Jasper Newton
Cole
June 15, 1887
Bryan, Texas
Jasper Newton Cole was born in Macon County, Alabama, January 14, 1837 died September 14, 1914.
His father was Ransom Cole who was born in Edeagfield District, South Carolina June 11, 1800. Jaspers
mother was Agatha Bostwich Cole who was born in 1806 and died December 1, 1854 when Jasper
was only 17 years old. The Coles were descendents of Daniel Cole an early settler of Virginia.
When the War between the States started, Jasper enlisted as a private in the Third Texas Calvary, Green’s Regiment. He served gallantly in the
Regiment Commanded by Col. Walter P. Lane. He
fought in the battles of Wilson Creek, Missouri, Elk
Horn or Pea Ridge Arkansas, Corinth, Mississippi,
and the Chattanooga, Tennessee Campaign. At
the end of the war he was still fighting in Georgia.
When he war ended he returned to his home in
Cass County, Texas. Jasper and two of his brothers traveled to Bryan, Texas in 1869 where they
established the Cole Bros., Mercantile Co. on Main
Street.
In those days , building materials were scarce so
Jasper went into the forest and fell and hewed the
logs to build his store.
Private CSA Jasper Newton Cole
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Jasper studied banking while still a young man and became a talented businessman. He established
the Merchants and Planter Bank in 1899 that is now the City National Bank. He served as Bank President and later also served as president of the Bryan Oil Mill, of the former light and water company
which he also organized. A man of many interests, he organized the Eagle Printing Co. and was
instrumental in securing the right of way for the International and Great Northern Railroad.
Jasper married Miss Nannie Elizabeth Walker October 21, 1869 died June 5, 1831. Nannie was the
daughter of Capt. James Walker, a pioneer of Brazos County. The union was blessed with eleven
children:
Nannie Elizabeth Walker Cole
1869
Nannie’s babies
1925
The Cole Girls in Their Beautiful Chapeaus
(l to r; standing) Mattie Cole Hall, May Cole Emory, Alma Cole Moore, Arrie Cole Johnson,& Ella
Cole Adams
(i to r, seated) Hazel Adams Astin, Naneen Hall Tuffly & Nelle Cole
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Nannie Walker Cole, born in this cabin, is seated on the porch.
Her father, Capt. Jasper Walker, built this cabin.
Nannie Cole and Her Family
l to r Mattie Cole Hall, Mae Cole Emory, Ella Cole Adams, Carl Cole, Nannie Walker Cole,
Ama Cole Moore, Arrie Cole Johnson, Nelle Cole & Ransom James Cole
1. Mattie Priscilla born August 18, 1870 in Bryan, Texas and died November 4, 1934. Sister Mattie lived across the street from her family home on East 24th Street all her life except for her last
few years that she lived with her daughter Naneen Tuffly in Dallas. She graduated from Bryan High
School in 1887. She married Lemuel Hall, a druggist, and they had two children, Naneen Hall Tuffly
and Mal Hall.
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2. J. May born October 9. 1973 in Bryan, Texas and died September 20, 1930. She was a Bryan
High School graduate 1890 and married Dr. George Woodward Emory. They owned and operated
the Hotel Emory House. The union was not blessed with children.
3. Ella Nora born September 27, 1874 in Bryan, Texas and died January 19, 1956. Ella was Valedictorian of her 1891 class at Bryan HS. She married William Saunders Adams and they had one
daughter. Hazel Delmo Adams. ( Hazel Nelson’s Mother) The family lived in San Antonio, Texas from
1918 to 1946 when Ella returned to Bryan for the remainder of her life.
4. Claud D. born August 14, 1876 died September 2, 1878. Baby Claud died of Diphtheria.
5. Earl Van Dorn born November 9, 1878 died July 10, 1880. Earl like his brother tragically died
of Diphtheria.
6. Carl Milton born December 5. 1880 died June 3, 1939. Carl married Nell Rohde and lived on
500 East 24th Street in a red brick home. They had no children. Carl was a business man and he
owned and managed Cole Brothers after his father’s death. He died of a heart attack on a fishing
trip with his friends.
7. Arrie F. B. born February
9, 1883 died August 5, 1964. She
attended Hollin’s College in Virginia and married William Chilton
Johnson. They lived in Beaumont,
Texas until William died in 1946.
Arrie returned to Bryan and set to
work restoring the family home
to it’s former beauty. She lived in
the home with her sister Ella and
brother Ransom until her death.
Arrie Cole Johnson with Will Johnson’s hunting dog
in front of her Bryan hom
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8. Alma Rose born May 2, 1886 died April 9,
1945, Alma was a student at Texas University when
she met a married Arthur Moore the son of Judge
Moore of Manord. The lived in the Moore family
home until her death and she is buried in the Texas
State //cemetery in Austin.
Alma Rose Cole Moore
9. Nelle born June 2, 1888 died November 14, 1938. Nellie was a fun loving young
women who never wanted anyone to know
her age. I was her namesake and we were
very close. Her dimples and giggles were
contagious. She planned to marry in the
1930’s but cancer was diagnosed and she
died at home.
10. Jasper Newton Jr. July 23, 1892 died
September 6, 1897
Young Nelle Cole about 1904
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11. Ransom James born February 7, 1895 died
June 19 1972 . Ransom lived his entire life in Brazos
County, Texas. He was a graduate of Allen Academy
and Texas A&M with a Master’s Degree. During
WW I he was one of the first cadets at Kelly Field.
He soloed in 8 hours and served Lieutenant in the
US Army Air Corp. He was an active member of the
American Legion and the Masons.
Ransom James Cole
Ransom James Cole at A&M
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Ransom James Cole in the Army Air Corp
Nannie Elizabeth Walker Cole’s home, 700 E. 24th St., Bryan, Texas
Jasper & Nannie with their grandchildren
l to r Hazel Adams Astin (Hazel Nelson’s Mother), Mal
Hall (seated) & Naneen Hall Tuffly
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Jasper and his youngest
daughter Nelle Cole
Bryan City Cemetary
Donated by: Hazel Nelson
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