Representative John Chapman Cottrell View All Years

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John Chapman Cottrell

Plymouth County

Representative from Plymouth county. Born of American parentage on a farm near Johnsonville, Rensselaer county, New York. His parents moved to Iowa in 1870, locating on a farm near Belle Plaine, in Benton county. He had a common school education, except one year in graded school. Commenced teaching winter school when fifteen years of age and worked on the farm the balance of the year. Was married June 29, 1881, to Amelia Vandike, daughter of H. W. Vandike, who was one of Benton county's earliest settlers. Has two daughters and one son. He moved to Plymouth county in July, 1888. Followed farming until 1893, when he moved to Kingsley, where he now resides. Was postmaster of Kingsley under Cleveland. Was mayor two terms and also served as president of the school board. Elected Representative in 1899 and served during the Twenty-eighth General Assembly: Defeated for re-election in 1901 by fifteen votes. Elected Representative again in 1906.

House District 78