Representative from Hancock county, was born on a farm in Stephenson county, Illinois, September 3, 1852. His father was born in Pennsylvania, being a direct descendent of James Cole, who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1632, and his mother was born in Yorkshire, England. He attended the public schools; the Rock River Seminary of Mt. Morris, Illinois, one year; was two years at Rock River University, Dixon, Illinois, graduating from there in 1871. Followed the profession of teaching until 1876, when he took up the study of medicine, graduating from Rush Medical College in 1883, after which he located at Britt, Iowa, and has been in active practice until the present time. Served on the school board of Britt for twelve years. Was mayor for six years. One of the establishers of the Citizens Bank of Britt and is at present one of the directors of the First National Bank of Britt and is a large land owner of Hancock county. Elected representative in 1912. A republican in politics.