Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 02.djvu/304

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COATES
COATES

commercial training. When nineteen years old, in pursuance of his mercantile training he was placed in charge of a small commercial business and on May 31, 1771, this was merged into that of Reynell & Coates. This partnership terminated in 1783 by the retirement of Mr. Reynell. Shortly afterward Mr. Coates entered into partnership in the shipping and West India trade with his elder brother Josiah Langdale Coates, and in 1791 he engaged on his own account in the New England trade. His business was closed by the yellow-fever epidemic in 1793, and he subsequently devoted his time chiefly to philanthropic works. In July, 1785, he was elected to the board of managers of the Pennsylvania hospital and served as its secretary twenty-six years and its president for thirteen years. The memorial adopted by the managers at a special meeting called for the purpose at his death, says: "No individual ever connected with the administration of the hospital bestowed so much personal attention upon its affairs; and a considerable portion of the funds which have enlarged the usefulness of this noble charity, were obtained by his impressive and unwearied petition in its behalf. The benevolence and vigor of his mind were developed on all occasions when suffering humanity made the appeal." During the terrible scourge by yellow fever in 1793, he took personal charge of the hospital and devoted himself solely to the work of combating the pestilence and caring for the sufferers; rendering also similar services in the epidemic of 1798. He was chiefly instrumental in obtaining from Benjamin West, president of the Royal academy of arts in London, the gift to the hospital of West's great painting, " Christ Healing the Sick," which now hangs in its halls. He was elected treasurer of the Philadelphia library in 1784, and for forty years was treasurer of that library and of its affiliated institution, the Loganian library. On Jan. 6, 1800, he was elected a director of the original Bank of the United States, and was still a director at the winding up of its affairs in 1812. He was for nearly thirty-seven years a member of " The over- seers of the public schools founded by charter in the town and county of Philadelphia, a body dating from 1701, having charge of all public education under three successive charters from William Penn, and still in existence in modified form in 1899, being then confined to the oversight of a single school. He was agent of the heirs of William Penn in charge of their interests in America after the Revolution, and was succeeded by his eldest son, John Reynell Coates, who was succeeded by General Thomas Cadwalader. In 1824 and 1825 Samuel Coates resigned from his various activities on account of age and failing sight. He was married in 1775, to Lydia, daughter of Joseph Saunders; she died in 1789, leaving two sons and two daughters. In 1791 he was married to Amy, daughter of Benjamin Hornor; two of his sons by this marriage were Dr. Benjamin Hornor and Dr. Reynell Coates. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He died in Philadelphia, Pa., June 4, 1830.

COBB, Amasa, representative, was born in Crawford county. 111., Sept. 27, 1823; son of John and Nancy (Briggs) Cobb, both born and married at Orange, Franklin county, Mass. ; and grand- son of Josiah Cobb, who died at Orange, Mass., in 1832. He removed to Wisconsin Territory in 1842 and engaged in lead mining. He volunteered as a soldier in the Mexican war and used his leisure time in studying law. On his return he was admitted to the bar and practised his profession at Mineral Point, Wis. He served as district attorney, 1850-54 ; state senator, 1855-56 ; adjutant-general of the state, 1855-57; was in the state assembly, 1860-61, and speaker of the assembly in 1861, was colonel of the 5th Wisconsin volunteers, 1861-62 ; a representative in the 38th U.S. congress, 1863-65, and on its adjournment he organized the 43d Wisconsin regiment and reentered the military service as its colonel. While in the field he was elected to the 39th congress. He was mustered out of the service in July, 1865, and was brevetted brigadier-general for gallantry at Williamsburg, Golding"s Farm and Antietam. He served in the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st congresses, 1863-71. He then removed to Lincoln, Neb., and subsequently became a justice of the supreme court.

COBB, Clinton L., representative, was born in Elizabeth City, N.C., Aug. 25, 1842. He was graduated at the University of North Carolina and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He was a Republican representative in the 41st, 42d and 43d congresses, 1869-75, and was the defeated candidate for election to the 44th congress, after which he declined further public office and continued in the practice of his profession at Elizabeth City, N.C., where he died April 30, 1879.

COBB, Cyrus, sculptor, was born in Maiden, Mass., Aug. 6, 1834; son of the Rev. Sylvanus and Eunice Hale (Waite) Cobb. He was educated in the public schools and Norway liberal institute and studied the classics under Prof. I. N. Eyers. He served in the civil war in the 44th M. V. infantry. In 1873 he was graduated from the Boston university law school, the first to receive the degree of LL.B. from that institution. He was admitted to the bar and established a successful practice, thus making possible further study and work in art for himself and for Darius, his twin brother. according to the plans they had formed in their youth. In 1879 he resumed the practice of his art, having accom-