Cornelius Cole | |
|---|---|
 Portrait byMathew Bradyc. 1860–1865 | |
| United States Senator fromCalifornia | |
| In office March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1873 | |
| Preceded by | James A. McDougall |
| Succeeded by | Aaron A. Sargent |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia'sat-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 | |
| Preceded by | Timothy Guy Phelps |
| Succeeded by | Seat eliminated |
| Member of theRepublican National Committee fromCalifornia | |
| In office 1856–1860 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | David W. Cheesman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1822-09-17)September 17, 1822 Lodi, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 3, 1924(1924-11-03) (aged 102) Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations | National Union |
| Spouse | Olive Colegrove (m. 1853) |
| Children | 9 |
| Alma mater | Wesleyan University |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States (Union) |
| Service | California Militia |
| Years of service | 1863 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 1st California Cavalry Battalion |
| Commands | Santa Cruz Troop, 1st California Cavalry Battalion |
| Wars | American Civil War |
Cornelius Cole (September 17, 1822 – November 3, 1924) was an American politician who served a single term in theUnited States House of Representatives as aRepublican representing California from 1863 to 1865, and another term in theUnited States Senate from 1867 to 1873. Cole, who died at the age of102 years, 47 days, is the longest-lived U.S. Senator.
Cornelius Cole was born inLodi, New York on September 17, 1822.[1] He received his education at localcommon schools, Ovid Academy inOvid, Lima Seminary inLima, andHobart College inGeneva.[1] He graduated fromWesleyan University ofMiddletown, Connecticut in 1847,studied law withWilliam H. Seward, and wasadmitted to the bar in 1848.[1][2] After a year mining gold in California, in 1849 he began to practice law, first inSan Francisco, then inSacramento.[1]
On March 8, 1856, Cole was one of the organizers of the California branch of theRepublican Party, acting as secretary and writing its initial manifesto.[2] He served on theRepublican National Committee from 1856 to 1860.[1] From August 1856 to January 1857, Cole andJames McClatchy edited theSacramento Daily Times.[3]
Additionally, he was nominated on the Republican ticket for Clerk of Sacramento Court but was unsuccessful. In 1858 he was electedDistrict Attorney ofSacramento County.[1] In 1862 he and his family moved to Santa Cruz.[1] During theAmerican Civil War, Cole supported theUnion.[4] In 1863, he was commissioned as acaptain after winning an election to command the Santa Cruz Cavalry Troop, a unit he helped raise for theCalifornia Militia.[4][5] He did actively command because he had been elected to Congress.[4]
In 1862, Cole was elected to theUnited States House of Representatives as aUnion Republican, and he served one term, March 4 1863 to March 3, 1865.[1] On November 19, 1863, Cole traveled toGettysburg, Pennsylvania withAbraham Lincoln.[6] He was on the speaker's platform near Lincoln, and both heard and saw him deliver theGettysburg Address.[6] On April 14, 1865, Cole spoke with Lincoln a few hours before Lincolnwas assassinated.[6]
In1865, he was elected to theUnited States Senate, serving one term from March 4, 1867 to March 3, 1873.[1] During his final two years as a senator, Cole served as chairman of theAppropriations Committee.[7] He was also one of the senators who voted in favor of theImpeachment of Andrew Johnson.[8]
After returning to California following his retirement from politics, he practiced law in San Francisco andLos Angeles.[1] In 1880, he moved toColegrove, where he lived in retirement.[1] Cole was the founder of Colegrove, a settlement he created on land that had been part ofRancho La Brea; he acquired the land from ownerHenry Hancock as payment for helping Hancock confirm title to Rancho La Brea.[9] Colegrove was named for Cole's wife, and several streets were named for his children, including Willoughby Avenue, Eleanor Street and Seward Street.[9] he turned 100 years old in 1922
Cole died ofpneumonia in Los Angeles on November 3, 1924.[1] He was buried atHollywood Forever Cemetery.[1]
At age 102, Cole is the longest-lived U.S. Senator.[8]
In January 1853, Cole married Olive Colegrove ofTrumansburg, New York.[10] They were the parents of nine children.[11]
Cole's brother,George W. Cole, was aUnion Army officer in theAmerican Civil War who attained the rank ofmajor general bybrevet.[12] After the war, George Cole was acquitted of the murder ofL. Harris Hiscock, whom he accused of having an affair with Mrs. Cole.[12]
Cole signed the sworn and certified oath required for his commission as a Captain in the California Militia.
Media related toCornelius Cole at Wikimedia Commons| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's at-large congressional district 1863–1865 | Seat eliminated |
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. senator (Class 3) from California 1867–1873 Served alongside:John Conness,Eugene Casserly | Succeeded by |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by John Conness | Oldest living U.S. senator January 10, 1909 – November 3, 1924 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Most senior living U.S. senator (Sitting or former) February 27, 1919 – November 3, 1924 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Oldest United States senator ever October 11, 1921 – present | Succeeded by Current |
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| Class 3 | ||
Chairs of theUnited States Senate Committee on Appropriations | ||
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| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
