JOHN COTNER, farmer, P. O. Clear Creek Lauding. His grandparents were natives of Missouri, and there David Cotner, the father of our subject, was born. From there he came to Alexander County when a young man, and married Mary Clapp, a daughter of Audey Clapp, and settled down in the south part of the county, from which place he soon went to Jonesboro Precinct, Union County, where he carried on the trade of a hatter, and also farmed. Here subject was born in June 1815, and was the third of seven children. He received his education in the old subscription schools, walking backward and forward three miles a day. His father died when he was about ten years old, and his mother, soon after her husband's death, came to Alexander County, and settled in North Cairo Precinct. There she died when subject was about sixteen years old, and after that the latter commenced working out. After six years' experience as a farm hand, he commenced life for himself on a rented farm, in North Cairo Precinct. Afterward he rented, at different times, other farms until 1860, when he purchased his present farm, a tract of 100 acres, in Sections 8 and 5, Town 16, Range 3 west. Mr. Cotner was married March 11, 1833, to Rosanna Gattling, who died in 1838. His second marriage was to a Miss Rachael Thompson, in 1840. This lady also died in 184:6. He was married the third time to Eliza Wright, who was born April 8, 1829. This lady is the mother of ten children six of whom are living, viz.: William, born November 9, 1849; David, born December 23, 1854; John, born September 8, 1860; Louis, born February 25, 1864; Edward, born September 14, 1868; and Charles, born October 14, 1870. Mrs. Cotner died July 14, 1879. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is a Republican in politics, and has served his township as School Director for twelve years.
Extracted 29 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, page 236.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
