John N. Cole

John Nelson Cole (November 4, 1863 – October 18, 1922) was an American politician who served as the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1906 to 1908.

Early life Cole was born in Andover, Massachusetts on November 4, 1863. He attended public school for a short time, but left at an early age to work at the Marland Woolen Mill. Cole worked at the mill for five years. By the time he left he had been promoted to the position of paymaster.

Cole married Minnie White Poor of Newburyport, Massachusetts. They had three daughters and one son. Cole and Walker held a conference at the State House on November 28, during which pledged voters were canvassed. As Cole had the majority needed to become Speaker, Walker withdrew from the race.

On February 4, 1908, Cole, who had solicited reduced railroad rates for school children, was indicted by a grand jury on 123 separate counts of violating a law which prohibited Government officers from asking for railroad passes or tickets at reduced rates for themselves or others. On February 11, the indictment was quashed by the Chief Justice of the Essex Superior Court. Later that day Cole was given a round of applause when he appeared in the House Chamber and received three cheers when he arrived at the Speaker's desk.

In 1908, Cole ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts as an anti-machine candidate. In 1915 he was nominated for the position of Medford city solicitor, but he was not confirmed by the city council.

In 1913, Cole was appointed Chairman of the Commission of Efficiency and Economy by Governor Eugene Foss. From 1914 until his death, Cole was Chairman of the Boston Industrial Development Board. In 1916, Governor Samuel W. McCall appointed Cole to the Massachusetts Waterways and Public Lands Commission.

Death On October 18, 1922, Cole died at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He had been ill for several weeks and died following an operation. After his death, Governor Channing Cox ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff until after Cole's funeral.