Wilna Cole

Narrative:

     Wilna Cole was born on 17 Feb 1827 in Peru, Huron Co., Ohio.^4,5,6
     He was probably one of the two males under age 5 listed in the household of his father, Edward Lester Cole, in the 1830 Federal Census of Bronson, Huron Co., Ohio.¹³ He was probably one of the two males age 10 to15 listed in the household of his father in the 1840 Federal Census of Bronson, Huron Co., Ohio.¹⁴
     Wilna married Frances Ann Cobb, daughter of Gideon Cobb and Roxana Worden, on 26 Nov 1857 in Rochester, New York.^7,8,9
     Wilna and Frances Ann Cobb moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, after their marriage.¹⁵ They appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, enumerated 16 Jun 1860, reporting real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate of $6,000. Their daughter Mary was listed as living with them, as were his mother, Mary Pancost, and May Fagan, age 17, a domestic.²
     He was a boot and shoe dealer in Grand Rapids.^{16,17,18,19,20} In the 1860 census he reported that he had $4,000 invested in the business. For the year ending 1 Jun 1860 he reported he had used 20 dozen Morocco skins worth $360, 40 dozen calf skins worth $1,440, 1,000 lb. of sole leather worth $280, and other leather worth $1,000. He had employed on average of four males and two females, at a cost of $144 per month for the males and $16 for the females. The business produced 500 pairs of boots worth $2,000, 500 pairs of men's shoes worth $1,000, 1,000 pairs of women's shoes worth $1,000, and $2,000 worth of other styles.²¹
     Wilna and Frances appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, enumerated 25 Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $18,000 and personal estate of $10,000. Their children Mary, Edward and Jennie were listed as living with them, as were Wilber Taylor, age 14, relationship unknown, and Kate McVain, a 17-year-old domestic servant.²²
     Wilna and Frances appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, enumerated 1 Jun 1880. Their children Edward and Jennie were listed as living with them, as were two boarders, Mary and Lucy McVian, age 24 and 21.²³
     Wilna and Frances appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at 443 East Fulton, enumerated 11 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their daughter, Jennie, and her husband and son were listed as living at the same address.²⁴
     Wilna and Frances appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at 23 North College Ave., enumerated 18 Apr 1910, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage.²⁵
     His wife died on 18 Mar 1913 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^26,27
     Wilna died on 15 May 1918 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, at age 91.^7,10 He was buried on 18 May 1918 in Oak Hill Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.^11,12