Nelson D. Cole

Nelson D. Cole, (1833-1899), was a Career United States Army Officer, American Lumber Planing Mill Owner, and Politician, from Rhinebeck, New York.

Early life
Nelson D. Cole, was born on November 18, 1833, in Rhinebeck, New York. He was raised and educated in Rhinebeck, New York, and then worked at a lumberyard in New York City, New York. Cole also supervised the building of a sugar cane factory in Cuba. In 1854, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and lived there working in a lumberyard.

Civil War
The beginning of the American Civil War, was in April, 1861. That year, Cole volunteered for the Union. He became the Captain of Company A, in the 5th Missouri Volunteer Infantry (3 months, 1861). While in this organization, he was severely wounded at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, in August, of 1861. Cole also served as a Captain in the 1st Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Years Organization), the 1st Missouri Volunteer Artillery Regiment, (redesignated the 1st Missouri Volunteer Light Artillery Regiment), and then was promoted to the Colonel of the 2nd Missouri Volunteer Light Artillery Regiment.

Indian Wars
Colonel Nelson D. Cole Commanded the Right, or Eastern Column, of the Powder River Expedition, from July 1, to October 4, 1865. During that Campaign, he was the overall United States Commander at the Battle's of Alkali Creek, Dry Creek, and the Little Powder River. These engagements occurred on September 1, 8, and 10, 1865, respectfully. On November 18, 1865, Cole's, 32nd Birthday, he was Mustered Out of the United States Army.

Later life
Later in 1865, Cole moved back to St. Louis, Missouri, and continued in the Lumber Business, owning a Lumber Planing Mill, in St. Louis. Then In 1868, with his business parter, Stephen Glass, Cole opened the Cole and Glass Manufacturing Company. Nelson served on the St. Louis City council for six years, and also was a commissioner for Lawfayette Park.

The Spanish American War
In the May, of 1898, when the Spanish American War broke out, Cole was selected to be the Brigadier General in the United States Army representing the state of Missouri. Nelson D. Cole was commissioned a Brigadier General, by President William McKinley, and re-entered the service of the United States Army, and as planned, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Cole then applied for active service in Cuba or the Philippines. He was assigned the command of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd United States Army Corps. The Brigade was composed of three Infantry Regiments of United States Volunteers, including the 1st Delaware Infantry, the 2nd Tennessee Infantry, and the 3rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry Regiments. But the Brigade, nor Cole, never left the continental United States in their service, and therefore saw no action in the War. During the winter of 1898-99, while in command of his brigade, in Columbia, South Carolina, Cole developed a serious cold. He was mustered out of the service of the United States for the last time in the March, of 1899.

Death
Nelson D. Cole died from complications of his illness on July 31, 1899, in St. Louis, Missouri. He is buried in the Bellefontain Cemetery, in North, St. Louis.