Nathan Cole

Nathan Cole (July 26, 1825 – March 4, 1904) was an American politician and businessman. A Republican, he was the Mayor of St. Louis and a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri.

Early life and education Cole was born on July 26, 1825, in St. Louis. The son of Nathan Cole Sr., he descended from the settlers of Plymouth Colony. His father was born in New York, and due to lackluster transportation, walked from Cairo, Illinois, to St. Louis in his journey there. Cole was possibly the first person born in St. Louis after its incorporation as a city. Educated at common schools, he attended Shurtleff College; he later spent two years working for the college. From 1869 to 1871, he was the Mayor of St. Louis, and while in office, protected former Confederate States Army soldiers. His net worth was estimated at $750,000. He died on March 4, 1904, aged 78, in St. Louis, from apoplexy. His last words were "this is my end. I am gone", which he said while falling into his servant's arms. He was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery.