Cumberland County, Maine - Cyrus Cole
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Biography
Cyrus Cole
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 419


Cyrus Cole, for many years one of the prominent business men of Cumberland
County, was born February 28, 1814, in Winthrop, Kennebec County, this State,
son of William Cole. He spent his boyhood days in Buckfield, working much of the
time in his father's carding-mill. When nineteen years of age, he went to
Boston, hoping to find some congenial employment; but after a short stay in the
metropolis he returned to Maine, securing work at the Tontine House in
Brunswick, where as a clerk he earned and saved some money, leaving the place
with a bank account of sixty dollars. Going thence to Buckfield, Mr. Cole, with
true Yankee enterprise, established himself in trade, entering into partnership
in 1838 with Mr. Ephraim Atwood, with whom, under the firm name of Cole &
Atwood, he carried on a good business in general merchandise for two or three
years. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Cole disposed of his interest in the store
to his partner, and removed to Turner village, Androscoggin County. Forming a
copartnership with Washington Long, he began the manufacture of woollen cloths
and satinets, also establishing a general store, besides carrying on an
extensive business in buying and selling wool and in exchanging that commodity
for woollen cloth.

In 1844 Mr. Cole sold out his share of the business to Mr. Long, and changed his
place of residence to Freeport, where he operated a grist and flour mill,
conducted a general store, managed a large farm, and in addition to these varied
industries built several vessels, being prospered in each of his ventures. Ten
years later he, in company with Mr. Bibber, started a wholesale grocery business
in the city of Portland, under the name of Cole & Bibber, continuing five years,
and also dealing largely in real estate, having some heavy transactions in
Munjoy Hill property. Coming thence to Cape Elizabeth, the northern part of the
town, since incorporated as South Portland, Mr. Cole purchased the homestead
farm at Pleasantdale, now occupied by Mrs. Cole, residing here until his
decease, December 2, 1892.

Cyrus Cole and Sarah A. De Coster were united in marriage on September 29, 1840.
Mrs. Cole was born at Buckfield, Me., on January 18, 1817, being the youngest of
a family of eight children. Her parents were Samuel and Sarah (Bacon) De Coster.
No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cole, but they adopted a boy whom they
reared as their own son; namely, Charles M. Cole, who still lives to requite his
foster-mother's care. Mrs. Cole is sustained and cheered by strong religious
faith, being a devout Universalist.

A man of much native ability and force of character, a stanch Republican in
politics, Mr. Cole ever takes a leading part in local public affairs, serving
for several years as Selectman and representing his district in the State
legislature. Religiously, he was an active and conscientious member of the
Universalist church. Socially, he belonged to the Aged Brotherhood, or Society
of Old Men.