It started with Benjamin Franklin Cole and Eliza Ann Wilkins getting married.
Their first son, Elmer Earl Cole was born November 8, 1894 in Patton in Cambria county, Pennsylvania.
While still living in Patton, Elmer’s brothers were born. Burzie Frank was born June 29, 1897 and Hiram Paul was born September 5, 1900.
From an interview with my grandmother (Elmer’s sister), “My dad worked in the mines in Patton. He got to be mine foreman, but it was beginning to run out in Patton, so they moved to Clearfield.
Harriet Irene was born in Clearfield, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania on February 5, 1905.
on Thursday evening, February 21, 1918, Elmer’s letter home was published.
From an interview I did with my Grandmother Irene: “My brother Elmer died overseas of influenza. Mother and dad were shopping when we got the word about Elmer’s death. They had just gotten word in the papers that the Armistice was signed. My mother was all thrilled because her boys would be coming home. This message came. I answered the door. There was no one at home but me. The man that delivered it said, “Is your dad at home?” And I said, no, he’s downtown. He said, “Don’t you dare open this until your dad comes home.” Well, as soon as he was done, I opened it because it wasn’t sealed tight. So when my dad came home, I handed it to him. He read it and he said, “You know all about this, don’t you.” and I started crying. He said, “That’s all right. I’ll tell your mother.”
From an interview with my grandmother: “My dad only lived one year after Elmer died. My mother said he just grieved, Elmer was the oldest son. He just seemed to go downhill from then on and he died from the flu”.
Lydia's family 