Sheriff John H. Cole

House Bill No. 110 “An act creating the county of Granite” was passed in February 1893. Then the legislature appointed the new county officers. Person’s appointed were ones that were active in the Democratic party. The position of Sheriff was given to one of these individuals. 

News articles show John H. Cole, born in Albion, New York as a delegate to the Democratic Convention as early as August 27, 1886. He was educated in Canada and employed by the government Telegraph office, before migrating to Helena and Philipsburg. Early articles written by Philipsburg historian Clara McDonel stated John had served as undersheriff for both Deer Lodge and Missoula County prior to his appointment as Granite County Sheriff. 

Most recently found are these articles in the New Northwest: December 23, 1881, “John H. Cole sent to Salt Lake City to pick up an escaped convict from the State Pen.” and March 24, 1882, “Mr. John H. Cole formerly connected with the U.S. Mil. Tel. (Military Telegraph) and recently holding other positions of official trust, has been appointed Deputy U.S. Marshall for Montana by Marshall Botkin and will headquarter in Missoula.” 

This leads one to believe he served as Deputy U.S. Marshall for a number of years. John was witness to Lee Degenhart’s homestead application in August 1884. He was engaged (according to Bill Hammond) in “damphoolishness” when he graded the hill and used the earth for the streets to construct a road up the gulch behind the Mail building to the Wilson Addition. This would open up a byway for the wagons of the residents of that portion of town who were forced to carry almost everything up the hill “as it is now”, stated the May 31, 1886 Philipsburg Mail. 

 John dissolved his interest in a business with Robert McDonel during the year of 1887. None of the published notices state what type of business they were involved in. John married Mary McDonel (sister of Clara) daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Hammond McDonel on December 28, 1887 (announced in the New Northwest on January 6, 1888). 

In November he had ran with James McDonel, J.T. Bateman, and James Knapp against Josiah Shull for Justice of the Peace, Philipsburg Township, with Shull winning. May 27, 1888 found John involved in developing a racing association and being elected as the permanent secretary with James McDonel chairperson. Lee Degenhart agreed to provide eighty acres under bond for two years to the Philipsburg racing Association for $2,000 and to fence in the ground. This land was flat and located near Schnepel’s farmhouse in close proximity to the “old track.” The fourth of July races were a well attended event in 1888 according to Mail articles. 

John was also secretary of the Democratic Club in Philipsburg that year. By September John was mining with Nick Connolly at the Princeton Mine and shipped at least one carload of ore. In May of 1891 John was secretary for the Citizen’s Committee for Town Nominations. 

When he was appointed Sheriff his wages began at $225.00 a month with the boarding of prisoners and sheriff expenses amounting to about $400 more income a month. By the end of his term John was earning $450 in sheriff wages plus his other expenses. In June of 1893 an addition was built as the family was getting too large for the present quarters. At this time John was also the local correspondent for the Minneapolis Tribune and a member of the Silver Club of the Flint Creek District. 

 In 1894 Cole children, Lizzie (Elizabeth Jane), Mary Elizabeth, Florence and John attended Maude Hammond’s tenth birthday party. So four of their six children were born by that date with Fannie and Cathryn born later. Mary Elizabeth died September 29, 1897 and is buried at the Philipsburg cemetery. 

 John was elected delegate to attend the Democratic Central Committee meeting in August of 1894 at Helena. As stated in earlier articles none of the appointed county officers ran for re-election. 

From December 1898 through January of 1900, John was editor of the Garnet News. He resided at Garnet and visited the family in Philipsburg. March,1901 news articles show the family in Helena and then Great Falls by May. December 13, 1901 John accepted a position with the Intermountain and the family moved from Great Falls to Butte. John later became city editor of the Anaconda Standard and was there for six years. 

He was still active as a Democratic in the 1913 Legislative session. John died at the age of fifty-five from Diabetes July 26, 1915 in Anaconda. Burial was at the Philipsburg cemetery beside his daughter. Wife Mary (1867-1930) and daughter Elizabeth (1888- 1963) are also buried beside him.