Mendes Israel Cohen (1796–1879) was a Jewish American politician, soldier, traveler and businessman who lived in Baltimore, Maryland.

[2] The Cohens' lottery raised money to help finance construction of Baltimore’s Washington Monument in Mount Vernon.

[3] In the War of 1812, Cohen and his brothers Philip and Jacob joined a volunteer company charged with defending Baltimore–Nicholson’s Artillery Fencibles—serving under Captain Joseph H.

[7] Cohen returned to the United States and became a public servant, first as an aide to the Maryland governor, Thomas Veazey.

Veazey gave Mendes the ceremonial title "Colonel" in recognition of his service in the Battle of Baltimore.