Mahlon Cole

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

One of the well known and prominent agriculturists of Morris county, Mahlon COLE, was born at Basking Ridge, Somerset county, New Jersey, on the 11th of September, 1840. He is a son of James and Mary (DITMARS) COLE, the former of whom was born near Peapack and followed farming as his vocation in life. He was a thoroughly representative citizen; in his politics he was a stanch Democrat, having once been a member of the board of freeholders, and he passed the latter years of his life near the village of Mendham, where he died in 1871, at the age of fifty-eight years. His father was Isaiah COLE, a native of Somerset county, where he was a prominent farmer. He died at the advanced age of seventy-five years. Mrs. COLE was a daughter of James DITMARS and died in 1862, being survived by the following children: Julia A., who became the wife of William MENAGH, of Mendham; Mahlon, our subject; Angeline, who married John P. ROBERTSON, of Newark, New Jersey; and Harvey.

Mahlon COLE attended the common schools and upon attaining manhood he engaged in the same occupation as that followed by his father. After his marriage he established himself upon the old homestead, and has since made that his residence. February 24, 1864, he became united in marriage to Miss Nancy J. VAN NEST, a daughter of Henry D. and Jane (BEEKMAN) VAN NEST. The latter was one of Mendham's prosperous farmers and reliable citizens, who married Miss Jane BEEKMAN, and became the father of nine children. The children of Mr. and Mrs. COLE are: Lavinia, the wife of Emanuel DAY, of Morristown, and Miss Nellie COLE.

Mr. COLE is a member of the First Presbyterian church, of Mendham, of which he has for some time been an elder. In his political adherency he renders stanch support to the cause of the Prohibition party.

This biography was scanned and contributed by Catherine Smith DeMayo.

This page was last modified on: 01 January, 2014