- THOMAS COTTRELL, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising,
and resides on
- section 22, in the town of Milton, is numbered among Rock
County's best citizens. He was born in the town of Petersburg,
Rensselaer Co., N.Y., on the 14th day of January, 1814, and is
a son of Benjamin and Polly (BURDICK) COTTRELL. His parents were
natives of Rhode Island, but settled in Rensselaer County at
an early day, there residing during the remainder of their lives.
Both were called to their final rest in 1848. They were members
of the Seventh Day Baptist Church and were consistent Christian
people, whose daily endeavor it was to follow the example of
the Master. To them were born a family of nine children who grew
to manhood and womanhood, but of that number only three are now
living. Two children also died in infancy. Those who still survive
are Thomas of this sketch; Sarah, who makes her home with her
brother; and Louisa, wife of Howard HUMPHREY, a resident of Dane
County, Wis.
- The education of our subject was received in his native county.
His father being in delicate health,
- at the early age of fourteen years, the entire management
and control of the farm devolved upon him, but though the task
was an arduous one for his young shoulders, nobly did he discharge
the duty. He continued to make his home with his parents, working
and caring for them who had lovingly cared for him in his younger
days, for many years. The family removed to Allegany County,
N.Y., where he cleared and improved 100 acres of land, placing
it all under a high state of cultivation. In 1846, Mr. COTTRELL
was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth McHENRY, and to them
were born three children. Death visited the home,and within two
years he laid to rest his wife, his parents and a sister.
- Bowed down with grief, the stricken man decided to dispose
of his property in the East and cast
- his lot with the people of Wisconsin. In 1852 he left his
home and went to Dane County, where he purchased a farm of eighty
acres upon which he lived for fifteen years. He was again married
while a resident of Dane County, becoming the husband of Miss
Emeline MARTIN. Nine years of happy wedded life had sped by,
when again the home of Mr. COTTRELL was made desolate by the
death of his loving wife. He continued to reside in Dane County
until 1867, when selling his property he came to Rock County
and purchased eighty acres of land on section 22, in the town
of Milton. Twenty-two years he has there made his home, and is
one of the highly esteemed citizens of the community. His third
marriage was celebrated in 1867, when he led to the hymeneal
altar Miss Rebecca BURDICK. Their union has been blessed with
two children - Lorena D., was born Nov. 25, 1869; and Eldon C.,
Dec. 22, 1870. Though his path has been strewn with many difficulties,
and great have been the obstacles in his way, Mr. COTTRELL has
steadily worked on until he now has a comfortable competency.
Much sorrow has visited him, yet with the assistance of Him from
whom all help comes, he has borne the affliction with the Christian
fortitude and been strengthened by the trial. At the age of fourteen
he united with the Seventh Day Baptist Church and has been an
active worker in the Master's vineyard for sixty-one years. His
wife also holds membership in the same church, and they are honored
by all for their kind and generous words of sympathy and encouragement
to those who have given away to despondency. Mr. COTTRELL was
a supporter of the Democratic party until the time of the Kansas
trouble, when realizing that the object of that party was to
enslave millions of human family, he joined the Republican party
with which he acted for many years. The Prohibition party springing
into existence, he joined its ranks and has since been an active
worker in the temperance reformation. Mr. COTTRELL is now an
old man, but can look back over the years that are passed and
gone with no regret, and forward to the future with no fears.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 660.
- Courtesy of Carol H.
-
- [Click here
for Thomas COTTRELL's obituary.]
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