W. Q. Cole
American government official (1856–1924)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Qualls Cole (June 28, 1856 - July 25, 1924) was an American official. He served as State Auditor of Mississippi from 1900 to 1904 and as Mississippi's first insurance commissioner.
W. Q. Cole | |
|---|---|
c. 1900 | |
| 20th State Auditor of Mississippi | |
| In office January 15, 1900 – January 18, 1904 | |
| Governor | Andrew H. Longino |
| Preceded by | W. D. Holder |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Monroe Henry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 28, 1856 |
| Died | July 25, 1924 (aged 68) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 4 |
Early life
William Qualls Cole was born on June 28, 1856, in Woodlawn Plantation, Holmes County, Mississippi.[1] He was the son of William Ferguson Cole and Aurelia Qualls Watson.[1] Cole attended the public schools of Lexington, Mississippi, and was tutored by his father in bookkeeping and accounting.[1] Cole worked as a printer from 1870 to 1878.[1]
Career
Cole began working for the Illinois Central Railroad in 1878.[1] He became its traveling auditor in 1883.[1] He served on the City Council of Water Valley, Mississippi from 1894 to 1898.[1] On January 1, 1898, Cole resigned from his traveling auditor position.[1] In November 1899, Cole was elected State Auditor of Mississippi and served one term from 1900 to 1904.[1] When Mississippi's Insurance Department was created on March 5, 1902, Cole became the state's first insurance commissioner ex officio.[1] On November 3, 1903, Cole was re-elected Insurance Commissioner of Mississippi.[1] He authored Mississippi's insurance law.[1] He declined re-election for commissioner, and in 1908 was appointed president of the Lamar Life Insurance Company of Jackson.[2] The company was described as "one of the foremost life insurance companies of the South" and "one of the state's jewels".[2][3] He resigned from his position in 1920 due to failing health.[2]
Personal life and death
Cole was a member of the First Methodist Church of Jackson.[4] He was a member of the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the Knights and Ladies of Honor.[4] He married Alice May West on December 13, 1882.[4] They had four children: William West, Alice Williams, George Welling, and Wilfred Qualls.[4] Cole died at "half-past one o'clock" on the morning of July 25, 1924 at his residence in Jackson.[2]