JOHN COTTON
(great grandfather)
(1827 -1881)
KINDMAN TOWNSHIP, OHIO then EEL RIVER TOWNSHIP, INDIANA
Dr. John Cotton1,2, son of Captain Joshua Thomas Cotton & Elizabeth A. Williamson. Born in 1827 in Kindman Township, Trumbull County, Ohio.3 John died in Heller’s Corner, Eel River Township, Allen County, Indiana, on 24 Jan 1881; he was 54.4,5,6 Buried in Jan 1881 in Eel River Baptist Cemetery- Section B; Row 14.6
Brief Bio: John Cotton is referred to as “Dr.” John Cotton in his burial records and in affiavits in the Civil War Widow’s Pension Application submitted by his wife, Eliza A. Cotton. However, I have found no evidence of his having had any formal medical training other than that he received during the Civil War as a Hospital Steward.
In the 1880 Census, John Cotton age 54 with listed profession as “physician” and in this census his wife, Eliza A. shows age 41 and his son, Elmer, age 4. Also note that John’s place of birth shows Ohio, his father’s place of birth shows, Massachusetts, and his mother’s place of birth shows, Pennsylvania which helps to establish link to Joshua T. Cotton/Elizabeth Williamson.5
CIVIL WAR SERVICE:
John Cotton served in the Civil War in Company A of the 34th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry along with his younger brother Sylvester Cotton. John entered as a Private and was a Hospital Steward when the Civil War ended.7,8
____________________________________________________
Sept. 21, 1861 John Cottton volunteered and was enrolled at Anderson, Indiana as a Private in Company A of the 34th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry.7,8
Oct. 10, 1861 the 34th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana9
Nov. 15, 1861 the 34th moved to New Haven, Kentucky, was attached to the 10th Brigade, Army of the Ohio and remained in New Haven, Kentucky until December 14, 1861.9
Dec. 14, 1861 moved to Camp Wicliffe, Kentucky and remained on duty there until February 7, 1862.9
Jan & Feb. 1862 John Cotton was absent from duty with Company A of the 34th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry and detailed as a Hospital Nurse. His widow, Eliza A. Cotton, reported in her application for a pension that he was hospitalized for malaria, chronic diarrhea and disease of the lungs.8
Feb. 7, 1862 the 34th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry was attached to the 10th Brigade, 4th Division of the Army of the Ohio and moved to Green River, Kentucky until Feb. 14, 1862.9
Feb. 14, 1862 the 34th moved to the Ohio River.9
Feb. 17-20, 1862 relocated to Cairo, Illinois with Nelson’s Division of the Army of the Ohio
Feb. 27-March 3, 1862 the 34th detached from Nelson’s Division of the Army of the Ohio, moved to Commerce, Missouri and attached to 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of the Mississippi until April 1862.9
March 1862 John Cotton rejoined the 34th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a Hosptital Steward.8
March 5-14, 1862 the 34th laid siege to New Madrid, Missouri.9
March 15-April 8, 1862 the 34th laid siege to and caputured Island #10 on the Mississppi River and then took Riddell’s Point on March 17, 1862 .9
April 7, 1862 attached to 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Mississppi til July 1862 and garrisoned at New Madrid, Missouri.9
May 19-23, 1862 the 34th went on an expedition down the Mississippi River to Fort Pillow, Tennesse and captured Fort Pillow on June 5th.9
June 14-15, 1862 the 34th moved to Memphis, Tennesse then to Duvall’s Bluff on July 7th and Aberdeen on July 9th.9
July 14, 1862 the 34th arrived at Helena, Arkansas and joined the District of Eastern Arkansas, Department of Missouri until November 1862.9
Nov. 1862 the 34th was attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, Department of Tennesse until January 1863.9
Jan. 1863 the 34th was attached to 3rd Brigade, 12th Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee until August 1863.9
April 14, 1863 the 34th was ordered to Milliken’s Bend, Louisianna.9
April 25-30, 1863 the 34th moved on Bruinsburg and Grand Gulf.9
May 1, 1863 the 34th participated in the Battle of Port Gibson.9
May 12-13, 1863 the 34th fought at Fourteen-Mile Creek.9
