Mrs. Elizabeth Cole was married to Harlow Searl/Searles on May 2, 1844 in Bureau County, Illinois. Two children were born to Harlow Searl and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searles. They include;
1. Mary/Maria Louisa Searles, born March 29, 1848 in Bureau County, Illinois. Mary L. Searl/Searles was married to Clarence D. Wiggins on February 16, 1871 in Peoria County, Illinois. Clarence was born c. 1845/46 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, Mary, listed here as Mariah, and her family are found in Monica Township, Peoria County, Illinois, where Clarence is working as a Teamster;
Clarence Wiggins Self M 34 Illinois
Mariah L Wiggins Wife F 32 Illinois
Charles Wiggins Son M 8 Illinois
Edwin Wiggins Son M 7 Illinois
Alva I Wiggins Son M 4 Illinois
Ethel Wiggins Daughter F 2 Illinois
Louisa Maria (Searles) Wiggins died on 9 May 1921 in Goff, Nemaha County, Kansas and her mortal remains were laid in the Fairview Cemetery in Goff, Nemaha County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #60748846.
2. James Luther Searl, who according to his death record in Illinois State Records was born on October 10, 1850 in Durand, Winnebago County, Illinois and died on June 5, 1930 in East Nelson, Moultrie County, Illinois. James was a Real Estate Agent according to his death record and was a resident of the Illinois Masonic Home Hospital. James L. Searl was married to Angeline B. Kaighin on April 27, 1876 in Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery in Princeville, Illinois.
At the time of the 1850 census on September 6, 1850, the combined Cole/Searl family is found in Princeton, Bureau, Illinois;
Harlow Searle M 49 Cooper 360 New Jersey
Elizabeth Searle F 33 Kentucky
Samuel Cole M 14 Illinois
Phebe Cole F 12 Illinois
Oliver P Cole M 10 Illinois
Sarah J Cole F 8 Illinois
Mary I. Searle F 2 Illinois
Harlow Searl and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searl may have divorced sometime between 1850 and 1860. At the time of the 1860 census, this is the Cole/Searle family as they appear in The City Of Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Elizabeth Score F 43 Kentucky
Saml Cole M 24 Illinois
Olmer Cole M 19 Illinois
Sarah J Cole F 17 Illinois
Mary Cole F 12 Illinois
James Cole M 9 Illinois
In 1910, Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searle moved in with her son in Precinct E, Seward County, Nebraska;
Self O W Cole M 70y Illinois
wife Martha J Cole F 70y Ohio
moth Elizabeth Cole F 93y Kentucky
Mrs. Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searle died shortly after this census was taken. Her tombstone records that she was born on October 8, 1818 and died on June 12, 1910. Her mortal remains were laid in the Utica Cemetery in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska.
Now to continue with the biography of Oliver W. Cole;
In August of 1862, Peorian David W. Magee, a veteran of the Mexican War, began recruiting a Peoria area company to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. On August 6, 1862, Magee was recruiting in Logan Township of Peoria County, Illinois in the Hanna City area and Oliver W. Cole volunteered to serve in this Peoria area company.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name COLE, OLIVER W Rank PVT
Company H Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LOGAN, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 22 Height 5' 7 Hair LIGHT Eyes HAZEL
Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE
Occupation FARMER Nativity FULTON CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 6, 1862
Joined Where LOGAN, IL
Joined By Whom D H MAGEE
Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _________
Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC
Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGG
When Magee had about 100 volunteers he and the men of his company went into camp at Camp Lyons, located near present day Glen Oak Park. Most likely because of his previous military experience, David W. Magee was elected to serve as the first Lieutenant Colonel of the 86th Illinois. The men of the Peoria area company, then elected John C. Hall to serve as their Captain. On August 27, 1862, Captain John C. Hall, Private Oliver W. Cole and 87 of the other Peoria area volunteers were mustered into service as Company H of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, which had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together at the depot, the men of the 85th and 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, located at Jeffersonville, Indiana, across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th and 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next three years.
