My Genealogy Hound

R. B. COTTER, one of the most extensive manufacturers and wholesale lumber dealers in Louisville, is a native of this State, having been born in Bardstown in the year 1856. Early in life he moved to this city, where he was educated, and for some time was interested in the iron business, but during the past seven years has been engaged exclusively in the lumber trade. The office and lumber yard of Mr. Cotter are located, on the corner of Eighth and Zane streets. The yard covers an area of about three and one-quarter acres, and, being near the main stem of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, has side-tracks running into it, which greatly facilitate the receiving and shipping of goods. He carries a very large stock of pine and hardwood lumber — mostly hardwood — making a specialty of poplar or whitewood, selling at wholesale only and in carload lots. His trade here is quiet large and extends east, west, north and south—also through Canada and Europe. Last year the sales of lumber amounted to 18,000,000 feet. The well-equipped planing mill in the yard is kept constantly running, dressing and working lumber for various uses, the pay-roll amounting to $1,000 per week. This is the kind of industry that builds up a city and adds to its wealth and prosperity. Mr. Cotter owns several thousand acres of the timber lands in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, and his resources for procuring the very best quality of hardwood lumber to meet the growing demands of his trade are almost inexhaustible. He owns and operates a saw-mill in eastern Kentucky, one in Tennessee and another in Indiana, besides a floating mill, “Old Hickory,” operating on the Ohio River and its tributaries. This floating saw-mill draws less than two feet of water and can navigate the smallest streams, where a force of men is constantly engaged sawing timber and loading it on barges for transportation to Louisville. His growing trade renders it necessary for him to buy the cuts of several other mills. The secret of the success of this enterprising young merchant is found in a thorough knowledge of the business he is engaged in and reliability in filling orders according to contract. Mr. Cotter was married to Miss Anna R. Mosset, of Newport, Ky., in 1887. She is a daughter of Capt. A. J. Mosset, who is proprietor of several lines of steamboats.