San Luis Obispo  County Obituaries

Gen. Edward Cole

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler, Sept. 2004.

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Source:  History of San Luis Obispo County, California, Oakland, Calif., 
Thompson & West, 1883, pp 381-385

GEN. EDWARD COLE � In Cambria, May 7, 1879, Gen. Edward Cole died, aged 
eighty-seven years.  His whole life, both civil  and military, was one of 
self-denial, benevolence, integrity, and moral worth.  General Cole was born in 
Washington County, New York, December 22, 1793.  He was of Scotch and Welsh 
parentage, and a direct descendant of Robert Bruce.  At the age of twelve he 
entered enthusiastically into the study of military tactics, and when but 
eighteen years of age was commissioned Lieutenant of a company in the 150th N. 
Y. Infantry, for bravery in the four days� battle of Lake Champlain, in 1814, in 
which the British were so disastrously defeated.  He was made Captain of an 
Artillery Company, after this for the faithful discharge of duties.  In 1824 he 
fitted out a company at  his own expense, to receive Lafayette on his visit to 
this country, at which time the Marquis was privately entertained at the house 
of General Cole.  At the breaking out of the war with Mexico he was commissioned 
Adjutant of the 4th Indiana Regulars.  He was afterwards placed in command of 
the arsenal at Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained until the close of the war.  He 
became a member of the Masonic Fraternity in 1816, and remained in good standing 
to the time of his death.  While in Keokuk he was twelve years City Recorder and 
Police Judge, and held the same position in Petaluma for a number of years.  Of 
his family of nine children, Mrs. M. E. Ivins, of Cambria, is the only one 
living.  His whole life, both civil and military, was one of self-denial, and 
the testimony of his friends shows his great benevolence, integrity, and moral 
worth.