May 16, 1863 the 34th fought at the Battle of Champion’s Hill.9
May 18-July 4, 1863 the 34th joined the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi and assaulted Vicksburg on May 19 and May 22nd.9
July 4-10, 1863 the 34th advanced on Jackson, Mississppi and laid siege to Jackson from July 10th through July 17th.9
Aug. 1863 the 34th was attached to the Department of the Gulf of Mexico until March 1864.9
Aug. 4, 1863 the 34th was ordered to New Orleans, Louisiana.9
Sept. 12, 1863 the 34th moved to Brashear City, Louisiana.9
Oct. 3-Nov. 30, 1863 the 34th particpated in the Western Louisiana Campaign and saw action at Grand Coteau on October 19th and Carrion Crow Bayou on November 3rd.9
Nov. 30, 1863 the 34th was reassigned to New Iberia until December 19th during which time the Regiment re-enlisted at New Iberia on Dec. 15, 1863.9
Dec. 23, 1863 to Jan. 8, 1864 the 34th moved to Pass Cavallo, Texas and were stationed there until February 21, 1864.9
Feb. 21, 1864 the 34th marched to New Orleans and remained on duty there until March 20th. During this time veterans of the regiment were given furlough until May 1864.9
Feb. 29, 1864 John Cotton was honorably discharged from service at Algiers, Louisiana and paid through Feb. 28, 1864.8
March 1864 the 34th attached to the Defenses of New Orleans and remained on duty at the New Orleans Garrision until June 16, 1865.9
December 1864 the 34th supplemented U.S. Forces in Texas and marched from Brazos to Santiago between May 11 to May 14, 1865 and saw their last action of the war at Palmetto Ranch on May 12th & 13th of 1865.9
May 23, 1865 the 34th camped at White’s Ranch for about a month and then were ordered to move 260 miles up the Rio Grande River to Ringgold Barracks. The trip took from June 16th to June 28th and the 34th remained at Ringgold Barracks until July 24, 1865.9
June 1865 the 34th was attached to the Department of Texas until February 1866.9
July 24, 1865 the 34th was reassigned to Brownsville, Texas and remained there until February of 1866.9
Feb. 3, 1866 the 34th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry was mustered out of service.9
______________________________________________________
During the Civil War the 34th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry lost a total of 243 men:9
- 2 officers killed or mortally wounded
- 32 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded
- 5 officers died of disease
- 204 enlisted men died of disease
Of those enlisted men who suffered from disease, John Cotton was hospitalized early in the war, recovered and went on to serve faithfully as a Hospital Steward for over two and a half years.8
_____________________________________________
Will of Dr. John Cotton
(From: Allen Country, Indiana Probate Records 1824-1899)
JOHN COTTON
February 18, 1881
In the name of the Benevolent Father of all.
I, John Cotton, of the County of Allen and State of Indiana do make and publish this my last will and testament:
Item 1st: I give and bequeath to my son, John Cotton, Five-Dollars.
Item 2nd: I give and bequeath to my son, Joseph B. Cotton, Five-Dollars.
Item 3rd: I give and bequeath to my son, Robert M. Cotton, One Hundred Dollars.
Item 4th: It is my will that no sale, division or distribution be made of the residue of my estate, either real or persoanl after payment of all specified requests and expenses of my last sickness and funeral expenses: (except that my executor, here-in-after named, shall have the power to sell at his discretion such articles of personal property as he may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying on my farm, or for the use of my family.) but that is may be and remain undivided until my youngest child shall become twenty-one years of age, or if he shall not live until that age, then until my yougest living child shall have attained the age of twenty-one years and then I wish all my property to be divided between my wife, Eliza A. Cotton, and my four children by her (or such of them as may then be living) to share and share alike.
It is my will that the house in which I am now living shall be occupied by my wife and family until the time for the distribution of my estate as herein before directed.
