Lamoille

COLE, Leonard Townsend

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, pp 152-153

Leonard Townsend COLE, Morristown [Lamoille County, Vermont], educator and 
clergyman, was born 22 January 1855 in Pulaski [Jackson County], Michigan, 
son of Archibald Lamont and Mary Ann (TOWNSEND) COLE; descended on both sides 
from soldiers of the American Revolution; his father was killed during the 
Civil War at an assault on Petersburg [Petersburgh, Dinwiddie County], 
Virginia, in 1864. [There were two assaults on Petersburgh, 09 June 1864, 
and a second 15-18 June 1864.]

Educated at Pike Seminary, Pike [Wyoming County], New York; State Normal and 
Training School, Brockport [Monroe County], New York; Colgate University, 
Hamilton [Madison County], New York; Illinois Wesleyan University, 
Bloomington [McLean County], Illinois; Middlebury College; degrees of Ph. B. 
and A. M., the latter for postgraduate work. Began teaching school when 
eighteen years of age; was principal of high schools and academies in New 
York state twenty years; in 1883 was U. S. mail clerk New York and Chicago 
railway post office; county school commissioner, Lewis County, New York, 
three years. In 1905 bought farm in Morristown [Lamoille County, Vermont], 
spending summer vacations there. Was supervising principal high and graded 
schools, Hamilton [Pembina County], North Dakota, four years; principal of 
New Rockford Collegiate Institute, New Rockford [Eddy County], North Dakota, 
one year. Since 1910 has been superintendent of schools Lamoille Union, 
comprising of the towns of Elmore, Morristown, and Stowe [all in Lamoille 
County, Vermont].

Entered the Northern New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
being ordained 1893; pastor of Methodist and Congregational churches at South 
Canton and Crary Mills [St. Lawrence County], New York, 1888-1893; Methodist 
churches Harrisville [Lewis County] and Natural Bridge [Jefferson County], 
New York, 1893-1895; joined the Presbyterian Church 1895; pastor Presbyterian 
and Congregational churches Brasher Falls and Winthrop [both in St. Lawrence 
County], New York, 1895-1901; Hannawa Falls and Crary Mills [both in St. 
Lawrence County], New York, 1901-1903; Evans Mills [Jefferson County], New 
York, 1904-1905; and has supplied Congregational churches in Stowe, Johnson, 
and Wolcott [all in Lamoille County, Vermont] since 1910. Most of this 
pastoral work was carried on in connection with his educational work.

Since his youth has written for the press on political, educational, and 
religious topics; is a regular contributor of the "Westland Educator"; author 
of "The Development and Practical Work of the United States Government," now 
being recast as a school textbook on civics; also wrote "Elements in the Life 
and Legacy of the Greeks," and "Elements in the Life and Legacy of the 
Romans," now being worked over into textbooks; has published "Pestalozzi and 
his Principles of Education," and "Methods of Teaching in the Public Schools, 
the Old and the New"; twelve of his recommendations have been incorporated 
into the school laws of the state of New York; has delivered frequent 
lectures and addresses.

Member of the Sons of Veterans, and chaplain of the New York division 1886; 
Patrons of Husbandry; Masons; Eastern Star; Odd Fellows; Delta Kappa Epsilon 
fraternity; was president of Lewis County, New York, Teachers' Association; 
president of Gamma Sigma fraternity 1876; director of the New York State 
Teachers' Reading Circle 1885-1886; member of New York, North Dakota, and 
Vermont educational associations; vice president of the Lamoille Valley 
Educational Association; member Schoolmasters' Club of Vermont; School 
Superintendents' Association of Vermont; and the National Education 
Association.

In 1881 Leonard Townsend COLE married [Miss?] Hattie Claire MILLS, of 
Hamilton [Madison County], New York; she [Hattie Claire COLE] died in 1885; 
they had one son, Archibald Lamont Clinton COLE. In 1886 Leonard Townsend 
COLE married [Miss?] Mary Ella EVANS, of Stafford [Genesee County], New York; 
they had four children: William James, Lillian Townsend, George Evans 
(deceased), and Mary Ella.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly