Edmund William Cole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edmund William Cole
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| Born | July 19, 1827 Giles County, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Died | May 25, 1899 (aged 71) New York City, U.S.
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| Occupation | Businessman |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America (1861–1865) |
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Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Colonel (CSA) |
Colonel Edmund William Cole (July 19, 1827 – May 25, 1899) was an American businessman and a veteran of the American Civil War. He became the president of a major railroad, the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway. He also founded the American National Bank.
Contents
Edmund Cole's Early Life
Edmund William Cole was born on July 19, 1827. His birthplace was Giles County, Tennessee. He grew up on a farm in the countryside.
Cole's Business Career
Starting in Nashville
In 1845, Cole moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He began working as a store clerk. Later, he became a bookkeeper at the local post office.
In 1857, he got an important job. He was named the superintendent of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. The founder, Vernon K. Stevenson, appointed him to this role.
Service During the Civil War
From 1861 to 1865, the American Civil War took place. During this time, Cole served as a colonel. He was part of the Confederate States Army. General Samuel Jones said Cole was "active and zealous" during the war.
Leading a Railroad Company
After the war, Cole became president of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad in 1868. He worked to expand the company. He bought four more railroad lines. In 1873, he changed the company's name to the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway.
This was a big step in the South. Cole wanted to connect many different rail lines. He aimed to create one large, well-managed railroad system. In 1880, August Belmont bought the railroad. Cole then resigned from his position. James D. Porter took over as president.
Founding a Bank and Other Investments
In 1883, Cole helped start the American National Bank. He also put his money into other businesses. He invested in real estate in Downtown Nashville. He also bought coal mines in Sheffield, Alabama. Cole was also an investor in the Sheffield Hotel. He made sure that no alcoholic drinks were sold there.
Helping the Community (Philanthropy)
In 1885, Cole started a school called the Randall Cole School. He hired Dr. W. C. Kilvington to be its superintendent. In 1887, Cole gave the school to the state of Tennessee. It was then renamed the Tennessee Industrial School. In 1894, the school moved into a new building. This building was called the Anna Russell Cole Auditorium. It was named after Cole's second wife.
Cole also helped Vanderbilt University. He was the treasurer for their board of trustees. In 1892, he gave $5,000 to the university. This money was used to create the annual Cole Lecture series. These lectures were meant to support and defend the Christian religion.
Personal Life and Legacy
Family Life
Edmund Cole was married two times. His first wife was Louisa McGavock. She passed away in 1869. They lived at 182 Church Street in Nashville.
His second wife was Anna Russell. She was from Augusta, Georgia. Her father was the first Democratic mayor of Augusta after the Civil War. Their wedding was a special event. Many important people attended, including Confederate veterans Bushrod Johnson and Edmund Kirby Smith.
The Coles first lived in a three-story house called Terrace Place. It was on Church Street in Nashville. Later, they moved into a large home called Colemere. This mansion was designed for them by an architect named William Crawford Smith. Edmund and Anna had a son, Whitefoord Russell Cole. He also became a successful businessman.
Cole was a member of the Democratic Party. He attended the McKendree United Methodist Church.
Death and Lasting Impact
Edmund Cole died on May 25, 1899. He passed away from heart disease in New York City. His funeral was held at the McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville.
After he died, his wife hired a sculptor named George Julian Zolnay. Zolnay created a bust, which is a sculpture of a person's head and shoulders, of Edmund Cole. It was placed in Kirkland Hall at Vanderbilt University. Kirkland Hall later burned down in 1905. A new marble bust was then made. It was placed alongside a portrait of his widow by Willie Betty Newman.
