Wilmot Howard Cole

Who was Wilmot Howard Cole?

Wilmot Howard Cole was a merchant and political figure in Ontario. He represented Brockville and Elizabethtown in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1875 to 1879 as a Reform member.

He was born in Brockville, the son of Abel Cole and Catherine Seaman, and was educated there. He established himself in business in 1855 as a merchant. He served in the local militia, reaching the rank of colonel, and served during the Fenian raids. Cole was a member of the town council and a prominent member of the local Oddfellows lodge, also serving as grand master. He helped found a company that established waterworks at Brockville. Cole married Jane Adelaide Phillips. In 1882, he was named registrar for Leeds County. Cole was one of the promoters of the Brockville, Westport and Sault Ste. Marie Railway. He died in 1915.