Fred H. Cole, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Fred H. Cole
FRED H. COLE. A prominent, capable and popular educator, Fred H. Cole, of Valparaiso, is well known as county superintendent of the schools of Porter county. An indomitable worker, eminently capable of studying men and things, he is ever alert to the educational problems of the day, and is doing much towards advancing the vital interests of the public schools. A son of John C. Cole, he was born February 27, 1876, in Liberty township, Porter county, Indiana, and comes of pioneer ancestry, his grandfather, Edward P. Cole, a native of the Empire state, having migrated to Indiana in 1838, settling on land in Porter county.
Born in New York in 1836, John C. Cole was but two years old when his parents located in Liberty township, Porter county. He succeeded to the occupation of his ancestors, and was for many years actively and prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits in Liberty township. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted as a private in Company E, Seventy-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the conflict, being mustered out of the army as sergeant of his company. Returning home, he continued in his independent occupation, and for many years was prominent in the management of public affairs, holding many minor offices in the township. His death, which occurred in 1905, was a loss to the community in which he had for so many years lived and labored. He married Mary Osborn, who was born in Ohio and as a child came to Porter county with her parents. She is still living, and is the mother of five children, all natives of Porter county as follows: Ada A., wife of A. H. Freer, of Porter county; Etta, wife of G. F. Griswold, of Chesterton; Daniel E., of Chesterton; George J., of Liberty township, and Fred H.
Spending his boyhood days on the old homestead and in Woodville, which was founded by his father, Fred H. Cole acquired the rudiments of his education in the district schools, and in 1896 was graduated from the Chesterton high school. Completing his early studies in DePauw University, he began his professional career in Liberty township where he remained one year and then became principal of the Porter school, of which he had charge four years. Mr. Cole was afterwards deputy auditor of Porter county two years, and in 1908 was elected county superintendent of the Porter county schools. Filling the position so acceptably to all concerned, he was re-elected to the same high office in 1911, and is performing the duties devolving upon him in this capacity most ably, conscientiously and satisfactorily.
On March 10, 1898, Mr. Cole was united in marriage with Anna B. Hineline, a daughter of Joseph K. and Mary J. (Bancroft) Hineline, of Porter county, and into their home three children have been born, namely: Vera B., Ivan K. and Marjorie. Fraternally Mr. Cole is a member of Porter Lodge, No. 137, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and of the Valparaiso Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He has held the highest offices in each of these organizations, filling most of the chairs in each.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 680-681
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook