Harry Holbrook Cole, 1869-1905
American Series of Popular Biographies. Massachusetts Edition. Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Boston: Graves & Steinbarger, 1891)
HARRY HOLBROOK COLE, a well-known resident of Dorchester, was born in South Boston, Mass., April 26, 1869, being the eldest son of Jabez Burgess and Lucy Bartlett (Holmes) Cole. He is a grandson of Samuel Cole, a native and resident of Plymouth, Mass., and a farmer by occupation, who was of old Plymouth Colony stock. Samuel married Hannah Burgess, and reared two children — Jabez B. And Alfred W., the latter now a resident of Boston.
Jabez Burgess Cole was born in Plymouth, September 30, 1839. He was brought up to farm life and labor, but early relinquished it for a more congenial occupation, when a young man going to Watertown, where he found employment at the government arsenal. In 1865 he came to Boston and became associated with his uncle, Job T. Cole, in the undertaking business, and on the death of his uncle founded the firm of J.B. Cole & Son, conducting a very successful business until his death, which occurred suddenly November 30, 1897. He was a man highly esteemed for his many admirable personal characteristics; and his loss was deeply felt by his relatives and a large circle of friends, both in business and social life. He was connected by membership with various fraternal and other organizations, belonging to Rabboni Lodge, F. & A.M.; St. Matthew’s Chapter, R.A.M.; St. Omer Commandery, K.T. He was treasurer and at the time of his death a director of Bethesda Lodge, No. 30, I.O.O.F., and a member of Mount Washington Encampment of I.O.O.F. He also belonged to the Knights of Honor and the Knights and Ladies of Honor, the Royal Society of Good Fellows, the New England Order of Protection, and the South Boston Citizens’ Association. He attended the Phillips Congregational Church, and in politics affiliated with the Republican party.
He was married February 1, 1866, to Miss Lucy Bartlett Holmes, of Plymouth, Mass., a daughter of Caleb Bartlett and Lucy Bartlett (Pryor ) Holmes. They were the parents of five children, namely: Jennie Burgess, born January 25, 1867, who is the wife of Gorham L. Damon, of Boston; Harry Holbrook, whose personal history is outlined below; Arthur Holmes, who was born November 29, 1874, and died at the age of twenty-one years, March 22, 1896; Morton S., who was born October 28, 1871, and died September 9, 1872; Jabez C., born August 14, 1875, died July 21, 1876. Mrs. Lucy Bartlett Cole is still living in South Boston.
Harry Holbrook Cole received his education in the public schools of Boston, and after completing his studies engaged in business with his father in South Boston. In 1889 he came to Dorchester, and founded a branch establishment, which he has conducted successfully up to the present time. On his father’s death he associated with him Mr. C.F. Brown, of Burlington, Vt.; and they have since carried on the business in both places, having an extensive patronage. Mr. Cole attends the Episcopal church. In politics he follows in his father’s footsteps, voting with the Republican party. Like his father, also, he is a Mason, belonging to Union Lodge, F. & A.M.;* Dorchester Chapter, R.A.M.;** and De Molay Commandery, K.T.*** He is also a member of Mount Pleasant Lodge, I.O.O.F.,**** and of the Old Dorchester Club.
He was married February 12, 1889, to Miss Blanch Pearl Riley, a daughter of Joseph E. And Emma V. (Guptill) Riley and a native of Medford, Mass., Mr. And Mrs. Cole have two children — Dorothy and Mary Louise. The children attend the public schools of Dorchester.
*F. & A.M. Free and Accepted Masons.
**R.A.M. Royal Arch Masons.
***K.T. Knights Templar
****I.O.O.F. International Order of the Odd Fellows.
Boston Directory
1900 Harry H. Cole, (J. B. Cole & Son), 124 Dorchester and 560 ColumbiaRroad, h. 23 Glendale
From: “Pamela Thompson” Re: Overview: Harry Holbrook Cole
Harry died in Boston on 25 June 1905, married, age 36y 2m 2d, of “phthisis pulmonalis” (tuberculosis) [MA Vital Records 1841–1910]. He is buried in Oak Grove/Vine Hills Cemetery in Plymouth, MA [gravestone, http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ma/plymouth/towns/plymouth/cemeteries/ogvh02.txt (11 Jan 2005)].
FindaGrave.com
Harry Holbrook Cole, born april 26, 1869; died June 25, 1905
The Dorchester Beacon, July 1, 1905
Harry H. Cole, formerly of the undertaking firm of J. B. Cole Son, of Dorchester and South Boston, died Sunday at the home of his sister in South Boston, after a long illness. Mr. Cole, who was born in South Boston about 36 years ago, was for a number of years a partner of his father, the late Jabez B. Cole, and was afterward in business with C. F. Brown. He was a Mason, a member of De Molay K. T., and of the Odd Fellows, and was popular with business associates and acquaintances. Besides a wife and four children, he leaves a mother and a sister. Mr. Cole was well and favorably known in, the vicinity of Corner, where he resided for several years, before leaving business and going west in search of better health. He was very popular with the large number of persons with whom he was acquainted.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock in St. Mary’s Episcopal church, Upham’s Corner. The services were conducted by Rev. George L. Paine, rector, musical being rendered by the Harvard quartet. There were delegations present from De Molay K. T.; Union Lodge of Masons, and the Undertakers’ Social Club. All of these organizations sent flowers, as did the old Dorchester club, of which Mr. Cole was a member.