John S. Cotter, 1871-1938, 1910 Biography

COTTER, TAPLIN, DYNES, MCMALLEY, FERGUSON

Posted By: LuAnn (Wentworth) Goeke (email)
Date: 6/10/2011 at 21:11:51

JOHN S. COTTER.
A fine farm, which is located on section 16, Iowa township, comprising one hundred and fifty acres, is the home and also the birthplace of John S. Cotter, his natal day being June 23, 1871. His parents, Stewart and Alice (Dynes) Cotter, were both natives of Canada. In 1861 they crossed the border into the United States and made a permanent location on the farm which is now owned by the son. Here the father engaged in farming and in many ways was active in the development and progress made in this section of the state, living to see a wonderful change as the years went by. He continued to reside in Jackson county until the time of his death, which occurred on the 4th of March, 1901, when he was well advanced in years. His wife is still living and now makes her home with her son, the subject of this review. Five children blessed this union, namely: Catherine, the wife of Frank McMalley, a resident of Texas; Florence, deceased; Maggie, the wife of C.S. Ferguson, a resident of Savanna, Illinois; James, of Sabula, Iowa; and John S., of this review.
John S. Cotter was reared on the farm which is still his home, assisting his father in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting during the period of his youth and early manhood. He was accorded liberal educational advantages his common school education being supplemented by a college course. After putting aside his text-books he resumed work on the home farm, giving his father the benefit of his services until he had attained his majority, when he assumed the management of the farm, continuing its operation on his own account for five years prior to his fathers’ demise in 1901. He then purchased the interest of the other heirs in the place, which comprises one hundred and fifty acres, located on section 16, Iowa township. On the farm stands a good country residence, which is surrounded by barns and outbuildings adequate to shelter grain and stock, while the fields are highly cultivated through the progressive and modern methods of farming followed by the owner. In addition to general farming Mr. Cotter also makes a specialty of raising and breeding Duroc Jersey hogs, his sale of stock for breeding purposes amounting to a large figure annually.
Mr. Cotter was married on the 24th of March, 1898, to Miss May Day Taplin, a native of Jackson county and a daughter of Thomas Taplin, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cotter have been born five children but only three survive, these being: C.Stewart, who was born May 19, 1899; Kenneth L., born March 8, 1901; and Thomas T., whose birth occurred on the 5th of August, 1905. The two youngest, J.Earl and F.Meryl, twins, were born February 12, 1908, and both are now deceased.
In his political views Mr. Cotter is a republican. He has served as clerk of the township, while for twelve years he has acted as secretary of the school board. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 415, at Sabula, while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Although one of the younger representatives of agricultural interests in Jackson county he has already gained a place among its substantial citizens and that he has always remained within its borders is proof of his firm faith in its agricultural resources. – 1910 History of Jackson County Iowa, Vol. 2, pg 530-531.