An American Family History

Broad Cole, Jr. was born about 1754. His parents were Broad Cole and Athaliah Dimmitt.

His wife was named Elizabeth.

Shadrach Cole (1778, married Mary Mathena),
Sarah Cole (1783, married William P Wisely),
John Cole (married Elizabeth),
Nancy Cole,
Joshua Cole (1789, married Susannah Ranier),
Mary (Polly) Cole, (1790, married Richard Byrely), and
Eleanor Cole (1794, married Basil Burton).

Between 1778 and 1783, Broad was one of the men from Bedford County, Pennsylvania who served as a ranger on the Continental Line in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

In 1788, Broad was a member of Captain John Gelbreath's company of the Huntingdon County militia.

From 1782 t0 1792, he was taxed in Shirley Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

In 1793 and 1795, he was on tax lists in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

In 1798 they moved to Fairfield County, Ohio.

In April, 1805, Broad purchased land in what became Madison Township, Pickaway County, Ohio.

In 1806, Broad, Shadrach were in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, Ohio.

His estate was administered in Pickaway County, Ohio in 1831 or 1832.

from Pioneer Period and Pioneer people of Fairfield County, Ohio

Thomas Cole, and a brother Broad Cole, came to Fairfield County in the year 1801, and settled in Amanda Township. They came from Huntington County, Penn.

Broad Cole was a Methodist, and Bishop Asbury, on his first journey to Ohio in 1803, preached at his cabin in the afternoon of a week day.

Mr. Broad Cole did not remain many years in this county, but moved to Pickaway County, where he died and was buried.

His son Shadrick [Cole] was a man of some prommence and was a Methodist preacher of local reputation. A son of Shadrick Cole moved to Nebraska.

Thomas Cole, born March 15, 1757, was one of the prominent early citizens of Amanda Township, and he lived there during his life.

His son Broad Cole married a daughter of Samuel Peters and lived and died upon the farm now owned by Felix Swope. His son Thomas Cole of Amanda Township is one of the intelligent and worthy men of the township and an old school Baptist preacher of more than local reputation.

In one instance a public-spirited citizen, father of Broad Cole, built a school house and employed Abraham Cole to teach the school at eight dollars per month and invited his neighbors to send their children and pay pro rata share or not, as they chose or were able.

from the History of Shelby County, Ohio

Joshua Cole, deceased was born near Baltimore, Md. on the 3rd day of July in 1789. He was a son of Broad Cole. 

When yet a small child his father settled in Kentucky, remained until 1798, when he moved to Ohio, and located in Fairfield County, remained a few years, when he then moved to Pickaway County, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood.

On the 7th day of February, 1811, he married Miss Susannah, daughter of Daniel and Rachel Ranier, then of Pickaway County, but a native of New Jersey, where she was born January 9, 1792.

On the 22d day of August, 1812, he enlisted under the command of Captain Reed. and served about six months in the war of 1812. In about 1819 or 1820 he came to Shelby County, entered the southeast quarter of section 6, Turtle Creek Township, and then returned to his home in Pickaway County.

In 1821 he came back to his land, and with the help of two men which came with him he cleared about nine acres, and again returned to his home in Pickaway County.

In March, 1822, he brought his family to Shelby County, and stopped at Ebenezer Stephens, near Hardin, until he could erect a cabin, which he completed, and moved his family some time in April. There were no settlers north of Mr. Cole nearer than eleven miles for some time after he moved. On this farm he remained, making clearing and farming his business until 1845, when he rented his farm, and moved his family to Sidney, where they lived until 1851, when he returned to Turtle Creek Township, and moved his family on the farm in same section, joining his old home farm on the west, on which he passed the remainder of his days.

His companion died September 15, 1876. He died October 20, 1876. He reared a family of seven children, viz., Cynthia, Nancy, Rachel, Broad, Nathan W., Susannah, and Joshua R.; all of whom are yet living except Joshua R., who died with cholera August 3, 1854.