John Cole was born at Hereforedshire, England, July 8, 1821. He was the son of William and Ann Fenner Cole. He joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with the following brothers and sisters: Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, William, Charolette, and Richard.

They left England in the month of September, 1840. It took them six weeks to cross the ocean.

While living at Nauvoo, his father died very suddenly when turning a log over in the fire place so that it might burn brighter.

After the death of his father his mother became homesick and dissatisfied and returned to England taking William, Charolette and Richard with her. Richard crying said, I'll come back when I am a man".

Sarah Cole married a man by the name of Gnawald and went to Michigan to live, while John, Mary Cole Taylor & Elizabeth, known as "Aunt Betsy", came to Utah.

On the same ship sailing from England was Thomas Jenkins and family. It was at this time John Cole met Charlotte Jenkins, who after living in Nauvoo for a time married her in 1842.

It was here their oldest child was born, Rachel, July 17, 1844. Their family consisted of six sons and five daughters.

Later in life John Cole married Mary Ann Corden, widow of Bishop Alford Corden, To them was born three sons and one daughter John A. Cole born January 31, 1874, Edwin Voss Cole born October 19, 1878, Richard Cole born ???? , and Alice Cole born July 11, 1882.

While in England Grandfather was an apprentice as a wheelright. This was his trade an undoubtedly had he remained in his native land he would have followed this line of work. However, upon arriving in Nauvoo he obtained some land and built a small room near Uncle Jenkins for them to live in.

After they were driven from Nauvoo, they went to winter quarters at what is now called Florence, Nebraska. They remained here one winter.

It was here Charlotte J. was born by his first wife in a covered wagon and lived only a few weeks.

They then moved to Pataveltive, Iowa where Grandfather again established a home. They built up a small farm and raised mostly corn, potatoes, and hay. Their main stay of existence was corn bread.

While living here, he in connection with John Rebey worked a number of miles from home sawing lumber with a hand saw to make wagons and equipped themselves to come on to Utah.

During this time grandmother took care of two yoke of oxen and two cows in connection with her home duties.

During their long Journey across the plains Joseph J. was born June 16, 1850 in Nebraska in a covered wagon.

They arrived in Salt Lake City on October 3, 1850.

In 1851 on January 1st, I found the little company moving to American Fork where they lived for eight or nine years. Here they prospered and made a home as in other places. Here Grandfather obtained some land and farmed.

It was on this trip to American Fork that the family suffered intensely from the cold. Grandfather's feet were badly frozen, but they found good friends that administered to their comforts.

While at American Fork the following children were born: Mary Elizabeth December 3, 1852; Lydia Ann, October 5, 1854; John Heber, March 18, 1857. They all went through the trials of pioneer life.

In 1858 he was called to the Echo Canyon to stand guard during the trouble there. He responded willingly and was gone six weeks.

He also made one or two trips back to meet the hand cart company with provisions for them.

In the year 1859 they moved to Willard where he purchased a farm from Iris Parks. The following children were born: Thomas Richard, November 9, 1859; George Ames November 19, 1863; Sarah Melisne, April 22, 1866, Robert Franklin, June 6, 1868. John Cole prospered and became a fairly well to do man.

What he was called to do he willingly responded to. Brother John Cole and wives were devoted to their religion. They were prompt tithe payers and were very ardent supporters of the principles of the gospel and they did much temple work.

John Cole died at Willard May 20, 1909 at the age of 88. He was the father of 16 children.