Ernest E. Cole
Encyclopedia
Ernest E. Cole was a New York state lawmaker who served as Commissioner of Education of the State of New York
from 1940 to 1942.
. He graduated from Haverling High School in Bath
, and then attended Cornell University
, from which he graduated in 1895. 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
. He was a member of the Freemasons, and the Odd Fellows
.
to the State Assembly
and served there from 1920 to 1922. He was then elected to the State Senate
, where he served from 1923 to 1926. 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."
.
Cole retired from the department in 1942. He died on November 19, 1949, the day after his birthday. He was buried at Seamans Cemetery in Savona
.
Commissioner of Education of the State of New York
The Commissioner of Education of the State of New York is the head of the state education department. The Board of Regents chooses a Commissioner of Education who heads the State Education Department and also serves as the President of the University of the State of New York office...
from 1940 to 1942.
Early life and education
Cole was born in Savona, New YorkSavona, New York
Savona is a village in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 822 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Savona in Italy.The Village of Savona is located in the eastern part of the Town of Bath...
. He graduated from Haverling High School in Bath
Bath (village), New York
Bath is a village in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 5,641 at the 2000 census. Bath is the county seat of Steuben County. The community was named either for the English city or for Lady Bath, daughter of William Pulteney, one of the original landowners.The Village of...
, and then attended Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
, from which he graduated in 1895. He was admitted to the state bar the same year. After graduating from Cornell, Cole served as the principal of high schools at Greenwood
Greenwood, New York
Greenwood is a town in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 849 at the 2000 census.- History :A pioneer road was cut through the town in the 18th Century, but no settlers remained in the town....
, Painted Post
Painted Post, New York
Painted Post is a village in Steuben County, New York, United States. The village is in the town of Erwin, west of the city of Corning. The population was 1,842 at the 2000 census. The name comes from a painted and carved post found by explorers at the junction of three local rivers...
, and Addison
Addison (town), New York
Addison is a town in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 2,640 at the 2000 census. The name was selected to honor the author Joseph Addison....
. He was a member of the Freemasons, and the Odd Fellows
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows , also known as the Three Link Fraternity, is an altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization derived from the similar British Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 18th century, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were...
.
Political career
Returning home to Bath, Cole was elected as a RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
and served there from 1920 to 1922. He was then elected to the State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
, where he served from 1923 to 1926. 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."
Education Department
In recognition of Cole's leadership on these issues, he was appointed counsel of the State Education Department on July 1, 1926. Two years later, he was made a deputy commissioner of the Education Department, and in 1940 he was made commissionerCommissioner of Education of the State of New York
The Commissioner of Education of the State of New York is the head of the state education department. The Board of Regents chooses a Commissioner of Education who heads the State Education Department and also serves as the President of the University of the State of New York office...
.
Cole retired from the department in 1942. He died on November 19, 1949, the day after his birthday. He was buried at Seamans Cemetery in Savona
Savona, New York
Savona is a village in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 822 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Savona in Italy.The Village of Savona is located in the eastern part of the Town of Bath...
.