Aylett R. Cotton 1826 - 1912

COTTON, PASCAL

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 2/4/2008 at 21:47:36

The Clinton Herald Wednesday October 30, 1912 p. 6 Judge Aylett R. Cotton, at one time one of Clinton county's most prominent residents, passed away at his home in San Francisco Tuesday according to a telegram received Wednesday by F.M. Howard, registrar of DeMolay consistory, A.A.S.R. Masons, from Mrs. Cotton. No word has been received as to funeral arrangements but it is presumed that interment will take place in California. For years, Judge Cotton had offices in the Davis block, previous to that time practicing law in DeWitt and Lyons. His parents came to Clinton county in 1844 and in 1849 he journeyed to California, returning later and beginning the practice of law in DeWitt. He was elected county judge at the time when Clinton county had county judges in place of the present district judges. Judge Cotton then moved to Lyons and practiced law there for a number of years, coming to Clinton in 1868 or 1869, practicing here until 1882, when he moved to California. He was a member of the Iowa state legislature during the sessions of the twelfth and thirteenth general assemblies in 1868 and 1870 and was speaker of the house in 1870. He served the district as congressman from 1871 to 1875. In addition, Judge Cotton was at one time grand master of the Iowa consistory of Masons and a member of DeMolay consistory, A.A.S.R. Masons. He was married twice. In addition to his bereaved wife, he leaves a son who is now practicing law in Portland, Ore.; and is prominent in his profession, being attorney for practically every railroad which enters the city, and was at one time named as United States judge but declined the appointment. Two other sons and one daughter also are left to mourn the death of Judge Cotton. In addition, Judge Cotton leaves a brother, Salem Cotton, now residing in DeWitt, and a sister, Mrs. Pascal, also of DeWitt. W.A. Cotton, who recently died in DeWitt, was a brother.