University of Minnesota - Gopher Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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During the latter years of Mr. Cole's life there was a great change in this respect. After opening an office in St. Paul, where' he spent his time for ten years immediately preceding his death, his life was less anxious and more social. He cul- tivated friendships. He left his business, except on rare occasions. behind him, and delighted in recounting the events of history and the tales of fiction. He read extensively in both and, possessing that rare gift of memory both retentive and ready, he would enlighten and delight his friends upon the train, in his ot1ice or about the court. He was called to be a candidate for the United States Senate, on several occasions. His name was often before the people as a suitable person for Governor, or Congressman, but he had a constitutional aversion to pressing himself forward, and always felt that unless fairly and freely placed upon him such honors were worthless. He was not without political ambition, but he was destitute of that peculiar power of forming political combinations for his own aggrandizement which often wins wheregenuine merit fails. He felt peculiarly honored by his position upon the Board of Regents of the University, and was deeply interested in all that pertained to its well being. In his death the University lost a devoted friend, the legal profession a learned lawyer, and the State a patriotic citizen. W. S. PATTEE. s my KW 'ffl . ,fy rw- llr'f-.'- ,,uow .ffii .' ,L 44.1 , ,. Lil - , ' V 'L v. 4'-54 'P ' gn., .FA V-L.-. -yxtif I 'ff '-, , ,h ni . ' a'Q ':jg1,- HJ. ,Z-gif, , .4e,,wQi. ' f 1 'ftiffitfyi 'T' fl ,, vr3'i2,, jpg .1 rw.

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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.

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