During the next three years, Private Oliver W. Cole would serve faithfully in Co. H as the men of the 86th served in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Oliver was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averysboro, North Carolina; and Bentonville, North Carolina, to name a few and would march with Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington, D.C., where in May they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. On June 6, 1865, Private Oliver W. Cole was there with the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they were mustered out of service at Washington, D.C. They then were sent by train to Chicago, Illinois where they received their final pay and were discharged. By the end of June of 1865, most of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois where back home with their families in Central Illinois.
Oliver W. Cole was married to Martha J. Bloom on May 24, 1866 in Bureau County, Illinois. Martha J. Bloom was born on Dec. 12, 1839 in Ohio. Martha was almost certainly the daughter of Peter Bloom and Jane (__________) Bloom.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Bloom family is found in Indiantown, Bureau County, Illinois;
Peter Bloom M 45 New Jersey
Jane Bloom F 47 Virginia
Sarah R Bloom F 18 Ohio
William H Bloom M 16 Ohio
Martha J Bloom F 10 Ohio
James Bloom M 8 Ohio
Frances L Bloom F 4 Illinois
Elizabeth Tompkins F 22 Ohio
Emeline Tompkins F 3 Illinois
Mary E Tompkins F 2 Illinois
John Mayville M 39 Virginia
Findley T Wilson M 16 Ohio
Four children are known to have been born to Oliver and Martha. They are;
1. Edward Cole, born c. 1867 in Illinois; may have died before 1880 as he is not listed with the family in 1880.
2. Byron M. Cole, born Jul. 16, 1870 in Illinois; died Aug. 5, 1925; buried in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, Section B; Row 6
3. Edna M. Cole, born ___________ __, 1873 in Nebraska; Edna was married to Albert _. Virgin in 189__; Edna died on ___________ __, 1948 and her mortal remains were laid in Section B, Row 9 of the Utica Cemetery in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska.
4. Henry R. Cole, born Jun. 21, 1877 in Nebraska; died May 22, 1907; buried in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska. Henry was married to Nellie A. Mathews on January 1, 1903. Nellie was born on August 26, 1880 and died on August 18, 1956. Henry and Nellie were the parents of;
A. Vernon Angus Cole, born c. 1903
B. Ralph Therion Cole 06 Oct 1905 - 01 May 1981
C. Rachel Irene Cole, born c. 1908. Rachel was married to ____________ Brunton.
Now to continue with the biography of Oliver W. Cole and his family;
At the time of the 1870 census, the Cole family is found in Indiantown Township, Bureau County, Illinois;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Oliver Cole M 30y Illinois
Martha Cole F 30y Ohio
Edward Cole M 3y Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, Oliver and his family are found in name York County, Nebraska.
self Oliver W. Cole M 40 Illinois
wife Martha J. Cole F 40 Ohio
son Byron M. Cole M 9 Illinois
daughter Edna A. Cole F 5 Nebraska
son Henry R. Cole M 2 Nebraska
In the 1885 Nebraska census, this is the way the family appears in Morton, York County, Nebraska;
Head O W Cole M 45
Wife Martha Cole F 45
Son Byron Cole M 14
Daughter Edna Cole F 10
Son Henry Cole M 7
In 1900, the Cole family is found in the Village of Gresham, Stewart Township, York County, Nebraska;
Oliver W. Cole, December 1839, Illinois M 61
Martha J. Cole, December 1839, Ohio F 61
In 1910, the Cole family is found in Precinct E, Seward County, Nebraska;
self O W Cole M 70y Illinois
wife Martha J Cole F 70y Ohio
moth Elizabeth Cole F 93y Kentucky
Martha J. Cole died on Jan. 3, 1913 and her earthly remains were laid in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, Section B; Row 6.
