History of Richmond County, New York, 1887
Cole, William
The direct ancestor of William A. Cole was Col. William Cole, colonial secretary of Virginia, who emigrated from London about the year 1650, and whose descendants settled early in 1700 in Maryland, from whence they later removed to Staten Island. In the direct line from this progenitor of the family was Abraham Cole, born in 1736, grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Among his children was John B. Cole, born in 1770, who was twice married. His two sons by the first marriage, Henry and George Cole, each represented their district for two terms in the state legislature and were active in promoting the interests of Richmond county.
His second wife was Mary A. Cole, a descendant of the Cool family, who emigrated from England to Holland, and about the year 1680 came to America. Her father, Rev. William Cole, was well known as the pioneer of Methodism on Staten Island. His memory is still fresh, his influence still apparent, and his name cherished by the church to which his life-work was dedicated.
William A., the only son of John B. and Mary A. Cole, was born October 15, 1836, at New Dorp, Staten Island, and received an academic education at Pennington Seminary, New Jersey. Deciding upon a business career, he came to New York in 1855 and accepted a position as cashier with a mercantile house. This thorough experience was of inestimable value in the busy commercial life which subsequently opened to him.
In 1862 he organized, and has since been the active member of, the house of W.J. Wilcox & Company, extensively engaged in foreign exports. The firm have been since their organization large exporters of manufactured products, and early gave their attention to the production of a superior quality of lard, uniform in color and sweetness and capable of withstanding climatic influences. To the well directed and untiring energy of Mr. Cole must be attributed the gratifying success which has attended their efforts. For his zeal in furthering the interests of Franco-American commerce the French government, in 1879, conferred upon him the decoration of the Legion of Honor.
In 1875 the firm of W.J. Wilcox & Company became a corporation, with Mr. Cole as president, which office he still fills. He has for some years been a leading factor in commercial circles, having during the years 1877 - 78 filled the office of president of the New York Produce Exchange. He is at present one of the trustees of the Bowery Savings Bank and the Corn Exchange Bank of New York. His interest in the cause of education prompted his acceptance of the position of commissioner of the board of education of New York. He is chairman of its building committee, as also of that of the New York College. Mr. Cole was married June 12, 1860, to Mary E. Hiscox, and has three children living: Mary A., Frederick A. and Helen
Source: History of Richmond County, (Staten Island) From its Discovery to the Present Time: Richard M. Bayles: New York: L.E. Preston & Co.; 1887
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