In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1909) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909), The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; (1882)
ELIJAH J. COLER, manufacturer, P. O., Liberty, was born in Jefferson Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, July 16, 1853, and is the eldest son of Noah Coler, one of the leading farmers of this township, whose sketch appears in this work. He grew up on the homestead, remaining with his parents until of age, during which time he partially learned the art of working in wood, his mind ever leaning towards mechanical construction. In the fall of 1876 he invented a patent gate, receiving his patent in Jan. 1877, upon which he has since improved, until to-day it is recognized as one of the best, if not the best gate in the market. He manufactured this gate first at New Lebanon, but in 1880 removed to Liberty, where in the fall of 1881, he erected a commodious shop where all classes of general jobbing is done, besides the manufacture of his gate, two sorts of which he is making, viz.: '‘Coler’s Automatic” and “Coler’s Duplex,” the latter being the one most in demand, as it always opens from the horses and never freezes fast in cold weather, advantages that can be thoroughly appreciated by all who may have used a patent gate. He has manufactured hundreds of these gates, sending them throughout Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, also to the East, and everywhere they have given good satisfaction. Mr. Coler was married Feb. 3, 1881, to Laura E. Gifford, of Preble Co., Ohio, whose father is dead, but her mother is yet residing in that county. Mr. Coler’s success is the result of his own efforts, having personally introduced his gate throughout those States mentioned, and his future may be justly urged from the past.
As printed in The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ELIJAH J. COLER.
When one sees Elijah J. Coler quietly, diligently and carefully managing his mercantile interests as the senior partner of the firm of Coler & Kunes, proprietors of a general! farmers’ supply store, it seems hardly possible to realize that he has been the center of several adventures as thrilling as any that appear on the pages of fiction. His life, however, has been varied in its interests and its experiences, and throughout his entire record he has held to high standards and has thus merited the esteem and regard which are so uniformly accorded him. Five years ago he established the store which he is now conducting and which is one of the few of the kind in Montgomery county. He is the proprietor and is carrying a line of goods that includes everything demanded by the farmers.
Mr. Coler was born in Jefferson township near Liberty on the old Coler homestead, July 16, 1853, and is a son of Noah and Eliza (Gregg) Coler. The father was a farmer who came to Ohio from Maryland in company with his parents when three years of age. The journey westward was made by wagon through the wilderness unaccompanied by any other travelers. Here Noah Coler was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life and eventually became a prominent farmer, owning and controlling an extensive tract of land which he transformed into rich and arable fields, successfully gathering therefrom abundant harvests. He died about five years ago and his remains were interred in the Woodland cemetery in Dayton. He was a son of John and Elizabeth Coler the former a native of Germany, who, on coming to the new World, settled on a tract of land in Maryland. He lived there for some years before his removal to Ohio, and then casting in his lot with the early settlers of Montgomery county, when this was a frontier district, he continued in active association with its farming interests until his demise. His grave was made in Twin Creek cemetery in Preble county.
Elijah J. Coler, whose name introduces this review, pursued his education in the common schools and through the periods of vacation worked with his father on the home farm. He also attended the Normal School in Lebanon, Ohio, in
1873. Subsequently he returned to Dayton, where he pursued a course in the Miami Commercial College, and in due time he was graduated. After putting aside his text-books he returned to the farm where he remained for three years. Many interesting and eventful experiences have been his portion in life. During the war he was made the means of communication between Liberty and Dayton, for he was a little lad at the time and no one would suspect that he was upon any errand of importance. He would mount a horse and ride bareback into Dayton to the Winters Bank, which was then the oldest bank in the county, and there would leave a message and perhaps receive one to be taken to Liberty. It was a time of much danger in this section of the country for the spirit df unrest was here manifest and there was always the threatened danger of invasion.
When a young man Mr. Coler engaged in teaming and had various exciting adventures during that period. At one time, while carrying a large amount of money, he was followed by a highway robber who jumped into his wagon on an old covered bridge in Dayton, but Mr. Coler knocked him out with the butt end of his black snake whip, which made a very dangerous weapon. On another occasion he was held up near the Soldiers Home when two men tried to grab his horse, but he hit the horse with his whip and it started at a gallop. At the same time Mr. Coler pulled out his gun and several shots were exchanged.
During his early manhood Mr. Coler learned the patternmaking trade but never worked at it as a business. He made a trip to the west for educational purposes and spent about six months in that part of the country, making a close study of conditions that there existed. At one time Mr. Coler was engaged in the general repair business in Liberty. He also patented a gate and self-unloading wagon which he manufactured at that town. He is still working on the wagon, for which he has a good sale in this part of the country. About five years ago he established his present business, conducting a general farmers supply store. The firm carrying everything needed on the farm, the business being conducted under the firm style of Coler & Kunes. Mr. Coler, however, is the owner of the establishment and displays marked enterprise in its management and control.
On the 3d of February, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Coler and Miss Laura E. Gifford, a daughter of William and Ermina (Fudge) Gifford. Her parents were Preble county farming people of English descent who removed from New Jersey to this state. They became very prominent and influential in the community, enjoying in large measure the high regard of those who knew them. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coler have been born seven children: Grace, the wife of Guy Kunes, employed in Mr. Coler’s store, by whom, she has two children, Ruth and Etina; four who have passed away; Katherine, a high school student in the sophomore year; and Naomi, also a school student.
Mr. Coler belongs to Oak Lodge, No. 265, I. O. O. F., in New Lebanon, and has passed through all of the chairs of the order. He is also a member of the Lutheran church and is prominent in its work, taking an active interest in everything pertaining to its growth and the extension of its influence. He and his wife have traveled quite extensively and they visited many expositions, thus gaining knowledge not only of the work of America but also of the world. On one trip to Detroit they were caught in a very severe storm on Lake Erie but at length landed in safety. They occupy one of the fine modern homes of Trotwood, their house containing ten rooms which are attractively and comfortably furnished. It is situated on Main street and is justly celebrated for its hospitality, which is freely accorded to all.
As printed in History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1909. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.