The North Mountain Historical Society
Meeting for May, 2003
Monday, May 19, 2003
The History Buffs met at the Brass Pelican on May 19, 2003. In the absence of Jim Vance, David Kline chaired the meeting. Doyle Brewer opened the meeting with prayer. Everyone introduced themselves and told where they were from. There were 65 people present, the second largest number ever attending. The minutes of the last meeting were read.
David then introduced Brad Cole who spoke to us on the history and background of the Cole family in this area.
Mr. Cole opened his remarks by giving us a general understanding of how to research family history and genealogy. Some of his information came from the cemetery at St. Gabriels church, the oldest church in the area. Later he had access to the files at the Mormon Genealogical Center in Salt Lake City.
Harry Cole of Bloomsburg had done a genealogical chart of the Cole family that had given Brad useful information. Unfortunately, much of Harry Cole's material was lost in the Agnes Flood.
In 1792 a group of men, including Ezekiel Cole and William Hess moved from Hunterdon County, New Jersey to this area, which was then part of Northumberland County. In 1806, Ezekiel Cole built a grist mill and a house, later known as Greystone, where Coles Creek (named for the Cole family) joined Fishing Creek. This house was home to some members of the Cole family until 1916.
Montgomery Cole, a member of the Cole family, was arrested for taking part in the Fishing Creek Confederacy and served time in a Federal Prison.
Ezekiel Cole gave the land and $25.00 for the building of St. Gabriel's Church. Recently Brad Cole and Franklin Newhart were instrumental in restoring the original bell to the church. Brad was also active in the building of the addition to the church in recent years by Lee Remley. . Brad mentioned that Lee had been very careful to retain the look of the old church in the addition.
Our thanks to Brad Cole for an interesting and informative presentation.
To close the meeting David said "We have a surprise for you. You are going to love it" and we did! "The Three Tenors", John Laubach, Winton Laubach, and John Umbewest sang for us- That Old Gang of Mine and Good Night, Irene. They did a great job and it was a delightful surprise,
The next meeting will be June 16 at the Pelican. The speaker
will be Chuck Chapman who will speak about the Park along the creek at Light
Street and the work
done on Fishing Creek at Jamison City to alleviate the acid content of the
water.
| May 19, 2003 |
Speaker: Brad Cole
|
Subject:
Brad Cole spoke
on the Coles of the Upper Fishingcreek Valley and briefly discussed
the St. Gabriels Church.
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| Photos courtesy of Richard Shoemaker | ||
| May 19, 2003 |
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From the left: John Herbert Laubach, John Unbewust, and Winton Laubach, on loan to the History Buffs from the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. The group added the finishing touches to the day's entertainment. |
