University of Minnesota - Gopher Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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HON. GORDON E. COLE

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In 1865 Gen. Sibley was appointed brevet major general of volunteers in the United States Army, for efficient and mer- itorious services. Retiring to civil life, he was occupied thereafter in the care of his large business interests, and in the numerous public trusts confided to hin1 by his fellow citizens in city and state. Among the high minded and wise men who struggled so long to redeem Minnesota from the disgrace of repudiation, Gen. Sibley was among the foremost, and with voice and pen he labored incessantly to inform the intelligence and arouse the conscience of the people. At last these efforts attained their object. The vexed question of the repudiated bonds was settled-and settled in the interest of the honor of the state. And it is a source of pride to the university that the president of its board of regents, and others to whom the institution is indebted, were active and influential in secur- ing such a victory. One of the first important measures of the new territory of Minnesota was to provide for an institution of higher education. An act was passed or- ganizing a territorial university. The first board of re- gents, twelve in number, were elected by the legislature on the 4th of March, 1851. Nearly the highest vote cast on the first ballot was that received by H. H. Sibley, and he was cor- respondingly fortunate at the subsequent drawing in securing the long term of six years. At the expiration of this period he was revlected, Jan. 19, 1857, for a second term of six years. In February, 1860, however, the political complexion of the legislature being radically changed. Mr. Sibley, with the rest of the board, was legislated out of ofrlee. In 1868 the univers- ity was reorganized, preparatory to its definite opening, and in the'following year fJan. 22, 18695, H. H. Sibley was ap- pointed tothe new board by Gov. Wm. R. Marshall. From that time until his death he served continuously. In 1876 he was chosen president of the board, a position that he held throughout the remainder of his life. As a regent, Gen. Sibley was most untiring and efficient. He had a high ideal of what an institution of learning ought to be, and under his administration the affairs of the univers- ity were always kept out of partisan politics and administered with a rare degree of fidelity and intelligence. u Gen Sibley showed his interest in matters pertaining to culture in many ways. He was the author ofa considerable number of historical papers and addresses of no small value. His attainments and useful industry were recognized by Princeton College in 1888, that venerable institution bestow- ing upon him the honorary degree of doctor of laws. The distinguished citizen who so long has done honor to the University of Minnesotaas the head of its governing body, has gone to his rest. The best tribute to hls memory is the hope and belief that the story of his life may be an incentive to worthy emulation through many coming generations.

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ORdOl'l- Gola. HAT Minnesota is today, is largely due to the character of the men who shaped her policies, in the days of her territorial existence and early statehood. Her political, in- dustrial and educational standing is the outgrowth of their wisdom and management. Among those early settlers, and one who from the very beginning was identified with early legislation in this territory and state was the subject of this brief article. Mr. Cole was born in Cheshire, Berkshire County, Mass., on the 18th day of June, 1833. He was educated in the schools of his native state, graduating from the Dane Law School of Harvard University in 1854. He came to Minnesota in 1856, and settled in the town of Faribault in 1857, where he con- tinued to reside up to the time of his death. He entered upon the practice of his profession at that place, and from the very first was recognized by the Bench and Bar as one of the most industrious and successful lawyers in the State. He was elected Attorney General of the State soon after its admission into the Union. and at once took 'a prominent part in shaping its policy on all questions of im- portance. For many years he was either in one or the other branch of the State Legislature, and he was always ambitious for the development and welfare of the commonwealth. He was a Republican in politics, but party ties never drew him away from the course which promised the greatest good and the highest praise of his adopted State. Neither was politics ever permitted to divert his attention from the one chosen purpose of his life. If he had one great ambition which was chiefly dear to him personally it was to stand in the very front rank of his profession. He early took his place there and held it up to the moment of his death. He will always be re- membered as patriotic, willing to sacrifice time and put forth effort in behalf of his State, and will always stand out in the memory of his cotemporaries and be known hereafter as a great and successful lawyer. He possessed a legal mind and an honest heartg and to the few men who were permitted to share his confidence, he will always remain an inspiration and a moral strength. Quick perceptions, unusual will power and unswerving integrity, supported and driven by untiring en- ergy, characterized and distinguished him. He was true to his clients and to his friends. He had the courage of his con- victions always, and could tell his friends their faults which is many times a most difficult task. He confided in but few 4 often giving the impression to those about him, that he was coolly indifferent to their presence or their needsg but a fuller acquaintance detected the cause of such apparent indifference and located it in the intensely pre-occupied mind, rather than in a -naturally unsympathetie heart. Charles Sumner has said that the practice of the law dries up the generous currents of the soul. If at the early age of 21 years, one enters upon the engrossing cares and anxieties of a large legal practice, the exactions of which are unequalled by those of any other pro- fession, it is not strange that middle life shall have taken on the appearance of chilly indifference.