MS 47  Cole family diaries

Creator/Compiler Clark Remich & W. [Weymouth] Harris Cole
Repository Dyer Library Archives & Special Collections
Inclusive Dates 1878-1924
Bulk Dates 1878-1924
Collection Size 1 linear foot 
Bio/Hist. Notes Clark Remich Cole was born January 1, 1841 in Alfred, Maine worked on his family farm. He also served in the Civil War in the 12th regiment. He married Mary Foss Weymouth on July 28, 1867. He purchased the farm from the Masons around the 1880s. He and his wife, Mary, had 7 children—6 sons and 1 daughter. All sons had names that started with “W”. Weymouth Harris Cole, born Jan 13, 1879, liked to be called “Harris” instead of “Weymouth.” He took over the Cole Farm after his father’s death. Weymouth Harris Cole, had 2 sons and a daughter. The eldest son, Robert Cole, Sr. worked both as a teacher and a farmer. Robert Cole, Sr. took over the farm business after Weymouth’s death and then turned the farm business over to his sons, Robert Jr. and Gordon. Robert Cole, Jr. sold the farm in 1981.

The Cole Dairy Farm was located on the Hollis Road in what is now Dayton, Maine. W. Harris was one of the many members of the Cole family who spent his time on the farm, keeping it going. What began as a small dairy farm during the late 1800’s quickly turned into one of the larger dairy farms in the city of Saco. By the time W. Harris’s son (Robert) was old enough to walk he began to help his dad run the farm. After the death of W. Harris Cole, Robert took over the farm and by 1929 the farm began to expand its market to selling ice cream, butter, cottage cheese and fruit drinks. By this time there were 50 dairy farms in the city of Saco alone. Even with the added competition the Cole Farm was still able to turn a profit and soon the Cole Dairy Farm trucks were seen all through surrounding towns. Unfortunately, Robert Cole sold the business in 1981 selling most of the land and auctioning off 155 purebred Holstein cows .
Scope/Content Notes This series contains a collection of journals written from 1878-1924. The journals are daily reports on both the weather and happenings that are taking place on the farm. The Journals are written by two members of the Cole family, Clark Remich Cole (1841-1915) and W. Harris Cole.
Provenance These are facsimiles of original personal diaries written by Carl Remich and Weymouth Harris Cole. They were copied from the original diaries by Dewey and Marge Thompson during the summer of 1982. Because there are know accession records, I can only presume that the originals are still with the family and we received these copies from the Thompsons’ as a gift.
Restrictions Unrestricted
Series Descriptions Series 1. Clark Remich Cole Diary. [fascimili]
Series 2. W. [Weymouth] Harris Cole  
[fascimili]
Organizaton of Series Series 1. Clark Remich Cole Diary
  • Dec. 1878-April 1898
Series 2. W. [Weymouth] Harris Cole
  • Jan. 1899-Oct. 1901
  • Nov. 1902-May 1905
  • June 1905-July 1908
  • July 23, 1908-Dec. 31, 1914
  • Jan. 1915-March 1918
  • March 1918-July 1921
  • Aug. 1, 1921-Apr. 19, 1924

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