L. E. Cote

    L. E. Cote, the proprietor of one of the leading bakery establishments of Hymera, has been the architect of his own success and has built wisely and well. He was left an orphan at the early age of thirteen years, and he was only a lad of seven at the time of his father's death. He made his home with a sister until he was fifteen, and then started out in life to battle for himself, working for others during the first year. He then started on his career as a baker, learning the trade under the able instruction of Wells & Boettler, of St. Louis, Missouri, and he continued with that firm for five years, working as a journeyman baker until 1902, when he came to Hymera and established the bakery of which he is yet the proprietor. In connection therewith he now also has a restaurant and confectionery department, cigars, and tobacco, a fancy grocery department and does a general bakery business. His store is up to date in all its departments, and he enjoys a large and profitable trade.

    Mr. Cote is a native son of St. Charles, Missouri, born May 14, 1879, a son of John B. and Sophia (Osgood) Cote, both of whom were also born in that state, and the father was of Canadian French descent. He enlisted as a private in a Missouri regiment during the Civil War, and served as a soldier for three years, in the mean time being advanced to the position of a corporal. Soon after the close of the war he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked for others and remained there until his death in 1886. His wife died seven years later, on the 14th of August.

    On the 28th of September, 1901, L. E. Cote was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Doernhoefer, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 20, 1878, a daughter of John Conrad and Katherine (Lykam) Doernhoefer, who were also from the fatherland. The father was a farmer and died in that country on the 26th of May, 1904, and the mother is still living there. Mr. Cote is independent in politics and is a member of the Catholic Church at Sullivan.

Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 404.