I, hereby, nominate and appoint Burt S. Butt of Allen County, Indiana, my executor and it is my will that my said executor shall have full control and management of the farm on which I now live and that he shall maintain my family and eductate my four children by my wie, Eliza A., out of the proceeds of my farm and hold the overplus, if any, until the final distribution of my estate, as herein before directed.
It is my will that provided my said wife, Eliza A., shall refuse to accept the provision made for here herein, but shall claim her one third of my property under the statute, then the remaining two-thirds, shall be divided equally amoung my seven children or such of them as may be living share and share alike.
In testimony hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 8th day of January in the year 1881.
John Cotton (signature and seal)
Signed and acknowledged by said
John Cotton, as his Last Will and
Testament in our presence; and
Signed by us in his presence.
Charles F. Sipes (signature)
John F. Criswell (signature)
________________________________________________________________________
1860 Dr. John Cotton living in Jefferson Township, Wells County, Indiana.
1870 Dr. John Cotton living in Cedaar Creek Township, Allen County, Indiana.
On 1 Jan 1848 when John was 21, he first married Sarah Higley, daughter of Robert M. Higley & Lydia Mary Conant, in Windham (Portgage), Preble County, Ohio. Born on 30 Sep 1834 in Windham (Portgage), Preble County, Ohio. Sarah died in Windham (Portgage), Preble County, Ohio, on 9 Dec 1853; she was 19.
They had one child: Robert McKown (1849-)
On 5 Apr 1864 when John was 37, he second married Elizabeth J. Riddle, daughter of Joseph B. Riddle & Traney Knox, in Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana. Born in 1842 in Belleville, Richland County, Ohio. Elizabeth J. died in Unknown.
They had one child: Joseph B. (~1865-)
On 26 Feb 1866 when John was 39, he third married Eliza Knox10, daughter of William Knox & Isabell Beatty, Noble County, Indiana.11 Born on 25 Aug 1840 in Richland County, Ohio.10,3 Eliza died in Churubusco, Whitley County, Indiana, on 21 May 1922; she was 81.10,6
They had the following children:
i. Otho (1868-1948)
ii. Lola B. (1872-)
iii. Elsworth (Twin) (1874-1875)
iv. Elmer K. (Twin) (1874-1937)
v. John B. (1876-1906)
Second Generation
_____________________________________________________________
- Robert McKown Cotton. Born on 9 Jun 1849 in Allen County, Indiana. Robert McKown died in Unknown. Abt 1870 when Robert McKown was 20, he married Lina Brown. Born abt 1850 in Livingston, Minnesota.
They had the following children:
- Grace Rena
- Nina B.
- Lyra H.
3. Joseph B. Cotton. Born abt 1865 in Allen County, Indiana. Joseph B. died in Unknown.
- Otho Cotton. Born in 1868 in Allen County, Indiana. Otho died in Allen County, Indiana, in 1948; he was 80. Abt 1890 when Otho was 22, he first married Gladys Cotton in Allen County, Indiana. On 16 Nov 1899 when Otho was 31, he second married Ida D. Chase, daughter of Levi Chase & Sarah Rhodes, in Allen County, Indiana. Born on 21 Jul 1876 in Unknown. Ida D. died in Allen County, Indiana, on 3 Mar 1927; she was 50.
They had the following children:
- Gladys I. (1904-1905)
- Ruth Irene (1914-)
- Mabel
- Edna
5. Lola B. Cotton. Born in 1872 in Allen County, Indiana. Lola B. died in Unknown. On 29 Nov 1894 when Lola B. was 22, she married Arthur Jackson in Allen County, Indiana. Born in Unknown. Arthur died in Unknown.
- Elsworth Cotton. Born on 23 Sep 1874 in Allen County, Indiana. Elsworth died in Allen County, Indiana, on 4 Sep 1875; he was <1.
