My Genealogy Hound

JOHN B. COTTRELL, deceased, a portrait* of whom appears on the opposite page, was one of the leading and most successful business men of Cortland Countv. He was a son of Jeremiah and Sallie (Peckham) Cottrell, and was born on the old homestead farm, which is situated one mile north of the village of Scott.

Jeremiah Cottrell was a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y.; accompanied by Ezekiel Potter, he came to Scott in March, 1819. Together they bought a farm of one hundred acres, but later they divided it, each taking a half. Farming and the manufacture of flax were his lifelong occupations. In political belief, Mr. Cottrell was a Whig. He was an earnest member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. His first union was with Sallie Peckham, by whom he had seven children. After her demise, he was united in marriage with Phoebe Ricks.

John B. Cottrell was reared on the farm and received a good common school education, but a greater part of his mental training was acquired by travel and actual business experiences. He was a farmer by occupation, owning and conducting a farm of sixty acres, upon which he always lived. He was a man of wonderful foresight, and having the energy to work hard and the ability to do well whatever he had in hand, he soon engaged in other lines of business. He raised, bought and manufactured flax and did a large business. He was also a member of a company that engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil at Cortland, but he soon bought out his partners and operated it alone. He also conducted a cheese factory with the good judgment that characterized his other business ventures. He speculated extensively in railroad stock, and also held stock in the First National Bank of Homer, of which he was a director. He owned three hundred acres of land near East Scott and another farm near South Spafford, Onondaga County, N. Y.

Mrs. Cottrell’s maiden name was Sarah M. Barker, and she is a daughter of Darius and Mary Barker of South Spafford. She is a woman of many virtues, and was a kind and devoted wife, spending most of her time in the society of her husband. She was a true helpmeet and contributed largely to the success of Mr. Cottrell. They reared ten children, gave them a liberal education, and they are now a credit to the various communities in which they live. They are as follows: William J., a farmer of the town of Scott, was born January 17, 1849, and married Lizzie Lee; Mary I., born May 1, 1858, is the wife of Byron Bierce, a farmer of Scott; Daniel, born May 28, 1853, married Harriet Hines, and is a farmer of Scott; Sarah E., born February 14, 1858, married J. Lester Piendle, a farmer of Spafford; Emma J., born May 9, 1862, married Fred Crosley, a farmer of the town of Scott; Sallie, born July 29, 1864, lives at home with, her mother; Charlotte, born September 4, 1866, died June 5, 1879; George N. was born December 19, 1869, and lives at home; Jerry, born July 7, 1869, married Edith Frisbie, and lives in Scott; Charles was born August 23, 1871, and died June 18, 1879.

Mr. Cottrell was a stanch supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party, and his advice was frequently sought in local councils of that organization. His popularity is shown by the fact that he was one of the only two Democrats that ever represented the town of Scott on the county board of supervisors. Alike in his treatment of the rich and poor, he had many friends in both parties. He was a progressive and public-spirited man, and liberally supported all worthy enterprises. He was a well informed man, sociable, genial, and a general favorite. His death, which was a signal for universal mourning, occurred June 15, 1897, when he was aged seventy-one years.

*A portrait was included in the original printed volume.