His father was a merchant and civil engineer who served in the New York State Legislature in 1862.
[2] Coles initially attended the Glen Cove Public School, followed by the Friends Academy in Locust Valley.
[4] In 1917, he was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Republican, representing the Nassau County 2nd District.
[8] Coles died in North Country Community Hospital in Glen Cove after a year-long illness on August 10, 1943.
[9] He was buried in Matinecock Friends Meeting House Cemetery in Locust Valley.