At the time of the 1920 census, Oliver W. Cole is found residing with his daughter and son-in-law Township E, Seward County, Nebraska. He is listed as widowed. His father and mother are listed as having been born in Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively;
Head Albert Virgin M 52 Iowa
Wife Edna Virgin F 45 Nebraska
Daughter Fay Virgin F 11 Nebraska
Father-in-law Oliver W Cole M 80 Illinois
Private Oliver W. Cole died on May 24, 1923 in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska. The May 31, 1923 edition of the UTICA SUN newspaper, of Utica, Nebraska carried the following obituary;
"A PIONEER PASSES
Veteran of the Civil War Mustered out Last Thursday After Long Illness
After a long torturing period of illness, the venerable Oliver W. Cole passed away at his home in this city Thursday of last week, at the very advanced age of eighty-three years, five months and eleven days. His funeral was held with military honors on Sunday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Thomas Hollingsworth, of Thayer, a former pastor, conducting the services. The obsequies were largely attended. Military bodies having part were the G. A. R., Spanish-American and World War veterans. The color bearer was Joe Ran, and the color guards were L. B. Neff and Oscar Cross. The only remaining veteran of the Civil war Henry Langenheim also bore a flag.
Oliver W. Cole was born in Fulton county, Illinois, December 18, 1939. He enlisted in Co. H, Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, August 27, 1862, and served until the close of the war.
On May 24, 1866 he married Martha J. Bloom. To this union were born four children - three sons and one daughter. His wife and two sons preceded him to the other world.
Mr. Cole came to Nebraska in 1872, and homesteaded near Benedict, York county, Nebraska, in which county he made his home until moving to Utica, and where he made his home until the time of his death. He was converted and joined the United Breathren church in 1894 at Blue Ridge, near Gresham. He was a good and loving husband and father, and through all of his illness was a patient sufferer. He leaves to mourn his loss, one son, B. M. Cole of Wray Colo., and Mrs. Al Virgin, of Utica, Six grandchildren also survive."
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Cole family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Oliver W. Cole and the Cole family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Oliver W. Cole, which may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
Then, Oliver W. Cole survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Oliver probably had his picture taken dozens of times, if not hundreds of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of his CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private OLIVER W. COLE, Co. H, 86th Illinois
Oliver W. Cole was born c. December 13, 1839 in Fulton County, Illinois, one of at least four children born to __________ Cole, who was born in Kentucky or in Tennessee, and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole, who was born in Kentucky. The only Cole family in Fulton County, Illinois at the time of the 1840 census is headed by William C. Cole.
Several pedigree charts on familysearch list Elizabeth Sallee as having been born on October 8, 1816/18 in Mercer County, Kentucky. According to those charts, she was the daughter of James Sallee, who was born c. 1786 in Virginia and who died on September 6, 1856 in or near Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, and Mary "Polly" (Hornbeck) Sallee, who was born c. 1793/96 in Kentucky and who died on February 4, 1864 in or near Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois.
One of those pedigree charts also states that Elizabeth was first married to a Hugh Cole, who died c. 1843, and then later to a Harlow Searle in 1844. No information in Illinois State records can be found on the Cole/Sallee marriage, but, Illinois State Records do tell us that Mrs. Elizabeth Cole was married to Harlow Searl, who was born in Vermont c. 18__, on May 2, 1844 in Bureau County, Illinois. So we know that Mr. Cole, whether it was Hugh Cole or William C. Cole, was deceased before 1844.
One site on the internet lists Hugh Cole as having been born on October 31, 1814 in Cumberland County, Kentucky, the son of Samuel Cole and Mary (Brown) Cole. This information, which apparently comes from a Descendants of Hugh Cole and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole, Michelle Cole McClaren James, states that Samuel Cole was born on January 23, 1776 in Washington County, Virginia (now Tennessee), the son of Sampson Cole (1755) and Keziah Cole (1750). It furthers states that Hugh Cole married Elizabeth Sallee on April 15, 1835 in Putnam County, Illinois.