- Elmer K. Cotton. Born on 23 Sep 1874 in Eel River Township, Allen County, Indiana.12 Elmer K. died in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, on 4 Nov 1937; he was 63.12 Buried in Nov 1937 in Eel River Baptist Cemetery- Section 9.6 On 24 Nov 1900 when Elmer K. was 26, he married Mamie F. Arnold, daughter of Henry Arnold & Catherine Mahan, in Allen County, Indiana.12,13,14,15 Born on 5 Jun 1880 in Allen County, Indiana.16,16 Mamie F. died in Churubusco, Whitley County, Indiana, on 24 Oct 1931; she was 51.14
They had the following children:
- Voyle (1905-1911)
- Gerald Elmer (1913-1935)
- Prof. Hugh Arthur (Twin) (1918-1990)
- Helen L. (Twin) (1918-1919)
6. John B. Cotton. Born on 1 Apr 1876 in Allen County, Indiana. John B. died in Allen County, Indiana, on 5 Mar 1906; he was 29.
Sources
- “General Affidavit of Marital Status,” October 1888, For Civil War Widow Pension Application of Eliza A. Cotton, Churubusco, Whitley County, Indiana, USA, Eliza A. Cotton listing her children to include Elmer Cotton then age 15.
- Elizabeth Cotton vs Eliza Allen et. al Complaint for Partition, August 1865, Wells County Circuit Court, T. W. Wilson, Plaintiff’s Attorney.
- “1880 Census of the United States of America,” Eel River Township, Allen County, Indiana, USA, June 4, 1880, 1-101/5-1, Allen County Library, July 1999.
- “General Affidavit of Death,” October 1888, For Civil War Widow Pension Application of Eliza A. Cotton, Churubusco, Whitley County, Indiana, USA, John Flaiswell, attending physician at the death of John Cotton on Jan. 24, 1881.
- Churubusco, Whitley County, Indiana, Jan. 26, 1881, Undertaker Record, The Estate of Doctor John Cotton: for his casket & box $35; for 1 robe $6; for 1 shirt $1; for 1 pair of gloves $.25; for a yard of blue crape $.25. Died Jan. 24, 1881, aged 55 yrs.; Eel River Cemetery B-14, Roberson Undertakers.
- Allen County, Indiana, 1980, Cemetery Readings of Eel River and Riverview Cemeteries, Stuart Harter, R.R. 2, Churubusco, Indiana.
- Gen. James K. Gore, Adjutant-General, et al, Record of Indiana Volunteers in the Spanish-American War, Issued by Authority of the 61st General Assembly of Indiana, Wm. B. Burford, Contractor for State Printing and Binding, Indianapolis, 1900, page 247.
- “War Department Record and Pension Division,” Application for Civil War Service Pension, Eliza K. Cotton (widow of John Cotton), 9 9 1898, Department of Interior Bureau of Pension File 501736, Churubusco, Whitley County, Indiana, USA, James E. Graham, Solicitor of Government Claims, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA, Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions.
- Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of Rebellion, Copyright 1908.
- “Certificate of Death,” May 22, 1922, Churubusco, Whitely County, Indiana, USA, 17372, Jesse H. Briggs, MD attending physician at death of Eliza A. Cotton, paper certificate, Indiana State Board of Health.
- “Marriage License & Marriage Record,” 2 26 1866, Noble County, Indiana, USA, Book 1, Page 586, Noble County Circuit Court, Registration Book, Noble County Court House, Indiana, USA.
- “Standard Certificate of Death,” 11 4 1937, Fort Wayne Indiana Methodist Hospital, 33967, 1108, paper certificate, Indiana State Board of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics.
- “Declaration for Pension (Act of June 5, 1920),” War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and China Relief Expedition, Elmer K. Cotton, 6 19 1920, X C-2 443 41, Whitley County, Indiana, H. Waveland Kerr, Attorney at Law, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions.
- “Standard Certificate of Death,” 10 24 1931, Fort Wayne Indiana Methodist Hospital, 32641, paper certificate, Indiana State Board of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics.
- Allen County, Indiana, Index to Marriage Records 1824-1920 Inclusive, Volume I, Letters A – E Inclusive, Book 24; OS Page 305.
- “Standard Certificate of Death,” 10 24 1931, Fort Wayne Indiana Methodist Hospital, 32641, paper certificate, Indiana State Board of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics, for Mamie F. Cotton.