William R. Bole    

WILLIAM R. BOLE, attorney at law, Meadville, was born in Venango Township, this county, October 15, 1838, son of David M. and Mary D. (Clark) Bole, who were of Scotch-Irish descent and natives of this county.

David M. Bole, who lives in this county, was a member of the State Legislature (1848), and has held nearly every office in the gift of the township of which he is a resident. His father, grandfather of our subject, immigrated to this county from the north of Ireland about 1798. He married in this county, engaged in farming and rapidly acquired considerable property. He was prominently engaged in public enterprises, notably the pike road from Meadville to Waterford, this county. He died at the age of seventy-two. His family numbered six children—three boys and three girls—of whom are now living David M., John, William and Martha, all residents of this county. Our subject, the eldest of a family of ten children, was reared on a farm and attended the common schools till he was seventeen years of age. Most of his time from then till he was twenty-two years old was spent in Meadville Academy, Edinboro State Normal School, Allegheny College, in teaching school and in the study of his chosen profession. After reading law for a year with A. B. Richmond, he commenced a practice which he has continued successfully ever since. He was married in 1862, to Martha S., daughter of Frederick: Pendleton, of this county, who bore him one child—Robert C. She died in 1881, at Meadville. In politics Mr. Bole is a Democrat.