THOMAS COTTRELL, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and resides on section 22, in the town of Milton, is numbered among Rock County's best citizens. He was born in the town of Petersburg, Rensselaer Co., N.Y., on the 14th day of January, 1814, and is a son of Benjamin and Polly (Burdick) Cottrell. His parents were natives of Rhode Island, but settled in Rensselaer County at an early day, there residing during the remainder of their lives. Both were called to their final rest in 1848. They were members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church and were consistent Christian people, whose daily endeavor it was to follow the example of the Master. To them were born a family of nine children who grew to manhood and womanhood, but of that number only three are now living. Two children also died in infancy. Those who still survive are Thomas of this sketch; Sarah, who makes her home with her brother; and Louisa, wife of Howard Humphrey, a resident of Dane County, Wis.
The education of our subject was received in his native county. His father being in delicate health, at the early age of fourteen years, the entire management and control of the farm devolved upon him, but though the task was an arduous one for his young shoulders, nobly did he discharge the duty. He continued to make his home with his parents, working and caring for them who had lovingly cared for him in his younger days, for many years. The family removed to Allegany County, N.Y., where he cleared and improved 100 acres of land, placing it all under a high state of cultivation. In 1846, Mr. Cottrell was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth McHenry, and to them were born three children. Death visited the home, and within two years he laid to rest his wife, his parents and a sister.
Bowed down with grief, the stricken man decided to dispose of his property in the East and cast his lot with the people of Wisconsin. In 1852 he left his home and went to Dane County, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres upon which he lived for fifteen years. He was again married while a resident of Dane County, becoming the husband of Miss Emeline Martin. Nine years of happy wedded life had sped by, when again the home of Mr. Cottrell was made desolate by the death of his loving wife. He continued to reside in Dane County until 1867, when selling his property he came to Rock County and purchased eighty acres of land on section 22, in the town of Milton. Twenty-two years he has there made his home, and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of the community. His third marriage was celebrated in 1867, when he led to the hymeneal altar Miss Rebecca Burdick. Their union has been blessed with two children - Lorena D., was born Nov. 25, 1869; and Eldon C., Dec. 22, 1870. Though his path has been strewn with many difficulties, and great have been the obstacles in his way, Mr. Cottrell has steadily worked on until he now has a comfortable competency. Much sorrow has visited him, yet with the assistance of Him from whom all help comes, he has borne the affliction with the Christian fortitude and been strengthened by the trial. At the age of fourteen he united with the Seventh Day Baptist Church and has been an active worker in the Master's vineyard for sixty-one years. His wife also holds membership in the same church, and they are honored by all for their kind and generous words of sympathy and encouragement to those who have given away to despondency. Mr. Cottrell was a supporter of the Democratic party until the time of the Kansas trouble, when realizing that the object of that party was to enslave millions of human family, he joined the Republican party with which he acted for many years. The Prohibition party springing into existence, he joined its ranks and has since been an active worker in the temperance reformation. Mr. Cottrell is now an old man, but can look back over the years that are passed and gone with no regret, and forward to the future with no fears.
