USA > New York > Steuben County > History of Steuben county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
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His life has been one of activity, and in his business operations he has been generally successful, Unaided pe- cuniarily when young and beginning a business career, he learned by necessity those lessons of economy and prudence not uncommon to our early self-reliant men, which formed the basis of his business life. In 1834 he married Deborah, daughter of Amos Stiles, of Livingston Co., N. Y. She was born in Pompey, Onondaga Co., in 1818. Their children were Thomas C., of Avoca ; Mrs. Dr. D. S. Allen, of Seneca, Ontario Co .; Ida Bell (died at the age of three years) ; and an adopted daughter, Libbie Vrooman. The mother died Feb. 7, 1872, having been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the past twenty years.
Born in the county, Mr. Chase has lived to see the forest of the Cohocton Valley give way to industry of the settlers and agriculturists ; the rude log school-houses and churches supplanted by fine architectural and costly edifices ; machinery of all kinds take the place of manual labor; and a country prepared for the third and coming generations to occupy.
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157
TOWN OF AVOCA.
trious, and frugal. Prosperity and thrift are leaving their impress on every department of industry.
The first child born in the town was William Me Whor- ter. John Buchanan and Betsey Me Whorter were the next children born. They now lie buried in the pleasant village cemetery by the side of most of the early settlers. Spencer Moore, Abigail Moore, and David Robords are probably the oldest living representatives of the first settlers of the town.
The first frame dwelling in the town was erected by James McWhorter on the Buchanan farm. It is still standing, and the descendants of the worthy couple who began life there in a log cabin take special pride in keeping it preserved without change.
ORGANIZATION.
Avoca was erected April 12, 1843, from the towns of Bath, Cohocton, Howard, and Wheeler. The first town- meeting appointed by law was held at the house of James G. Barto, in the town of Avoca, on the first Monday of May, 1843, for the purpose of electing town officers for the ensu- ing year. The following-named persons were duly elected : Henry A. houck. Supervisor; Jesse Lonck, Town Clerk ; Oliver Rice, Simcon Holmes, Luther Tilton, Justices of the Peace; John Donahe, John L. Robords, Marcus Peck, Assessors ; James Gorton, John Collier, John T. Allen, Commissioners of Highways; Allen Smith, John B. Ste- venson, John Conner, Commissioners of Schools; Charles W. C. Iloward, Addison Niles, School Inspectors; Matthew Fox, Joseph Matthewson, Salmon Waterbury, Inspectors of Election; Jonathan Clisbee, Abram Towner, Poormas- ters; Perry S. Donahe, Collector ; Perry S. Donahe, Josiah Devendorf, Almon Begel, Cornelius Vader, Oscar Smith, Constables.
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS.
Supervisors.
Town Clerks.
1843. Henry A. Loueks. Jesse Loucks.
1844. George W. Burnham. "
1845.
.6
Bernard Fox.
Amos Larkin.
1846.
1847.
Peleg Gorton.
Gideon Smith.
1848.
1849. Heury II. Bouton. Andrew Bauter.
1850.
Dexter Straight.
1851. 66
Joseph G. Sprague.
John B. Payne.
1852.
= Dexter Straight.
1853. Joseph I. Burnham. Peleg Gorton.
1854. Henry H. Bouton. .
1855. Henry Goff.
Simcon Wagner.
Andrew Bauter.
1856. Salmon Waterbury. Francis 11. Guiwits. Z. J. Calkins.
1857.
66
Simcon Wagner. =
George W. Towner. 66
1858. Joel Carrington. I859.
Joseph Guiwits.
George P. Fox. Oliver Zeilly.
1860. ITenry A. Loueks.
1861. A. M. Waterbury.
Daniel A. Fox.
1862. J. Il. Niehoson. 1863.
James lees.
William S. Overhiser. . Horace A. Silsbee.
1864. Sahnon HI. Palmer. 1865.
1866.
66
1867. Joel Carrington. 1868. "
1869. 1. J. Ilaskin.
1870. S. E. Haskin. 1871. I. J. Haskin.
Supervisors.
1872. F. N. Barney.
Chester Ellis,
W. 11. Wood.
W. G. Borden.
1874. I. E. Hoadley.
James Tuel.
F. L. Shaver.
Wm. H. Hammond.
1876. ..
Alva Shunt.
1877. N. B. Cbase.
W. H. Wood.
William T. Slattery. S. B. Haskin.
IISTICES OF THE PRACE.
1843. Oliver Rirr. 1861. Peleg Gorton.
Simcon Holmes.
1862. Smith Tucker.
Luther Tilton.
1863. Sylvester D. Lewis. George A. Fox.
1844. Ilerman S. Rose.
1845. John L. Robords. Henry 11. Bouton.
1865. Peleg Gorton.
1846. John L. Robords.
1866. Leonard Wilson.
1847. llenry Il. Bouton. 1867. G. W. Towner.
1848. Herman S. Rose. 1868. Nathaniel S. Wheeler.
1849. Salmon Il. Palmer. 1869. Peleg Gorton.
1850. John L. Robords. 1870. G. W. Coolbangh. Leonard Wilson.
Allen Smith.
1851. James Silsbee.
1852. Herman &. Rosr.
1853. Henry Goff.
1872. (. W. Towner.
1854. Ira Tucker.
M. A. Peck.
Marcus Peek.
1873. F. Hf. Williams.
1855. Lawson R. Hood.
1871. Salnon H. Palmer.
1856. Peleg Gorton.
Jobn Allen.
1857. N. S. Wheeler.
F. 11. Guiwits.
1875. G. W. Coolbaugh. G. W. Towner.
1858. Ithiel C. Nichoson.
Peleg Gorton.
1877. Salmon H. Palmer.
1859. Sylvester D. Lewis.
M. B. Walker.
1860. Lawson R. llood.
J. B. Hamlin.
CHURCHES.
The religious sentiment of the carly time was of the Christian denomination, who held their religious worship in the barn on the Buchanan farm, and continued to hold services there and in the log school-house until 1827, when the first Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at East Hill. Elders Buzzel and Elisha Brownson were the first ministers of the gospel, but there was another minister, called the " star-gazer," who commenced to preach here about that time. The Christian denomination continued for some time to represent the predominant faith, but it commenced to die out gradually, and to-day but few remain of that order. At present the Baptists, Lutherans, and Methodists are the leading denominations of the village and town.
The village of Avoca has three churches,-the Baptist, Imtheran, and Methodist,-in which are held regular ser- vices, and with which are connected prosperous Sunday- schools.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist Church was organized Jan. 13, 1847, by adopting the Declaration of Faith and Church Covenant published by the New Hampshire Baptist State Convention. Twelve male and twenty-one female members constituted the church as originally organized. Rev. Horace Spencer was the first pastor, and James Van Deuzer first deaeon. On the 13th of Angust, 1847, the church was received into the Steuben Baptist Association, with which it is still in communion.
The earliest meetings of the church were held in the
Heury Robertson. ..
John E. Storms.
.. Henry Foults. Luther G. Clark. W. G. Borden.
Town Clerks.
Collectors. George 11. Shults.
1873. I. J. laskin.
1875. Thomas Cotton.
.. George J. Shults.
1878. 44
Joseph Ellis.
J. Wesley Calkins.
Collectors. Perry S. Donahe. Jesse Devendorf.
Darius Silsbee.
George P. Fox.
¥
Cornelius Vader.
Erastus Olmstead.
J. Wesley Calkins. Alexander Patten.
1876. Alexander R. Ward.
1871. Forest Hl. Williams. Caleb C. Allen.
1864. Nathaniel S. Wheeler.
158
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
school-house and at private residences, and continued to be so held till 1852, when the present church edifice was erected.
Since its organization this church has had the following pastors : Rev. Horace Spencer, Rev. James Halstead, Rev. A. W. Sunderland, Rev. Ilenry Robertson, Rev. S. T. Dean, Rev. J. J. White, Rev. R. S. Stowell, and Rev. Adelbert Chapman, the present minister. The Sunday- school numbers about 75 pupils.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHI.
This church was organized the ninth day of April, 18-42, by adopting the constitution, declaration, and discipline of the Franciscan Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The church had no property at that time. James Shults was its first pastor, and continued to preach to them two and a half years. The church called Joseph Strough as their second pastor, who settled with them in 1844, and preached about one year, after which their first pastor returned and supplied the church as a missionary for about one and a half years. After this, for about fifteen years, they had no stated preaching. Their first officers were: Elders, Richard Col- lier and Isaac Dillenbeck ; Deacons, John Kinkade and Benjamin Waggoner. The church at its organization con- sisted of 12 communicants besides its pastor.
This church was reorganized July 30, 1867, adopting the constitution and formula of the Franciscan Evangelical Lutheran Synod, with which it is still in communion. It was incorporated July 26, 1868, and the church edifice dedicated in January, 1870. The value of the church property is $3000.
The first pastor under the present organization was Rev. N. Clock. The following were the first officers : James Olmstead and Isaac Dillenbeck, Elders; John Kinkade, Hiram Stattson, and George Fox, Deacons ; James Shults, II. A. Wall, and Daniel Fox, Trustees ; R. V. Whitbeek, Clerk.
Rev. J. H. Webber succeeded Rev. N. Clock as pastor, July 13, 1870. The third pastor was Rev. D. W. Law- rence, from 1872 to 1874. The pulpit was vacant from that time till Nov. 6, 1877, when Rev. Wm. E. Churchill, the present pastor, was called.
This church numbered at its organization 10 members ; its communicants at present are 62. Present Elders, Isaac Dillenbeck, Hiram Stattson, and James Olmstead ; Deacons, James Shults, P. A. Van Valkenburgh, J. H. Wagner, Sut- ton Felch, Luther G. Clark ; Trustees, Wm. P. Bellinger, A. A. Wall, George Bellinger ; Clerk, George J. Shults.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
Of this church no data has been furnished us for a his- tory. It has a fine edifice in the village, the church property being valued at $5000. They maintain a prosper- ous Sunday-school, and have kept up regular services since their organization.
MASONIC.
The lodge was organized with about 20 charter members, Rev. George M. Coolbaugh being the first Master. As a lodge they have been from the first uniformly prosperous,
and have at present one of the most flourishing lodges in Western New York. The Past Masters are Rev. G. W. Coolbaugh (deceased), J. N. Moore, W. H. Wood, Thomas Cotton, S. W. Cooper, II. E. Butler. The present Master is M. B. Walker.
MILITARY RECORD.
Prior to the taxing of the towns to raise bounties for enlistments to fill the several quotas, or up to December, 1863, the town of Avoca raised by her contributions the sum of $3000 to aid enlistments. About $600 were con- tributed by the Ladies' Soldiers' Relief Association. These sums were applied to the payment of bounties and other expenses connected with the enlistment of soldiers. In addition to these sums, $2000 for soldiers' bounties were raised by tax on the taxable property of the town. Up to the time of the last call for 500,000 men, Avoca had put into the field 70 of her hardy sons, more than her propor- tion up to that time, and under the last call her quota of 53 was promptly filled, making in all 123 men sent into the service.
On account of quite a number going out of the county to enlist, and their residences not being put on the muster- rolls, it is impossible to give a complete list of the soldiers of this town. The following list, as complete as can be now obtained, has been sent us to be inserted in this place :
James Hammond, Truman Head, S. O. Allen, John March, Ezra Beagle, Luke Beagle, William March, Herkimer Shults, Arie Van Wie, Josiah Shaver, Jeremiah Shaver, Jesse Rich, Samuel Banta, Levi Randall, Artemus Dun- ton, Jos. W. Dunton, Geo. E. Robords, Lyman Robords, Stillman Robords, J. W. Rubords, Addison Robords, W. L. French, Jos. Jenks, James Cook, Horace Hammond, Thaddeus Ward, Jacob Sattsman, Wm. Sattsman, Wm. Martin, John Griswold, R. HI. Collier, Joel Towner, Oliver Towner, Edwin Towner, Deloss Parkhill, Oscar Marcy, Thomas Raplee, Lyman McNeill, U. Marlatt, W. F. Kelsey, Alexander Van Pelt, M. Fitzmanrice, William H. Vunck, William Cox, George Curtis, L. Alden, Alfred Olds, Frank Sager, Willis Sager, B. Stanton, Fred Chase, David Palmianteer, Albert Piatt, Byron March. Hezekiah Fox, R. McNeill, J. B. Newton, Zina Calkins, William B. Overhiser, James Voorhees, Eugene Tucker, Isaac House, Henry Squires, Morris Loucks, Wesley Davis, William Fraley, John Pond, Ira Doud, Leroy Tucker, L. McCarthy, F. Tucker, E. Avery, William Avery, Silas Vrooman, Fred Graves, George Brownrigg, Marcus Walker, George A. Collier, M. C. White, Solomon Smith, Abram Miller, Isaac Armstrong, II. II. Tobias, John N. Gillett, S. HI. Houston, Henry Waffle, William J. Allen, O. W. Ormsby, William E. Haskin, Asa Demand- ville, Christopher Fox, Abner Robords, W. L. Allen, William Waterbury, B. Conley, Fred Collier, Heory Hees, Whit Treat, J. B. Newton.
