The Washington bee., 1898-03-19
CHARLES CLEAVES COLE.

ONE OF THE JUSTICES OF THE SU-
PREME COURT OF DISTRICT OF CO.
LUMBIA-A PROGRESSIVE LAWYER, A
SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTING ATToR-
NKY, BRILLIANT JUDGE AND A
BRAVE SOLDIER.
Justice Charles Cleaves Cole, ma
tive of Hiram, Oxford county, Maine,
is no doubt one of the most successful
men in this country. He was edu-
Gated at Fryeburg Academy and the
Maine Wesleyan Seminary, where he
completed the course in May, 1862. He
subsequently went to Harvard Col
lege, the leading educational institu-
tion in the United States, while there,
the late war of the rebellion brok
out. This brilliant young student
whose patriotism and love for his
country were more uttermost in his
heart than the profession that he was
pursuing at the time; abandoned his
studies at Harvard and enlisted Au-
gust d, 1862, in Company |, 18TH Maine
Infantry, April 2I, 1864, he was COM
missioned second lieutenant of Com
pany E 18TH Maine Infantry, and Oc-
tober 20, 1864, was promoted to first
lieutenant of the same company; Jam
uary IS, 1865, he was made captain Of
old company. History relates in
language most positive that Capt. Cole
was brave soldier and encountered
many dangerous hostilities, never at
any time did he show cowardice. He
was in all of the battles of the army of
the Potomac from the battle of Fred
ericksburg, Va, the Cedars, Chancel
Heights, Manassas Gap. Auburn
Mills, Kelly's Ford, Mine Run, Lo-
Gust Grove, Wilderness, "Brock and
Plank Road" Po River. Spottsylvania
Court House and Hancock's, charge
on the salient Bloody Angle,) Freder-
icksburg Road, Taylor's Bridge, To-
lopotomy Creek, North Anna, Cold
Harbor, Assault before Petersburg,
Hare House, Strawberry Plains and
equally as many more celebrated en-
gagements. Thus it can be seen that
his record as soldier stands preem-
inent.
When the war closed this distin-
guished soldier resumed his studies in
law at Harvard College and after two
years of hard study, he was graduated
from the law department Of the col
lege in July 1867, but in October 1866,
before he graduated he was admitted
to the bar at Portland, Maine. After
finishing his studies at Harvard he left
for West Union, West Va, where he
practiced three years.
In 1868, he was selected prosecuting
attorney of the county of Doddridge,
and two years later removed to Park
ersburg, where he served two years
as city collector, (IS76-77,) at the
same time conducting his legal prac-
tice. February 1873, he located in
this city and by push and his profound
knowledge of law soon brought him
into popularity, which commanded
the attention of the legal profession.
His growing legal practice soon gain
ed for him the appointment of prose
cutting attorney, March 8, 1891.
In January 1869. Captain Cole was
united in marriage to most amiable
lady, Miss Fannie Chisler. Seven
years of happiness was all that this
most noble lady enjoyed, when death
claimed her, but in January, 1887, he
was married to Miss Elizabeth Settle,
who is said to be most accomplished
ldOy dHu OIS pOSSCSSCu Will IluCIl
sympathy for those in distressed.
No man in the legal profession is
better known than Captain Cole. His
last official recognition as we'll as the
United States District attorneyship,
was made by President Harrison, one
of the Justices of the Supreme Court,
which position he now holds. His |
decisions are very seldom reversed by
the superior courts. He Is a hard |
student and no doubt one the most
learned judges in this country.
He is a positive man, but willing
always to recede when he is convinced
that he is in error. He is close in his
rulings, confning counsel strictly to
:herules of pleading and rules of
evidence