Len Coles Scrapbooks (1946-1968)
Mr. Oxford County
Leonard Keeler Coles was born in Woodstock, Ontario on November 4, 1905 to Edward and Mary (nee Keeler) Coles. He attended Princess Public School, Central Public School and Woodstock Collegiate Institute, before attending Victoria College at the University of Toronto.
While at University, he was a member of the University of Toronto, Victoria College eight-oar rowing team. In addition, Len Coles achieved Provincial & Canadian Championship ranking in tennis and badminton and was the Canadian Doubles Champ, along with Jack Sibbald, for badminton in 1935-36. For a time, he also coached the YMCA basketball team and was an avid player with inter-county baseball.
Following graduation, he returned to Oxford County and in 1929, began managing the new Ingersoll office of his older brother’s, brokerage business. Jack L. Coles and Charles O. Tatham continued to operate their business in Woodstock and Ingersoll for a few years, until Charles eventually left to manage the Sentinel-Review newspaper. In 1932, Len went into partnership with his brother and formed Coles Brothers Limited, Investments and Insurance. During his time with the firm, he married Marjorie A. Adams of Ingersoll on October 17th, 1936 and would go on to have four children together: James, Robert, Roger and Anne.
In 1942, he left Coles Brothers Limited to take the position of Oxford County Clerk and Treasurer, which he held until his retirement in 1970. During his years as County Clerk/Treasurer Len Coles played an active role in the formation and operation of such County programs as the building of Woodingford Lodge, the Health Unit, the Library, and Planning and Social Services. He also belonged to a number of committees such as the House of Refuge Committee and the Juvenile Court Committee, among others. Along with his County duties, Len Coles was president of the Ontario Good Roads Association, Director of Ontario Badminton Association and a member of the Senate at the University of Western Ontario.
Len Coles was also known for his research and writing on the history of Oxford County and its Council. His Len Coles Historical Notes began as a centennial project in 1967 and included studies of early councillors and members of parliament, the Court House Square, and the House of Refuge. His interest in the County continued long after his retirement in a room in the Court House renovated for him by County Council. There, Len Coles continued to work on his research and housed books, photographs and slides, histories of neighbouring counties, scrapbooks and other historical items related to the history of Oxford County. He also became a welcome speaker about the past at many local functions. It was his keen interest in local history that ensured the preservation of early County records which make up a large portion of the Oxford County Archives’ holdings today.
Upon his retirement Len Coles was given the name “Mr. Oxford County” by friends – An honorary title bestowed earlier on Oxford County M.P.P. Sir Oliver Mowat, who served as Ontario Premier and Attorney General in the later 1800s. To date, he is the longest serving County Clerk and Treasurer for Oxford County.
Leonard Keeler Coles passed away at Woodingford Lodge on December 16th, 1990 in his 86th year and is buried in the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery.
Image credits:
COA 53ph Len Coles with students. – 1962
COA 58ph Presentation to L.K. Coles from Ontario Good Roads Association. – ca. 1950.
COA 1692ph Ex Warden’s Association with Len Coles. - 1953