Leander C. Cole


Leander C. Cole was an American politician and lawyer from Ohio. He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Stark County from 1884 to 1888.

Early life

Leander C. Cole was born on September 14, 1849, in Island Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, to Mary and Thomas Cole. He was raised as a farmer. As a boy, he led Union forces to capture Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan near West Beaver Township, Pennsylvania, during the Civil War. He attended school for several years, took a four-year course at Mount Union College and Richmond. In 1871, he started to study law with Judge Robert Martin in Steubenville and was admitted to the bar in 1872.

Career

He first started practicing law in Massillon. From June 1873 to April 1887, he remained in Massillon. He practiced law with Isaac Ulman until 1879. He then practice law alone until March 1881, when he partnered with R. W. McCaughey.
Cole was a Democrat. He served as city solicitor in Massillon from 1875 to 1880. In 1880, Cole was elected mayor of Massillon. He served two terms, until 1884. He served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Stark County from 1884 to 1888. He was nominated as Speaker of the House, but lost the election. He was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee for six years and was a member of the executive committee for four years. He also served as secretary of the executive committee.
In 1887, he moved to Bowling Green. He became engaged with the Bowling Green Glass Company. There was a fire in 1891, and the company ceased. Cole became president of Swayzee Glass Company in Swayzee, Indiana. He was director of First National Bank in Bowling Green and was a member of oil companies in Wood County and Tennessee.
In 1894, Cole ran for probate judge of Wood County, but lost the election. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Toledo State Hospital from 1897 to 1907. In 1901, he was chairman of the cereal company A. B. Barnum Company based in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Personal life

Cole married Martha J. Douglass, daughter of Thompson Douglass, in 1872 or 1873. They had two children, Thomas D. and Nellie S. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Cole died on August 18, 1933, in Lakewood. He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.