“NAT" COLE DEAD AT 82

RESIDENT OF BLAIR FOR 45 YEARS

I.O.O.F. MEMBER SINCE 1904

N. W. “Nat” Cole died at Blair hospital last Friday morning only three days after his 82nd birth anniversary. He had been employed for many years as bridges and buildings foreman at the Blair Bridge, making his home a half mile east of Blair for nearly half a century.

Funeral services were conducted at First Baptist Church Sunday with the Rev. D. D. Kennedy officiating. Arrangements were in charge of J. E. Campbell.

Born at Hastings, Mich., October 19, 1861, Cole came to Nebraska in 1881. In 1887 he embarked upon a railroad career which continued until his retirement in 1931.

Cole was married to Nellie Foster on January 1, 1885. Four children, three of whom died in infancy, were born to their union. A son, Glen Dale of Blair, survives. Mrs. Cole passed away Nov. 26, 1891. On September 26, 1895, Cole was united in marriage to Laura Anderson, and one son, Calvin, was born to them. Following a long illness, his wife died in September 1942.

Cole held active membership in the Blair Old Fellows lodge since March 10, 1904.

Left to mourn his passing are two sons, Glen and Calvin of Blair; three grandchildren, Robert of Indianapolis, Ind., Virginia of Omaha, and Orville in the U. S. Navy; also two great-grandchildren, Rodney and Andrea of Indianapolis.

Enterprise 28 Oct 1943

"Nat" Cole, 82, Passed Away Last Friday

Nathaniel William Cole, son of William and Mary Cole, was born October 10, 1861 in Hastings, Michigan, and passed away after a very short illness Friday morning, October 22nd.

He came to Nebraska in 1881 and on January 1, 1885, he was united in marriage to Nellie Foster. To this union four children were born, Glen Dale and three daughters who died in infancy. His wife died on November 26, 1891. On September 26, 1895, he was united in marriage to Laura Anderson,and to this union one son was born, Calvin.

He farmed for a short while at Logan, Iowa, and in 1887 he began his railroad career. He first began work in the Car Repair Shop in Missouri Valley, and worked in many departments. For many years before his retirement in 1931 he was Bridges and Foreman at the Blair bridge.

For 45 years he and his family made their home one half mile east of Blair. He was well known, and held in high esteem by all who worked with him. On September 9th, 1942, his wife passed away after a long illness. He was blessed with good health, until he was stricken last Saturday, October 16th. He was the last of his immediate family to go.

Two sisters, who preceded him, were Ersula Sission of Tekamah and Mary Hewitt of Chicago, Ill.

He was an active member of the Blair Odd Fellows Lodge No. 14, since, March 10th, 1904.

He leaves to mourn his passing two sons, Glen and Calvin of Blair, three grandchildren, Robert of Indianapolis, Ind., Virginia of Omaha, and Orville in the U.S. Navy, and two great grandchildren, Rodney and Andrea of Indianapolis.

Funeral services were held on Sunday at 2 o'clock, at the Baptist Church, with Rev. D. D. Kennedy officiating. Interment was made in the Blair cemetery.