Cornelius Cole
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2013) |
Cornelius Cole | |
---|---|
United States Senator from California | |
In office March 4, 1867 – March 4, 1873 | |
Preceded by | James A. McDougall |
Succeeded by | Aaron A. Sargent |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's at-large district | |
In office March 4, 1863 – March 4, 1865 | |
Preceded by | Timothy Guy Phelps |
Succeeded by | Seat eliminated |
Personal details | |
Born | Lodi, New York, U.S. | September 17, 1822
Died | November 3, 1924 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 102)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Olive Colegrove |
Alma mater | Wesleyan University |
Profession | Lawyer |
Signature | |
Cornelius Cole (September 17, 1822 – November 3, 1924) was an American politician who served a single term in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican representing California from 1863 to 1865, and another term in the United States Senate from 1867 to 1873. Cole, who died at the age of 102 years, 47 days, is the longest-lived U.S. Senator.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Cornelius Cole was born on September 17, 1822, in Lodi, New York. He received his education at local common schools, Ovid Academy in Ovid, Lima Seminary in Lima, and Hobart College in Geneva. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 1847 and was admitted to the New York bar. In his lifetime he practiced law in his adopted state of California first in San Francisco, then in Sacramento.[2]
Political career
[edit]On March 8, 1856, Cole was one of the organizers of the California branch of the Republican Party, acting as secretary and writing the manifesto. The 22 men who signed the organizing document included Edwin B. Crocker, the organizer of the new party, and Collis Potter Huntington. From August 1856 to January 1857, Cole and James McClatchy edited the Sacramento Daily Times, which was printed in the 54 K Street offices of the Central Pacific Railroad. It was short lived, lasting only a few months after the 1856 National election.
Additionally, he was nominated on the Republican ticket for Clerk of Sacramento Court but failed to get elected. In 1858 he was elected as District Attorney of Sacramento County. In 1862 he and his family moved to Santa Cruz located on Monterey Bay. It was from there he went to the US Congress in 1863.
In 1880 he moved to southern California where he owned one of the original Spanish/Mexican land grants, what is now known as Hollywood, then was dubbed Colegrove after his wife, Olive Colegrove.[citation needed] There are several streets now named after the family; Cole St., Willoughby Ave., Eleanor St. and Seward St.
The eastern California community of Coleville in Mono County is named for Cornelius Cole.
Cole's brother, George W. Cole, was a Union Army officer in the American Civil War who attained the rank of major general by brevet. After the war, George Cole was acquitted of the murder of L. Harris Hiscock, whom he accused of having an affair with Mrs. Cole.[citation needed]
Later life
[edit]After returning to California following his retirement from national politics, he practiced in San Francisco again and finally in Los Angeles with his eldest son Willoughby. He would die there on November 3, 1924, at the age of 102 as a result of contracting pneumonia, making him the longest-lived U.S. Senator to this day.
References
[edit]- Cornelius Cole, "Memoirs" (New York, 1908)
- Catherine Coffin Phillips, "Cornelius Cole California Pioneer" (San Francisco, 1929)
- Leonard L. Richards, "The California Gold Rush and the Coming of the Civil War" (New York 2007)
- United States Congress. "Cornelius Cole (id: C000607)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
External links
[edit]- Media related to Cornelius Cole at Wikimedia Commons
- Cornelius Cole at Find a Grave
- 1822 births
- 1924 deaths
- 19th-century American lawyers
- 19th-century American legislators
- American men centenarians
- Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- California lawyers
- Editors of California newspapers
- New York (state) lawyers
- People from Lodi, New York
- People of California in the American Civil War
- Republican Party United States senators from California
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California
- Wesleyan University alumni