Background
Cole, Ernest E. was born on November 18, 1871 in Savona, New York, United States. Son of Aaron and Elmina (Orcutt) Cole.
politician member of the New York State Senate
Cole, Ernest E. was born on November 18, 1871 in Savona, New York, United States. Son of Aaron and Elmina (Orcutt) Cole.
Graduate Haverling Academy, Bath, New York, 1892. Bachelor of Laws, Cornell Univercity, 1895. Doctor of Pedagogy, New York State College for Teachers, 1927.
Doctor of Laws, from Alfred, University, 1930, Colgate University, 1942, University State of New York, 1942.
He was admitted to the state bar the same year. After graduating from Cornell, Cole served as the principal of high schools at Greenwood, Painted Post, and Addison. In 1941, he received an honorary degree in Doctor of Pedagogy from Oglethorpe University.
He entered politics as a Republican.
Based upon his background as an educator, Cole became a leader in the legislature on matters of education, and became chairman of the senate committee on public education during his tenure in that body. In this capacity, he sponsored the "Cole Laws" of 1925, which helped fund local school districts within constitutional limitations.
The bills were called "a long step in the improvement of the State"s educational system."
In recognition of Cole"s leadership on these issues, he was appointed counsel of the State on July 1, 1926. Two years later, he was made a deputy commissioner of the, and in 1940 he was made commissioner.
Cole retired from the department in 1942.
He died on November 19, 1949. He was buried at Seamans Cemetery in Savona.
He was a member of the Freemasons, and the Odd Fellows. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Steuben Company, 1st Doctorate) in 1920, 1921 and 1922. And a member of the New York State Senate from 1923 to 1926, sitting in the 146th, 147th, 148th and 149th New York State Legislatures.
Married Minnie M. Pierce, December 31, 1896. Children: Robert Ernest, William Sterling, James Pierce.