Family lore has Elizabeth portrayed as a feisty pioneer woman. One story holds that she was alone on the homestead one night, and she went out to fetch some firewood. A pack of wolves surrounded her, and she defended herself by throwing logs at them this way and that. She ended up spending a cold night in the cabin instead of going out for more wood. The children of Mr. Cole and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole include;
1. Samuel Cole, born c. 1835/36 in Illinois; Samuel is believed to be the Samuel W. Cole, who served as a Corporal in Co. A of the 47th Illinois during the Civil War. Samuel W. Cole is listed as being 25 years of age when he enlisted on August 16, 1861, was residing in Timber Township of Peoria County, Illinois at the time he enlisted and is listed as having been born in Bureau County, Illinois. His tombstone states that he was born on Jan. 19, 1836 and died on Apr. 25, 1911 and his mortal remains were laid in the Highland Cemetery in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Sameul W. Cole was married to Mary E. Keller on December 21, 1865 in Peoria County, Illinois. Mary E. Kellar is very likely the daughter of John R. Keller and Keziah (_________) Keller, who are found in Millbrook Township of Peoria County at the time of the 1860 census;
Keller John R. 43 M farmer 7,200 1,141 VA
Keller Keziah D. 38 F VA
Keller Mary E. 16 F VA
Keller Almira J. 13 F VA
Keller Rachel D. 10 F VA
Keller Eliza A. 7 F VA
Keller Catherine F. 2 F IL
2. Phoebe Cole, born c. 1837/38 in Illinois. There is a record of a Phoebe A. Cole being married to a John J. Moulding on December 20, 1858 in Kane County, Illinois. Is this our Phoebe Cole? Phoebe is believed to have died c. 1906.
3. Oliver W. Cole, born c. 1839/40 in Illinois; See his biography below.
4. Sarah June Cole, born c. 1841/42 in Illinois. Sarah is believed to have died c. 1880.
After Mr. Cole's death, as stated above, Mrs. Elizabeth Cole was married to Harlow Searl/Searles on May 2, 1844 in Bureau County, Illinois. Two children were born to Harlow Searl and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searles. They include;
1. Mary/Maria Louisa Searles, born March 29, 1848 in Bureau County, Illinois. Mary L. Searl/Searles was married to Clarence D. Wiggins on February 16, 1871 in Peoria County, Illinois. Clarence was born c. 1845/46 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, Mary, listed here as Mariah, and her family are found in Monica Township, Peoria County, Illinois, where Clarence is working as a Teamster;
Clarence Wiggins Self M 34 Illinois
Mariah L Wiggins Wife F 32 Illinois
Charles Wiggins Son M 8 Illinois
Edwin Wiggins Son M 7 Illinois
Alva I Wiggins Son M 4 Illinois
Ethel Wiggins Daughter F 2 Illinois
Louisa Maria (Searles) Wiggins died on 9 May 1921 in Goff, Nemaha County, Kansas and her mortal remains were laid in the Fairview Cemetery in Goff, Nemaha County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #60748846.
2. James Luther Searl, who according to his death record in Illinois State Records was born on October 10, 1850 in Durand, Winnebago County, Illinois and died on June 5, 1930 in East Nelson, Moultrie County, Illinois. James was a Real Estate Agent according to his death record and was a resident of the Illinois Masonic Home Hospital. James L. Searl was married to Angeline B. Kaighin on April 27, 1876 in Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery in Princeville, Illinois.
