My Genealogy Hound

COTTON AMY, a prominent business man, local preacher, and Class-leader of the Methodist Church of East Bangor, is a native of Cornwall, England, and is a son of John and Elizabeth J. Amy. His ancestors were all English, and Grandfather Cotton Amy, in whose honor our subject was named, remained in the land of his birth and passed away before his namesake was born.

The father, John Amy, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1816, and departed this life February 10, 1885. He emigrated to this country in 1881, and settled in East Bangor, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a slatemaker by occupation, having learned and worked at that trade in his native land. The parental family consisted of fourteen children, seven of whom still survive: John, James H., William W., Thomas F., Harry, Elizabeth A. and our subject. Those deceased are Susanna, Emma, Mary, Kate and three who died unnamed.

The subject of this sketch mainly educated himself, having entered the quarries at a very early age. Here he learned all details of the slate business, which proved of great benefit to him in after years. In 1873 Mr. Amy came to Northampton County, and located in Pen Argyl, where he was employed in the quarries for about three months, after which he went to Chapman Quarries, where he remained for one year and eight months. At the expiration of this time he came to East Bangor, where he has since made his home. In 1877 he, in company with some other business men of East Bangor, leased a quarry and operated it under the name of Cotton Amy & Co. Two years later a new lease was obtained and the Star Slate Company was organized by the same men, but only three of the original operators are represented in the company at the present time. Our subject, who is manager and Treasurer of the enterprise, is also interested in the Standard Slate Company, and is connected with the American Bangor Quarry, of which he was the original discoverer. It is operated by a stock company and was opened in 1882. The products of the quarry are roofing slate, school slate and general milling stock for the manufacture of mantels, finishings, hearthstones, steps, etc.

In connection with other interests Mr. Amy is concerned in the Star Store of East Bangor and the Union Mercantile Store of Pen Argyl, and is also a partner in the United States Slate Company. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Bangor and the East Bangor Cemetery Association, of which he is President. He is a Republican in politics, and was elected the second Burgess of East Bangor after its organization. A member of the Council for three years, he gave entire satisfaction, and is now serving his sixth year as School Director, and third year as President of the board. He is an active worker in public affairs and is intelligently interested in the schools of his community.

May 28, 1865, our subject and Miss Eliza Ware were united in marriage. Her parents, Nicholas and Agnes Ware, were natives of Devonshire, England. Ten children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Amy, nine of whom still survive: Kate, the wife of C. S. Ford; Elizabeth, now Mrs. W. A. Bray; and William H, Moses W., James M., Edwin J., Emma M., Martha A. and C. E. Benedict.

Our subject and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the former is Trustee. Mr. Amy is also a local preacher, Class-leader and Sunday-school teacher, and is first Vice-President of the Epworth League. He is President of the Embury Local Preachers’ Association and was the representative of the same to the Wesleyan Local Preachers’ Mutual Aid Association at Hull, Yorkshire, England, June 10, 1893. Fraternally our subject is associated with Bangor Lodge No. 563, F. & A. M.; Bangor Chapter No. 274, R. A. M.; Hugh de Payen’s Commandery No. 19, at Easton, and is also a member of East Bangor Castle No. 183, Knights of the Golden Eagle. Among these various orders he has a host of friends, and is worthy of the confidence and esteem in which he is held.