Ernest E. Cole

Cole was born in Savona, New York. He graduated from Haverling High School in Bath, and then attended Cornell University, from which he graduated in 1895. He was admitted to the state bar the same year.James Malcolm, ed., The New York State Red Book (Albany, NY: J.B. Lyon, 1928), p. 174. After graduating from Cornell, Cole served as the principal of high schools at Greenwood, Painted Post, and Addison.Malcolm, New York State Red Book, p. 174. He was a member of the Freemasons, and the Odd Fellows.Cole at "The Political Graveyard." In 1941, he received an honorary degree in Doctor of Pedagogy from Oglethorpe University.{{cite web|title=Honorary Degrees Awarded by Oglethorpe University |publisher=Oglethorpe University |url=http://www.oglethorpe.edu/about_us/history/honorary_degrees.asp |accessdate=2015-03-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319104000/http://www.oglethorpe.edu/about_us/history/honorary_degrees.asp |archivedate=2015-03-19 }}

He entered politics as a Republican. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Steuben Co., 1st D.) in 1920, 1921 and 1922; and a member of the New York State Senate from 1923 to 1926, sitting in the 146th, 147th, 148th and 149th New York State Legislatures. Based upon his background as an educator, Cole became a leader in the legislature on matters of education, and became chairman of the senate committee on public education during his tenure in that body. In this capacity, he sponsored the "Cole Laws" of 1925, which helped fund local school districts within constitutional limitations."Allows $6,000,000 for Poorer Schools," The New York Times, February 19, 1925, p. 21. The bills were called "a long step in the improvement of the State's educational system."Malcolm, The New York State Red Book, p. 174.

In recognition of Cole's leadership on these issues, he was appointed counsel of the State Education Department on July 1, 1926.Malcolm, New York State Red Book, p. 174. Two years later, he was made a deputy commissioner of the Education Department, and in 1940 he was made commissioner.New York State Education Department, {{cite web |url=http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/NYSEducationSystem.htm |title=NYSED::Description of NY's Education System |accessdate=2010-08-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804210349/http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/NYSEducationSystem.htm |archivedate=2010-08-04 }}; Malcolm, The New York State Red Book, p. 174.

Cole retired from the department in 1942. He died on November 19, 1949. He was buried at Seamans Cemetery in Savona.Seamans Cemetery Website, http://www.paintedhills.org/STEUBEN/BathSeamans/SeamansAL.html

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{{succession box | before = Samuel E. Quackenbush | title = New York State Assembly
Steuben County, 1st District | years = 1920–1922 | after = Edwin J. Carpenter}}

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{{succession box | before = William A. Carson | title = New York State Senate
43rd District | years = 1923–1926 | after = Leon F. Wheatley}}

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Category:Cornell University alumni

Category:Republican Party members of the New York State Assembly

Category:People from Steuben County, New York

Category:1871 births

Category:1949 deaths

Category:Commissioners of education of New York (state)

Category:New York (state) state senators

Category:Educators from New York (state)

Category:Members of the Odd Fellows

Category:20th-century members of the New York State Legislature