LIST OF THOSE WHO WENT OUT WITH THE 189TH REGIMENT.
Lient. A J. Alden, Squire Wessels, John Watson, J. C. Dunton, J. II. Kinkade, George A. Peck, Alonzo Vunck, Josiah Guiwitts, M. L. Deyo, F. N. Barney, J. W. Johnson, J. S. Fowler, Ira L. Goff, Joel Beagle, H. E. Butler, S. D. Briggs, J. Billinger, A. Carey, L. L. Ferris, George W. Gunsalas, J. E. Griswold, William B. Golden, A. Ilooper, R. Hlooper, D. Herrington, B. Herrington, Samuel Olds, W. W. Oxx, J. A. l'almanteer, Lorenzo Robords, Riley Rasey, Frank Randall, Robert Swart, Thomas Sherwood, Setb Tubbs, Joseph Tucker, Oscar Tucker, B. Tobias, William B. Tobias, Luke H. Voorhees, F. Van Wormer, R. Woodmancy.
LIST OF KILLEO AND THOSE WHO DIED BY REASON OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN THE SERVICE.
William March, killed at Fredericksburg, May 25, 1862.
William Saltsman, wounded at Cedar Creek, died from wound, Dec. 22, 1864. - Robertson, killed at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
Oscar Marcy, mortally wounded at the battle of Dallas, Ga. ; huried in Tennessee. Albert Piatt, wounded at Gettysburg, died.
Willis Sager (color-bearer of 188th), mortally wounded at Five Forks while fearlessly carrying his colors at the head of his regiment ; died April 29, 1865.
Jacob Shuman, killed at Hatcher's Run. J. B. Newton, killed at Dallas, Ga.
LIST OF THOSE WHO DIED FROM DISEASES CONTRACTED IN THE SERVICE.
Byron March, served three years and re-enlisted; died at home, Feb. 29, 1865. Ranson McNeil, died in Washington, D. C., Dec. 15, 1863.
6 Pattinson attendo
CHRISTOPHER PATTERSON, M.D., was born in North- umberland Co., England, on the river Tyne, Nov. 22, 1819.
His father, Roger Patterson, was also a native of Eng- land ; married Ann Pegg, and with his family of six chil- dren-Joseph, Edward, John, Mrs. Clute, Christopher, and Mrs. Norris Markham-emigrated to America in 1825, and settled in Otsego County, where they remained four years, and removed to Steuben County, settling in South Dans- ville in 1829.
From boyhood, Mr. Patterson, senior, followed the life of a shepherd, but on coming to this country became a farmer, which he followed until his death, which occurred in 1852, at the age of eighty-four. His wife still survives, and resides on the farm where they first settled in Dans- ville, being now the oldest resident of the town, and in her eighty-ninth year. One son, Roger, was born in this country, and died at the age of nineteen.
Dr. Patterson received during his minority a good edu- cation. At the age of twenty he became a teacher, which he followed for five years, his last term being as a teacher in Howard Academy. In 1844 he entered the office of Dr. Bowen, of South Dansville, as a student of medicine, remaining only one winter, followed by three years as a student with Dr. A. B. Case, of Howard. llis lecture course was at Geneva Medical College, where he was grad- nated M.D. in 1848, and settled in Steuben Co., Indiana, where he practiced his profession for four years, and re- turned to this county, Dansville, and was in practice two years.
In 1854 he married Matikla, daughter of William J.
and Polly Neally, of Bath, this county. IIer father and grandfather came to this county in 1812, settling near Kanona, and hence were among the pioneers of that part of the county. She was born in the town of Bath in 1820, and on the place where her father first settled on coming to this county, and where he died, Jan. 18, 1858, aged sixty- nine. Her mother died at the age of sixty-seven, Jan- uary, 1866.
Soon after his marriage, Dr. Patterson settled in Avoca as a practicing physeian, and has remained here continuously in practice, with little exception, until the present time.
As early as 1845, before his graduation, Dr. Patterson received a license to practice medicine from the Board of Censors of the Steuben County Medical Society, and since which time he has been a member of that society, being its president for one year, and one of the examining board for two years.
His professional career for most of the time has been one of constant labor and care, and marked with such activity and exposure as to somewhat impair his health during his years of practice. Politically, Dr. Patterson has been an active and interested member of the Whig party and of the Republican party until during the late Rebellion, sinee which time he has been identified with the Democratic party. Not solicitous of public office, he has declined official position, preferring rather the quiet of his profes- sional duties. He is ranked among the skillful, honest physi- cians of Stenben County, possessed of resolution and firm- ness, and a conscientious regard and sympathy for the needy requiring medical assistance, as well as for families of wealth.
Alexander Arnold
ALEXANDER ARNOLD was born in Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., Jan. 20, 1808, and married Rachel Henderson, a native of the same county, born Nov. 10, 1808. While a resident of Washington County he was a farmer. His children born there were Mary Jane (died in infancy), and one son, Lyman, born Nov. 12, 1828. He settled in Spring- water, Livingston Co., in 1837, and in November of the same year came to Bath, Steuben Co. (now Avoca), and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, to which he made additions, owning at the time of his death four hundred acres, and on which his son Lyman and grandchildren reside. One son, Jay W., was born in Steuben County, July, 1842, and is now a resident of Wisconsin.
Mr. Arnold, besides being a representative agri- culturist, was a breeder of fine sheep, and for many years gave much attention to sheep husbandry.
He was a man of great energy and resolution, possessed of integrity of purpose in all his business relations, consideration, and independent thought.
He was a liberal contributor to church interests, and gave largely in the construction of the First Baptist Church at Avoca. Both he and his wife were members of that church, and had been con- neeted with church interests prior to settling in this county.
Mr. Arnold was often solicited to accept office, but preferred the quiet attention to his own affairs. In politics he was formerly a Whig, then a Repub- lican, and during the latter part of his life a Demo- erat. His wife died in 1862, and he married, in 1864, Betsey E., widow of the late Joseph N. Bradish, of Rochester, who survives him. He died Sept. 8, 1877.
His son Lyman married for his first wife Mary Jane McNeil, of Avoea, Jan. 8, 1850, of which union was born one son, Alexander J. She died May 4, 1852. For his second wife he married, Feb. 10, 1853, Magdalene Shults, of Avoca, born March 16, 1827. The children of this marriage are William H., Eugene S., and Lincoln J.
159
TOWN OF AVOCA.
Uzal Marlatt, died March 9, 1865. Zina Calkins, died in the service and buried in Virginia.
Herkimer Shults, died at home.
Isaac House, discharged on account of sickness; died on his way home. Benjamin Welch, died in service.
Engene Tucker (188th Regt), died at home.
- Billson, died in service ; buried in Virginia.
llenry Squires, died in prison at Belle Isle. Morris Loucks (22d New York Cav.), died in Andersonville prison.
Wesley Davis, died soon after being released from Andersonville.
Jeremiah Shaver, died at home.
John Doud (prisoner at Andersonville), died at home.
Le Roy Tucker, died at Harper's Ferry, Va. Lafayette McCarthy (107th), died in Tennessee. Ilezekiah Fox, died at Laurel, Md., Nov. 13, 1862. Edwin Avery, died Dec. 1, 1862. William Avery, died in service. Silas Vrooman, died in service, Oct. 5, 1865.
R. Hooper (189th), died in service in Virginia.
Stillman Robords, died at home.
James Cook (141st), died in Tennessee.
Jonas Emmons, Menzo Deyo, and Silas Shaver ( 16Ist), died from disease. Andrew J. Allen, (lieut. 189th), died at home.
John E. Griswold, died at home.
Fred Graves, died in service.
William Everett, died from disease.
Among those who were the most active (except those who marched to the front) in the nse of their time and means in promoting the best interests of the government during the Rebellion are Salmon H. Pahner, Henry Rob- ertson, Nathaniel B. Chase, Isaac Baldwin, Jacob II. Collier, Orange Hilton, Leonard Wilson, George Fox, Joel Carring- ton, Christopher Wheeler, Peleg Gorton, Abraham Vroo- man, Joseph Mathewson, John W. Calkins, Oscar S. Smith, and others whose names the writer has been unable to learn.
. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ..
IION. II. II. BOUTON.
Henry II. Bouton was born in Windham, Conn., April 4, 1815, being the son of Russell and Mary Bouton. His father was a tanner by trade, which occupation he followed till he moved to Steuben County about the year 1819, and settled in the town of Howard, now Avoca, still carrying on the tanning business, in connection with farming, for a few years, after which he devoted his whole time to farming.
Henry is the oldest of a family of eight children, four of whom are uow living. He was reared on the farm, and en- joyed only such privileges for an education as the district school afforded, except one term at a select school; but by elose application and continued perseverance he was enabled to gain sufficient education to entitle him to teach, which he followed several terms in his own county and in the State of Ohio. He was in every way a representative man. He was justice of the peace for several terms, supervisor for several years, and clerk of the Board of Supervisors for about twenty years, during which time he originated and issued the first pamphlet containing the proceedings of the Board of Supervisors for Steuben County. He represented his district in the State Legislature in 1852-53, having been a member of the Republican party from its organization. He
was married, Dee. 31, 1844, to Laura, daughter of John and Mary Willys. He had two children-Valentine, through
AsBouton
whom this sketch and portrait is inserted, and Ada, wife of Charles Magee, of Bath. He died Nov. 3, 1876.
THOMAS COTTON
was born in the town of Dansville, this county, April 6, 1831. His father, Silas Cotton, Jr., was a native of Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., born Aug. 9, 1800; was a farmer by occupation ; married Lydia, daughter of Peter and Lydia Boyce, of Granville, Washington Co., 1826. She was born Aug. 26, 1804. They removed to Steuben County in 1827, and settled in the town of Dansville, where they remained as farmers until 1865, when they removed to the town of Avoca, where Mr. Cotton, Sr., died, Oet. 20, 1871. His wife still survives, and resides with her only son. Their children are Eliza (died young) and an only son, Thomas. His grandfather, Silas Cotton, was a native of Rhode Island, and became an early settler in Washington County.
Mr. Cotton remained at home during his minority, and received a fair education at the common school and at Rogersville Academy. Jan. 17, 1859, he married Ann S., daughter of Samuel H. Allen (2d), of the town of Howard. Her grandfather, William Allen, was a pioneer settler of that town, and came there in 1810 from Montgomery County. Her mother, Ann Stevenson, was a native of Howard, and her maternal grandfather, Johu Stevenson, supposed to have been a native of Argyle, Washington Co., as he came from that county with his family and settled in Iloward during the early settlement of that town. ITer mother died 1839; her father survives, and lives in the town of Avoca. Mrs. Cotton was born March, 1839.
After his marriage, Mr. Cotton remained in the town of Dansville, on the homestead, until 1865, when he disposed
160
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
of the farm there, and purchased a farm in the Conhoeton Valley, one mile north of the village of Avoea, where he now resides, a view of which, with his improvements, may be seen ou another page of this work.
Mr. Cotton has spent his life thus far as an agriculturist, and is known as a representative farmer. He is identified with the Democratic party in politics, and represents the unswerving members of his party. While a resident of Dansville he officiated as justice of the peace for one term, and since his residence in the town of Avoca he has repre- sented his town for two terms, 1875-76, on the Board of
Supervisors. In the fall of 1877 he was the Democratic nominee for member in his district, and although unsucces- ful in the district, received a large majority in his own town, notwithstanding the regular majority was on the Republican side. Mr. Cotton is interested in all matters of local in- terest tending to benefit society, a man of resolution and will to carry forward to a successful completion whatever he conceives to be right. He belongs to the elass of thrifty, enterprising farmers who represent the intelligent agricultu- rists of the county.
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