W. H. COLES, one of the younger representative business men of Troy, identified with large enterprises here and at other points, was born at Troy, Ohio, in 1875, and is a son of T. E. Coles, for many years the leading hardware merchant here and now a most highly esteemed retired citizen.

W. H. Coles graduated from the Troy High School in 1892 and then entered Amherst College, where he was graduated in the class of 1897, with the degree of A. B. The following two years he devoted to learning business methods in his father's store and for eight subsequent years served as secretary of the Hobart Company. In 1905 he organized the W. H. Coles Sales Company, for the manufacture and distribution of electrical machinery. He is also general manager and one-half owner of the Skinner Irrigation Company. He has succeeded as a business man both through natural ability and his energy, system and practical knowledge.

Mr. Coles was married in 1902, to Miss Fannie Thompson, who is a daughter of W. R. Thompson, of Troy, and they have one daughter, Charlotte Louise. Mr. Coles is a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Troy and is superintendent of the Sunday-school . He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to the Troy Club.