William Tunis Cole was born on 1 Jul 1842 in Washington Township, Hardin County, Ohio. He died on 16 May 1906 in Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio.

1880 census of Cessna, Hardin County, Ohio, FHL 1255030, NA Film T9-1030, page 46A - Wm T Cole, 38, born in Ohio, farmer, parents born in Ohio, Martha A, wife, 40, born in Ohio, keeping house, parents born in Ohio, Wm C, son, 16, born in Ohio, at school, Edwin W, son, 14, born in Ohio, at school, Harold I, son, 10, born in Ohio, at school.

History of Hardin County, Ohio, 1883, Page 920 - William T Cole, farmer, P O Kenton, was born July 1, 1842, in Washington Township, Hardin County, Ohio. He is a son of David and Rebecca (Shafer) Cole, the former a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania, of German descent. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, attending the common schools, and spent one term at the Kenton Union School. He was united in marriage October 29, 1862, to Martha Ann Bateson born September 3, 1837, a daughter of George and Eliza Bateson. To this union there have been born three children -William C, born August 21, 1863; Edwin Willis, born April 16, 1866; and Harold Irwin, born April 5, 1870. Mr. Cole enlisted September 20, 1864, in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly one year. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His hand of assistance is felt in the church and its missions, and in all educational, charitable and benevolent societies. He is also a respected member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows fraternity.

William married Martha Ann Bateson on 29 Oct 1862 in Hardin County, Ohio. Martha was born on 3 Sep 1833 in Ohio. She died on 6 Nov 1907 in Kenton Township, Hardin County, Ohio.

They had the following children.

+William C Cole was born on 21 Aug 1863.

+Edwin Willis Cole was born on 16 Apr 1866 in Hardin County, Ohio.

+Harold Irwin Cole was born on 5 Apr 1870.