Talk:Cornelius Cole

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The three centenarian U.S Senators

Cornelius Cole, R-California 1867-1873 (1822-1924)

John Netherland Heiskell, D-Arkansas 1913-1913 (1872-1972)

Strom Thurmond, R-South Carolina 1954-2003 (1902-2003)

Cornelius Cole was a 49'er who traveled to California with two of his brothers searching for gold. Cole was the at the helm of the formation of the Republican party in California. The group included many of the soon to be heads of railroad and land development in Northern Californa. He and McClatchy started a conservative newspaper in Sacramento about that time +/- 1858-60. Part of the reason he felt he did not get nominated for a second term was because he did not back the railroad acquisition of Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay, preferring it to remain in the public's hands.

Three of his brothers fought in the Civil War: Elijah Townsend Cole, the eldest;  David Cole the next oldest; George Washington Cole the youngest. Elijah was in the western campaign as quartermaster. David was in the NY Calvery stationed near Washington DC. "Wash" was the first to sign up. He eventually trained free blacks and "contraband" blacks in the US Colored Calvery. David Cole moved to Southern California about 1875, prior to his younger brother Cornelius, farming a La Balona Ranch growing lemons.

In 1881 Cole took possession of a 500 acre portion of Rancho La Brea which was deeded to him in payment for legal fees by the then owners the Hancock brothers. The large Cole property called Colegrove was also the site of many silent films scenes. It had its own postmark until it was incorporated into Los Angles. The location of his home is Gower and Lexington.

Cornelius's Great Great grandson, Cornelius III "Corney" Cole is an award-winning animation artist and university art teacher (Cal-Arts and USC). Senator Cole's youngest son George was also an artist. Carmeldesigner 03:20, 1 June 2007 (UTC)