Charles H. Cole

Cole was born on October 30, 1871, in South Boston, Massachusetts to Charles H. Cole Sr. a Boston financial leader, and his wife, Mary Lyon (Ball) Cole. He had two brothers, Edward B. Cole, a United States Marine Corps officer and George Cole, a Buffalo businessman. Cole was a graduate of The English High School.

On October 14, 1890, he enlisted in the 1st Corps. of Cadets and was assigned to Co. A. After going through every grade of noncommissioned office, Cole was made a 2nd lieutenant on April 10, 1900, and assigned to Co B. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant on January 8, 1901. In 1904, Cole served as captain of the Massachusetts Militia rifle team that competed at the national marksmanship competition at Fort Riley.

Cole was also an active member of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. In 1904 he served as chairman of the executive committee of the Democratic Club of Massachusetts. In 1905, Cole was appointed inspector general of rifle practice for the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia by Governor William Lewis Douglas. Later that year, Douglas recommended Cole for the position of Massachusetts Democratic Party chairman.

Professionally, Cole was a clerk, cashier, treasurer, and director for several mining companies. He also ran a real estate and brokerage business.

In September 1934, Cole was offered the position of Public Safety Commissioner by departing Governor Joseph B. Ely. Cole declined, as he did not want a full-time appointment. Instead, Cole accepted appointment as chairman of the state racing commission. He resigned from the commission on February 27, 1935, due a dispute with Curley over the Governor's insistence that his office make appointments. His departure came soon after the commission voted 2 to 1 to remove its assistant secretary, with Cole voting in the dissent. After leaving the racing commission, Cole applied for the position of Boston Postmaster. Cole had the highest score certified by the Civil Service Commission, but was passed over in favor of Curley's candidate, William F. Tague.

On November 18, 1936, Governor-elect Charles F. Hurley announced that his first appointment would be Charles H. Cole as adjutant general. While serving as adjutant general from 1937 to 1939, Cole was also the state's chief of staff. In 1938, Hurley appointed Cole to the State Commission on Labor and Industries. He was reappointed by Governors Leverett Saltonstall and Maurice J. Tobin. In 1947, Cole announced that he would not seek reappointment due to his opposition to Governor Robert F. Bradford's proposal for a new state conciliation agency.

Cole died on November 13, 1952. He was predeceased by his wife. He was interred at Hingham Cemetery.