Background
He was the son of Ira H. Cole, a farmer.
He was the son of Ira H. Cole, a farmer.
Here he studied law in the office of O. P. Hurd, then Surrogate of Schuyler County.
In 1876, he moved to Watkins in Schuyler County. He was admitted to the bar, and became Clerk of the Surrogate Court. In October 1889, he was defeated by Charles T. Saxton in his quest for the Republican nomination to run for the New York State Senate in the 29th District.
He was buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Watkins (now Watkins Glen), New York
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Schuyler Company) in 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888 and 1889. And was Speaker in 1888 and 1889.