Cornelius Cole
![]() | This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (March 2013) |
Cornelius Cole | |
---|---|
![]() | |
United States Senator from California | |
In office March 4, 1867 – March 3, 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 3, 1865 | |
Preceded by | Timothy Guy Phelps |
Succeeded by | Seat eliminated |
Personal details | |
Born | Lodi, New York | September 17, 1822
Died | November 3, 1924 Hollywood, California | (aged 102)
Political party | Republican |
Alma mater | Wesleyan University |
Profession | Politician |
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.
Life[]
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. 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.
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 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 landgrants, what is now known as Hollywood, then was dubbed Colegrove after his wife, Olive Colegrove. 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.
References[]
- 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[]
Media related to Cornelius Cole at Wikimedia Commons
- Cornelius Cole at Find a Grave
- 1822 births
- 1924 deaths
- Wesleyan University alumni
- California lawyers
- New York (state) lawyers
- Editors of California newspapers
- United States senators from California
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from California
- People of California in the American Civil War
- American centenarians
- Men centenarians
- California Republicans
- People from Lodi, New York
- Republican Party United States senators
- Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- 19th-century American lawyers