At the time of the 1850 census on September 6, 1850, the combined Cole/Searl family is found in Princeton, Bureau, Illinois;
Harlow Searle M 49 Cooper 360 New Jersey
Elizabeth Searle F 33 Kentucky
Samuel Cole M 14 Illinois
Phebe Cole F 12 Illinois
Oliver P Cole M 10 Illinois
Sarah J Cole F 8 Illinois
Mary I. Searle F 2 Illinois
Harlow Searl and Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searl may have divorced sometime between 1850 and 1860. At the time of the 1860 census, this is the Cole/Searle family as they appear in The City Of Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Elizabeth Score F 43 Kentucky
Saml Cole M 24 Illinois
Olmer Cole M 19 Illinois
Sarah J Cole F 17 Illinois
Mary Cole F 12 Illinois
James Cole M 9 Illinois
In 1910, Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searle moved in with her son in Precinct E, Seward County, Nebraska;
Self O W Cole M 70y Illinois
wife Martha J Cole F 70y Ohio
moth Elizabeth Cole F 93y Kentucky
Mrs. Elizabeth (Sallee) Cole Searle died shortly after this census was taken. Her tombstone records that she was born on October 8, 1818 and died on June 12, 1910. Her mortal remains were laid in the Utica Cemetery in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska.
Now to continue with the biography of Oliver W. Cole;
In August of 1862, Peorian David W. Magee, a veteran of the Mexican War, began recruiting a Peoria area company to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. On August 6, 1862, Magee was recruiting in Logan Township of Peoria County, Illinois in the Hanna City area and Oliver W. Cole volunteered to serve in this Peoria area company.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name COLE, OLIVER W Rank PVT
Company H Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LOGAN, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 22 Height 5' 7 Hair LIGHT Eyes HAZEL
Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE
Occupation FARMER Nativity FULTON CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 6, 1862
Joined Where LOGAN, IL
Joined By Whom D H MAGEE
Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom _________
Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC
Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGG
When Magee had about 100 volunteers he and the men of his company went into camp at Camp Lyons, located near present day Glen Oak Park. Most likely because of his previous military experience, David W. Magee was elected to serve as the first Lieutenant Colonel of the 86th Illinois. The men of the Peoria area company, then elected John C. Hall to serve as their Captain. On August 27, 1862, Captain John C. Hall, Private Oliver W. Cole and 87 of the other Peoria area volunteers were mustered into service as Company H of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, which had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together at the depot, the men of the 85th and 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, located at Jeffersonville, Indiana, across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th and 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next three years.
During the next three years, Private Oliver W. Cole would serve faithfully in Co. H as the men of the 86th served in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Oliver was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averysboro, North Carolina; and Bentonville, North Carolina, to name a few and would march with Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to a close, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington, D.C., where in May they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. On June 6, 1865, Private Oliver W. Cole was there with the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they were mustered out of service at Washington, D.C. They then were sent by train to Chicago, Illinois where they received their final pay and were discharged. By the end of June of 1865, most of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois where back home with their families in Central Illinois.
Oliver W. Cole was married to Martha J. Bloom on May 24, 1866 in Bureau County, Illinois. Martha J. Bloom was born on Dec. 12, 1839 in Ohio. Martha was almost certainly the daughter of Peter Bloom and Jane (__________) Bloom.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Bloom family is found in Indiantown, Bureau County, Illinois;
Peter Bloom M 45 New Jersey
Jane Bloom F 47 Virginia
Sarah R Bloom F 18 Ohio
William H Bloom M 16 Ohio
Martha J Bloom F 10 Ohio
James Bloom M 8 Ohio
Frances L Bloom F 4 Illinois
Elizabeth Tompkins F 22 Ohio
Emeline Tompkins F 3 Illinois
Mary E Tompkins F 2 Illinois
John Mayville M 39 Virginia
Findley T Wilson M 16 Ohio
Four children are known to have been born to Oliver and Martha. They are;
1. Edward Cole, born c. 1867 in Illinois; may have died before 1880 as he is not listed with the family in 1880.
2. Byron M. Cole, born Jul. 16, 1870 in Illinois; died Aug. 5, 1925; buried in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, Section B; Row 6
3. Edna M. Cole, born ___________ __, 1873 in Nebraska; Edna was married to Albert _. Virgin in 189__; Edna died on ___________ __, 1948 and her mortal remains were laid in Section B, Row 9 of the Utica Cemetery in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska.
