[p. 433] a retired citizen of Pulaski, who was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Pulaski Township for many years, and still retains his farm of ninety acres, was born in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1831. He is a son of Hugh and Diadema (Drake) Cotton.
Hugh Cotton was also born in Pulaski Township and was a son of William Cotton, who was the founder of the family in this section. William Cotton was a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania. From there he came to Lawrence County before many settlements had been made in this then wild section, and he secured 600 acres of land in Pulaski Township, with forethought providing for his descendants. His son Hugh inherited a just proportion of this land and lived on it until the close of his life in 1852. He was twice married and three of his children still survive, namely: William, Mary D., residing at Jackville, Pennsylvania, who is the widow of Samuel McBride and Sarah D., who is the widow of John Dean, formerly of Harlansburg. She now resides at Slippery Rock, in Butler County. In his early political life, Hugh Cotton was a Whig. He was possessed of a strong character and he was known for his justice and his benevolence.
William Cotton attended the district schools through boyhood, which, in spite of their limitations, produced men and women capable of performing well their parts in life. He also had private instruction and, although he devoted his life through his active years, exclusively to agricultural pursuits, he would probably have been equally successful in other fields. His farm of ninety acres in Pulaski Township is a valuable property, the land being well adapted both to general tillage and to the raising of stock. For many years Mr. Cotton cultivated this land, but in 1896 he rested the burden on younger shoulders and with his estimable wife retired to Pulaski, where they enjoy a comfortable home.
On April 30, 1857, Mr. Cotton was married to Eliza A. Kerchoff, who was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Moreland) Kerchoff. Daniel Kerchoff was of German extraction but he was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His wife had English ancestors, but was born in Chester County. In 1850 the Kerchoffs came from Berks to Lawrence County and located at New Castle, where both Daniel Kerchoff and wife died. Five of their children survive, namely: Reuben, residing at New Castle; Mary, widow of Philip Altenderfer, residing at Reading; Sarah, widow of James Chambers, residing at New Castle; Eliza A.,who is the wife of William Cotton, and Rebecca, who is the widow of Joseph Cubbison, residing at New Castle. To William Cotton and wife were born six children, namely: Jesse L., formerly pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, occupies the chair of Hebrew at Princeton University, being a man of brilliant attainments; Rhoda M., who is the wife of William M. Webb, a well known attorney at Akron, Ohio; Samuel R., residing in Pulaski Township, and three deceased.
In politics, Mr. Cotton has consistently supported the candidates of the Republican party. He is a man of pronounced temperance principles and ever lends his influence to assist legislation on this subject. With his wife he belongs to the Presbyterian Church at Pulaski, in which he is a ruling elder. On April 30, 1907, was celebrated the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Cotton, and it was a very interesting occasion.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 22 Oct 2001