A Cyclopædia of Canadian Biography: Brief biographies of persons distinguished in the professional, military and political life, and the commerce and industry of Canada, in the twentieth century
History
A Cyclopædia of Canadian Biography: Brief biographies of persons distinguished in the professional, military and political life, and the commerce and industry of Canada, in the twentieth century
Canada -- Biography
the gift of his fellow-citizens. He was a member of the Town Council of
Brockville for fourteen years; a director for many years, and president
of the Johnstown Mutual Fire Insurance Company; a member of the
Independent Order of Oddfellows for many years, filling various offices
in the local lodge and also in the Grand lodge and Grand Encampment. He
was chosen by his brethren to fill the position of Grand Master the year
the Sovereign Grand Lodge met in Toronto, in September, 1880, who were
entertained by their Ontario brethren. He always took an active part in
everything that would advance the interests of his native town. In
connection with the late Allan Turner, he worked for many years to
obtain a system of waterworks for Brockville, and in 1881 they organized
a company, consisting of Allan Turner, John McMullen, Thomas Gilmour,
George A. Dana, and Wilmot H. Cole, to construct waterworks; and as a
result of the efforts of these gentlemen, Brockville has now a most
excellent system of water supply for all purposes. Colonel Cole was
elected a member of the Legislature of the Province of Ontario for the
Brockville riding, in the Liberal interest, at the general elections in
1875, and was a warm supporter of the Mowat Government. He received the
appointment of Registrar for the County of Leeds in February, 1882. He
was president of the Brockville Loan and Savings Company. Col. Cole was
a member of the Methodist Church, and for over fifty years a trustee of
the Wall Street Church in Brockville, and was looked upon by his fellow
church members as ready to assist in carrying forward all enterprises
for the benefit of the church. Col. Cole married Jane Adelaide, youngest
daughter of the late Abram Philips, of New York. Their family consisted
of four children, two sons and two daughters. The sons, following the
traditions of the family, entered the volunteer force very early. The
elder, Eugene Maurice Cole, was bugler in the Brockville Rifle Company
in 1866, and did duty with that company whenever on service; he
subsequently became lieutenant, after which he resigned, having removed
from Brockville. The youngest son, Capt. George Marshall Cole, was
captain of No. 4 company, 41st battalion. The latest enterprise which
Col. Cole had been connected with and will eventually benefit his native
town more than all the others, was the Brockville, Westport and Sault
Ste. Marie Railway. The idea of a railway from Brockville to Westport
had been entertained, and a charter was procured, but nothing further
was done, and after a time the charter expired. Subsequently, Eugene M.
Cole, who was in business in New York City, and enjoyed commercial
relations with gentlemen interested in building railways and other
public works, conceived the idea that a line of railway from Brockville
to Sault Ste. Marie would prove an advantageous route in many ways, and
at the same time benefit his native town. After much labor in gathering
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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