The New York herald., 1920-12-25
ASHLEY W. COLE, 50,
DIES OF PNEUMONIA
One Time City Editor of the
New York Herald and Rail-
road Commissioner.

Col Ashley w Cole. formerly chair
man of the New York State Rail-
road Commission, and at one time city
editor OF THE New York HERALD, died
yesterday In West Pittston, Pa, in his
S0th year. Col. Cole had been in una
sually vigorous health UP to a few days
ago. when he was stricken with pneu-
monia
Col. Cole was born November %. 1S41,
in Hampshire England. At the age OF
ten he was taken to Canada. where he
lived until 1860 He then moved TO New
York olty. and upon the outbreak OF the
Civil War he enlisted in the Tenth New
Jersey regiment. He served throughout
the war and on being honorably dis
charged in 1865 he returned to New
York and took up the study of stenog-
raphy.
In 1866 Col Cole joined the staff of
THE NEW York HERALD and distinguished
himself so rapidly that in 1868 he was
made city editor. His health broke down
from overwork after two years and in
1870 he was sent by James Gordon Ben
nett to recuperate In South America.
While there he interviewed Guzman
Blanco. dictator of Venezuela. and En-
peror Dom Pedro of Brazil. Mr.. Cole
twice crossed the South American con-
tinent climbing the Andes, and wrote
accounts Of his observations in various
countries.
Upon his return. in 1871, Mr.. Bennett
placed him In charge of The Ereninq
Telegram. After two or three years with
that newspaper Col. Cole Joined the staff
of The Neto York Times, of which he
was made Albany correspondent in 1875
After serving the Times for several
years at Albany he formed a business
association with Rufus Hatch. at that
time we'll known In financial circles as
Uncle Rufus Hatch. Together they
interested themselves in the development
OF the Yellowstone Park Company and
promoted the Mammoth Springs Hotel
In the 70's Mr.. Cole became intereste ]
In local politics and served for a time
as clerk of Municipal Court under Judge
William L. Kelly. About 1880 he dis
solved partnership with Mr.. Hatch and
organized the city staff for The Ne,o
York Press, when It was conducted by
Frank Hatton and Robert Z. Porter.
afterward Director of the Census. He
became at that time a warm personal
friend of Samuel j. Tilden. Mr.. Cole
later became associated with G. NJ.
Kiernans News Bureau. a pioneer
agency for gathering the news of Wall
street In 1892 he returned to the Press
as city editor.
Mr.. Cole left newspaper work for
good when Levi p. Morton was elected
Governor. He served as Morton's sec
retary in the campaign preceding the
election, and was retained in the post
after Morton became Governor. Gov.
Morton also appointed him assistant
chief of artillery. with the rank OF
Colonel. on his personal staff. Just be-
fore Governor Morton's term expired, in
December, 1895, Col Cole was made one
OF the State Railroad Commissioners,
to succeed Samuel II. Beardsley. re-
signed. He was a member of the rail-
road commission until 1903, and for
five years was chairman of the board.
Upon his retirement Col. Cole became
managing director for A. J. whitehead.
Ltd, of London, proprietary medicine
concern. In which former Lieut.. Gov.
Timothy L. Woodruff was largely In
terest6d. He retired from business In
1915 and lived for two years in Oakland,
Cal Col. Cole married twice. His first
wife was Miss Mary Louise Trimble.
His second wife, who survives him. was
Miss Louise Formoso. a sister of Charles
A. Formoso. Police Inspector. Col Cole
is survived also by a son, Ashley
Trimb)e Cole. lawyer, who lives at 255
! West 10Sth street
Mr.. Cole said last night that his
fathers body probably would be brought
to New York for burial and that funeral
| arrangements would be announced later