John Cole, Postmast at Fremont, was born in Hillsdale Co., Mich., Feb. 23, 1849. His parents, John and Anna (Searles) Cole, were natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. They moved to Hillsdale, where they still reside.
The subject of this sketch attended the common schools until 18 years of age, then came to Newaygo County, settling in Hesperia, where he built a saw-mill and operated it one year. He exchanged his mill for a farm, which he carried on for three years, and in 1872 sold it and opened a hardware store in Fremont. He carries a stock of about $6,000, and is doing a heavy business.
Mr. Cole was married in Fremont, April 23, 1871, to Hannah, daughter of James D. Barks, and they have one child, Frank, born April 10, 1882. Mr. Cole was appointed Postmaster of Fremont Feb. 23, 1883; has held the office of Township and Village Treasurer several years; is a member of the Masonic Order, and in politics is a Republican.