Born November 17, 1839, James Reid Cole acquired his taste for literature while he worked at E.W. Ogburn’s Book Store. He graduated from Trinity College in 1861 and fought on the Confederate side as a Colonel in the Civil War. In 1883 he was elected as president of the Department of English Language, Literature, and History at Texas A&M College.
Published
ArchonInternalCollectionID:1207
This collection contains clippings, news articles, and photographs of J. R. Cole, Sr., as well as the resources that he used to write his autobiography (included). Also included is correspondence from J. R. Cole, Jr. and correspondence between the archives and donors.
Finding Aid Authors: Samantha Reagan and Jenny Reibenspies.
Published
Teaching Certificate from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. September 26, 1871
Teaching Certificate from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. August 12, 1872
Letter to J. R. Cole [Sr.] from J. K. Gilman. June 12, 1876 (handwritten)
Letter on State A&M College of Texas parchment from Thomas S. Gathright to "My dear Colonel" [J. R. Cole Sr.]. August 27, 1875 (handwritten, 5 pages)
Letter on State A&M College of Texas parchment addressed to "My dear Colonel" [J. R. Cole Sr.] from Thomas S. Gathright. November 4, 1979 (handwritten, 2 pages)
Letter addressed to "My dear wife" from J. R. Cole [Sr.] written on State A&M College of Texas parchment. December 9, 1879 (handwritten)
Letter addressed to "My dear wife" from J. R. Cole [Sr.]. November 25, 1879 (handwritten, 4 pages)
Letter written on State A&M College of Texas parchment formally addressing the university about E. B. Picket written by Professor J. R. Cole [Sr.] Undated [inscribed with 188_] (handwritten)
Diary of J. G. James (president) written on State A&M College of Texas parchment. March 15, 1883 (handwritten, 5 pages)
Document [diary?]. August 1884 (handwritten, 9 pages)
Letter from Louis L. McJonnis, Professor of Math, to J. R. Cole [Sr.] on State A&M College of Texas parchment. December 29, 1885 (handwritten, includes photocopy)
Letter written to Col. J. R. Cole [Sr.] from T. M. Scott on State A&M College of Texas parchment. July 8, 1885 (handwritten)
Published
Published
Letter on Southern Union Gas Stationary from James Cole II [Jr.] to M. T. Harrington. August 24, 1951 (typed, 2 pages)
Response from M. T. Harrington to James Cole Jr. August 27, 1951
Letter on Southern Union Gas Stationary from James Cole II [Jr.] to Dr. David Brooks Cofer. October 30, 1952 (typed)
Letter on Southern Union Gas Stationary from James Cole II [Jr.] to Dr. David Brooks Cofer. December 9, 1954 (typed, with envelope)
Letter on Southern Union Gas Stationary from James Cole II [Jr.] to Dr. David Brooks Cofer. May 6, 1955 (typed)
Letter from Mr. and Mrs. Grace D. Taylor to Mr. [David Brooks] Cofer. January 29, 1960 (handwritten)
Letter from D. B. Cofer to Mrs. Paul Taylor discussing papers written by J. R. Cole, Jr. February 3, 1960 (typed, 2 pages)
Letter written on Texas A&M University watermarked stationery from Mr. Cofer to Mrs. Paul Taylor; 1960 discussing the past donation of J. R. Cole's [Sr.] diary to Texas A&M University. January 5, 1971 (typed)
Letter from Mrs. Paul Taylor to Earnest Langford discussing an article on James Read Cole [Sr.] and misinformation in the article. December 19, 1970 (handwritten)
Published
Col. J. R. Cole [Sr.], Texas A&M College. 1884
Governor Throckmorton
Gen. Hardeman, Texas A&M College
Col. J. R. Cole [Sr.]. April 1, 1883 - July 19, 1883 (2 copies)
Published
Article "At the College", discusses Miss Emma, who teaches Professor J. R. Cole's [Sr.] class in his stead. May 2, 1884
Article "Monday Night, June 19", discusses a gold medal contest where Professor [James Reid] Cole, Department of English Language and Literature, distributed gold medal awards to students. Undated
Article "Gen. Lewis Draws Out an Explanation" discusses the faculty change of J. R. Cole to be nominated for a name change to Agricultural and Mechanical College. March 24, 1881
Article "James Cole Opened School in 1889", discusses the significance of James Cole starting a military school named "Classical and Military School" in 1889. November 2, 1970
Article discussing son of James Cole, "Jimmie" Cole's building projects including the Bataan Memorial Methodist hospital and the Trinity Church in Albuquerque, NM. From newsletter *O come, let us worship*. September 4, 1952 (copy, 31 pages)
A short blurb of "Jimmie" Cole's recognition in *The Christian Advocate* and his building accomplishments, from the *Southern Union* publication. November 1952 (page 14, copy)
Published
"Testimonials endorsing Prof. J. R. Cole, A. M. of the A&M College of Texas". 1882 (14 pages)
Lists parties endorsing James R. Cole, Sr. [for a position?] with typed letters of reference from friends, colleagues, and acquaintances from the military and TAMC; some references include Z. B. Vance, J. A. Gilmer, B. Craven, D. H. Hill, Thomas J. Brows, Andrew J. Dorn, Joseph D. Sayers, W. M. Walton, A. H. Belo, Jas. Q. Chenowith, A. J. Booty, John Handcock, T. J. Cooks, S. Hare, H. N. Tuck, D. Port Smythe, J. W. Throckmorton, S. B. Maxey, and John G. James.
Published
*Seven Decades of My Life*, an autobiography of the life of James Reid Cole [Sr.] that gives a look into his life at TAMC and in the military. 1883
Donated by the daughter of Col. J. R. Cole [Sr.] on July 14, 1951.
Published
*Supplement to First Five Administrators of Texas A&M College 1879-1885: James Reid Cole [Sr.]*, written by David Brooks Cofer. 1952 (49 pages)
Published
"The Kings and The Coles", discusses the Cole family genealogy and family history. (28 pages)
Published
Handwritten notes. Undated (3 pages)
Envelope from President's Office with notes. Undated
Personal notes. Undated (7 pages)