4. Henry R. Cole, born Jun. 21, 1877 in Nebraska; died May 22, 1907; buried in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska. Henry was married to Nellie A. Mathews on January 1, 1903. Nellie was born on August 26, 1880 and died on August 18, 1956. Henry and Nellie were the parents of;
A. Vernon Angus Cole, born c. 1903
B. Ralph Therion Cole 06 Oct 1905 - 01 May 1981
C. Rachel Irene Cole, born c. 1908. Rachel was married to ____________ Brunton.
Now to continue with the biography of Oliver W. Cole and his family;
At the time of the 1870 census, the Cole family is found in Indiantown Township, Bureau County, Illinois;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Oliver Cole M 30y Illinois
Martha Cole F 30y Ohio
Edward Cole M 3y Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, Oliver and his family are found in name York County, Nebraska.
self Oliver W. Cole M 40 Illinois
wife Martha J. Cole F 40 Ohio
son Byron M. Cole M 9 Illinois
daughter Edna A. Cole F 5 Nebraska
son Henry R. Cole M 2 Nebraska
In the 1885 Nebraska census, this is the way the family appears in Morton, York County, Nebraska;
Head O W Cole M 45
Wife Martha Cole F 45
Son Byron Cole M 14
Daughter Edna Cole F 10
Son Henry Cole M 7
In 1900, the Cole family is found in the Village of Gresham, Stewart Township, York County, Nebraska;
Oliver W. Cole, December 1839, Illinois M 61
Martha J. Cole, December 1839, Ohio F 61
In 1910, the Cole family is found in Precinct E, Seward County, Nebraska;
self O W Cole M 70y Illinois
wife Martha J Cole F 70y Ohio
moth Elizabeth Cole F 93y Kentucky
Martha J. Cole died on Jan. 3, 1913 and her earthly remains were laid in the Utica Cemetery, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, Section B; Row 6.
At the time of the 1920 census, Oliver W. Cole is found residing with his daughter and son-in-law Township E, Seward County, Nebraska. He is listed as widowed. His father and mother are listed as having been born in Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively;
Head Albert Virgin M 52 Iowa
Wife Edna Virgin F 45 Nebraska
Daughter Fay Virgin F 11 Nebraska
Father-in-law Oliver W Cole M 80 Illinois
Private Oliver W. Cole died on May 24, 1923 in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska. The May 31, 1923 edition of the UTICA SUN newspaper, of Utica, Nebraska carried the following obituary;
"A PIONEER PASSES
Veteran of the Civil War Mustered out Last Thursday After Long Illness
After a long torturing period of illness, the venerable Oliver W. Cole passed away at his home in this city Thursday of last week, at the very advanced age of eighty-three years, five months and eleven days. His funeral was held with military honors on Sunday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Thomas Hollingsworth, of Thayer, a former pastor, conducting the services. The obsequies were largely attended. Military bodies having part were the G. A. R., Spanish-American and World War veterans. The color bearer was Joe Ran, and the color guards were L. B. Neff and Oscar Cross. The only remaining veteran of the Civil war Henry Langenheim also bore a flag.
Oliver W. Cole was born in Fulton county, Illinois, December 18, 1939. He enlisted in Co. H, Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, August 27, 1862, and served until the close of the war.
On May 24, 1866 he married Martha J. Bloom. To this union were born four children - three sons and one daughter. His wife and two sons preceded him to the other world.
Mr. Cole came to Nebraska in 1872, and homesteaded near Benedict, York county, Nebraska, in which county he made his home until moving to Utica, and where he made his home until the time of his death. He was converted and joined the United Breathren church in 1894 at Blue Ridge, near Gresham. He was a good and loving husband and father, and through all of his illness was a patient sufferer. He leaves to mourn his loss, one son, B. M. Cole of Wray Colo., and Mrs. Al Virgin, of Utica, Six grandchildren also survive."
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Cole family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Oliver W. Cole and the Cole family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Oliver W. Cole, which may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
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