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STORY INDEX Population of Indiana's
northeast counties Tracking railroads: Longtime area auto dealers have 'seen it all' Amish continue long-held
traditions Cars accelerate lives of Noble County residents The price of cars: How much did it cost to drive one off the lot? Electric Interurban connected area to Fort Wayne, beyond LaGrange residents rally to save historic brick streets U.S. 6, Ind. 3: Kendallville's routes to growth Agriculture ever-changing, advancing in Noble County Comparisons: How far did the dollar stretch? Growing onions, peppermint made 'scents' in early 1900s The Gaby farm: A changing culture impacts 4-H County fair continues to be a big social event Thriving through the times: Downtown Kendallville adapts to a century of changes Dekko's philanthropy remains a 'valuable resource' Rinkel family still at the wheel of Greenfield Hills Commerce nothing new to Shipshewana: Town thrives as one of fastest-growing tourist areas in state Making do during the Great Depression: Retired hatchery owner recalls tough times, bright moments Mill a 'Star' business in Ligonier: Firm has been grinding wheat into flour for 113 years Elmer E. McCray had a major impact on Kendallville Richard R. Cole has long legacy Female executive has seen many changes in workforce Working women: From assisting war effort to competing in global markets Wolcottville a center of commerce, industry in 1800s Mongoquinong area was early LaGrange County commercial center 'The cheapest hired hand we ever had.' Electricity made life brighter, easier down on the farm Monument company's history set in stone Historic Corn School dates back to 1906
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Richard R. Cole has long legacy By TERRY HOUSHOLDER The News-Sun
KENDALLVILLE - It's been nearly
35 years since the death of Richard R. ''Dick'' Cole, but The son of a prominent Kendallville attorney, Cole helped merge Kendallville Foundry Inc. into Flint & Walling Co. 45 years ago, and headed the new industrial complex until his death in January 1965. In the early 1960s, Cole, who never married, helped create the Olive B. Cole Foundation, named in honor of his mother, who died in 1968 at the age of 96. The foundation is operated out of offices in Fort Wayne by a board of directors which has representatives from Noble County. That philanthropic vehicle, with assets of $32 million today, has donated millions of dollars to the benefit of Noble County agencies and individuals over the years. Among the major donations the foundation has made over the years includes substantial contributions to the Cole Center Family YMCA in Kendallville, $1 million for the building of the Cole Auditorium at East Noble High School and $1 million to McCray Memorial Hospital in Kendallville. Other major gifts have gone to the Kendallville and Albion park departments and to the Central Noble auditorium fund drive.
In addition, the foundation gives between $150,000 to $200,000 to college-bound Noble County scholars annually. Born April 7, 1903, in Findlay, Ohio, Cole came to Kendallville with his parents, John J. and Olive B. Cole, in 1914. His father, who was one of 16 children, had practiced law in Findlay for 20 years and served another 21 years as an attorney in Kendallville until his death in 1935. He had been associated with the late Clarence R. Finley in the practice of law. Cole attended Kendallville High School along with private schools, including the Asheville Military Academy in North Carolina. Cole chose business as his career. He joined the Kendallville Foundry Inc. in 1939. He rose to the highest level of management and in 1954 succeeded in merging the foundry into Flint & Walling Inc.
Flint & Walling was founded as a windmill production plant in the mid-19th century. By the middle of the 20th century it was a major pump manufacturer in the country. Upon the merger, Cole took over the presidency of the company and in the late 1950s completed a major expansion and modernization of Flint & Walling. It added new water systems to its line of products. In early 1957, the firm completed a 42,000-square-foot expansion along East Mitchell Street and by May 1957, another 36,000-square-foot addition was added. In 1960, under Cole's tenure, production capacity increased 50 percent. Cole was actively involved in Kendallville civic endeavors. He was a member of the Kendallville Lodge 1194, BPOE. As a pilot, he was interested in development of the Kendallville Municipal Airport.
Noted for his private charity, he quietly sent several young men through college, paid hospital bills for a number of people who were ill and without funds, and bought clothes and food for needy families. ''He really was a generous man,'' said Gwen Tipton of Kendallville, a retired Flint & Walling Inc. employee who served as Cole's personal secretary for five years, beginning in 1960.
''He was a softy when it came to kids. Deep down he really cared for them and for the employees of Flint & Walling. He felt strongly about establishing the scholarship program through the foundation. Tipton, who still serves on the Olive B. Cole Foundation board of directors, said Cole was also devoted to his mother, naming the foundation he established after her. Cole died unexpectedly of pneumonia and heart disease in January 1965. He was 61 years old. His legacy of service to others lives on with the continued support to the community through the foundation that he established. |
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the industrial executive's impact
is still evident in the Noble County community.
