Source: Greenwood Library Scrapbook Collection

MARSHFIELD NEWS HERALD 12/ /1942

ILLNESS FATAL TO DR. B.A. COLE, 85
RITES WILL BE HELD FRIDAY FOR RETIRED CLARK COUNTY PHYSICIAN

Greenwood--Dr. Beder A. Cole, 85, who retired as a practicing physician in 1911 to engage in farming in the Town of Butler, Clark County, because of his health, died at 2:45 Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 15, 1942 at his home. He developed a bronchial cold about a week ago after having been in poor health for the past two years.

Mr. Cole, son of the late Gilman and Sarah Cole, was born in Reedsburg, Sauk County, Jan. 17, 1877, and received his education at Woodstock, after which he taught school at Ripon for a time.
Entering medical school at Iowa City, Iowa, he later was graduated from Henneman Medical School in Chicago, and was married May 1, 1888, to Martha J. Cumpston at the Cumpston home in Vernon County. The Coles observed their golden wedding anniversary four years ago.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cole went to West Lima, Richland Center, where Mr. Cole practiced until poor health forced him to retire in May 1911. Since that time they had resided on a farm in Butler Township.

Surviving besides his widow are a son, Bird Cole, at home four daughters, Mrs. Henry (Sarah) Dittner, Thorp Mrs. George (Mary) Steinhaus, Cornell Mrs. George (Bethel) Beckman, Eau Claire and Mrs. Leonard (Lois) Johnson, and four great-grandchildren.

The last member of the family, Mr. Cole was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and a sister, and by a grandchild.

Funeral services have been arranged for 11 o'clock Friday morning at the Cole home, where the body will lie in state. Interment will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery.