My Genealogy Hound

C. W. Cottrell, proprietor of a general merchandise store at Dresden, Tenn., was born in Granville County, N. C., December 4, 1840. His father, Samuel Cottrell, was born in the same county and State, August 7, 1820, and was a farmer by occupation. He immigrated to Tennessee in 1844, locating in Weakley County, and died in the Tenth District of that county, October 29, 1847. The mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Hicks, was born in the same State and county as her husband, February 8, 1819. After her husband’s death she married C. E. Baxter, and after his death she united her fortunes with those of W. R. Ross, who is also deceased. For the past eight years she has been living with our subject. Mr. Cottrell was educated in the schools of Dresden and became a salesman in the general merchandise store of M. D. Cardwell, in Dresden, at the age of sixteen. In 1859 he began clerking for E. J. White, with whom he remained until 1865, when he became a partner in the business, the firm consisting of E. J. White (his son) J. M. White and Mr. Cottrell. In 1868 E. J. White died, and from that date until 1879 Mr. Cottrell and J. M. White continued as partners. In 1879 Mr. Cottrell disposed of his interest in the stock to his partner, and in 1880 formed a partnership with B. D. Irvine, S. P. Scott and G. S. Boyd, under the firm name of Cottrell, Irvine & Co., starting a large dry goods and general merchandise establishment, and building a fine flouring-milt, saw-mill, etc. In 1883 Mr. Cottrell sold his interest in the mills and bought the entire stock in the store, and from that date until the present, has successfully managed the business. April 25, 1866, he married Mary E. Johnson, who was born near Murfreesboro, February 14, 1841, daughter of Joseph M. Johnson, who was, at one time, sheriff of Rutherford County. They have no children. Mr. Cottrell is a Democrat and belongs to K. of H. Lodge, No. 312. His wife and mother are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.