Andrew Jackson Cottrell

COTTRELL, WRAY, PAXTON

Posted By: Mark Cottrell (email)
Date: 9/7/2009 at 19:46:53

Andrew Jackson Cottrell was born 04/05/1829 in Silver Creek Twp. in Greene Co. Ohio to George Birdwell Cottrell & Hepzabeth {Noggle} Cottrell.

He moved with his family to Buchanan, Michigan in Berrien Co. in 1845. Andrew married Martha Jane Wray 10/30/1853 at the home of her parents Titus & Rebecca {Paxton} Wray in Buchanan according to their marriage certificate. Andrew & Martha moved to Rock Grove City, Iowa in 1858 where Martha's parents were already living.

Andrew was a carpenter & bought 2 lots for $50 on 02/28/1862 in Rock Grove City according to a deed found at the Floyd Co. Courthouse & built at least one home there. They had 2 sons Aquila J Cottrell & Delbert A Cottrell born in Michigan & a daughter Lillie M V Cottrell born at Rock Grove City.

According to his Pension file Andrew left his family to enlist in the Civil War with the 9th Iowa Volunteer Cavalry Co. "C" on 07/17/1863 at Charles City Iowa. He was honorably discharged 04/12/1866 in Memphis, Tennessee & returned home & bought 2 more lots in Rock Grove City for $20 according to another deed. One more daughter Minnie Esther Cottrell is born in Rock Grove City 03/04/1867 before Andrew moves his family to Clear Lake, Iowa in 1869. He sells the 4 lots for $300 on another deed for a $230 profit in 7 years. Rock Grove City started dying out about that time because the Chicago Milwaukee & St Paul Railroad located about one mile north of Rock Grove City & Nora Springs popped up & flourished. Andrew & Martha lived in Clear lake until 1883 when he bought 80 acres of farm ground one mile south of Fertile, Iowa That is where my great great granddad Andrew Jackson Cottrell died 08/15/1895. His wife Martha Jane {Wray} Cottrell my great great grandmother died there also on 05/05/1912.

As a side note Andrew had 4 brothers who also volunteered for service during the Civil War. One was shot at "Shiloh" & died 05/21/1862 at an Evansville, Indiana Hospital.