1882 History of Linn County, Missouri

BIOGRAPHY

WILLIAM COTTER                                                                 Benton Township, page 761

    “This gentleman, who is a native of Tennessee, and son of Stephen W. and Elizabeth Cotter, was three years in the government service during the civil war.  He was in the company commanded by Captain Rice Morris, of the Twenty-third Missouri, and he enlisted in August, 1861.  Was in the battle of Shiloh, and was with Sherman at Atlanta and Jonesborough.  Mr. Cotter lived in his native State till he was about eight years old, and then moved to Osage county, Missouri, where he lived two years, and thence to Linn county in 1844.  The date of his birth was December 17, 1834.  He has been engaged in farming all his life, except the three years he was in the war.  He was married November 4, 1858, to Mary Oxley, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Eli H. and Mary Oxley, natives of Kentucky.  They have had eleven children, ten of whom still survive: Amanda E., Mary J., James E. (deceased), Lydia E., Vina Melcena, Benjamin S., Sallie O., Minnie B., Annie S., William and John M.  Mr. Cotter is perhaps as young a looking man of his age as can be found anywhere.”

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Transcribed, in total, by kkfitch © 2008.  All Rights Reserved.