Joseph C. Cotton

biography

Cotton, Joseph C., physician, Meadville, was born in Pennsylvania August 31, 1828, son of William and Elizabeth (Black) Cotton, both natives of Pennsylvania; the father of Scotch-Irish and the mother of English descent. William Cotton was a farmer and raised a family of six children. Our subject received his education at the common schools and at the high school of New Bedford, and also at the academy at Pulaski. He also attended Allegheny College for three years, and graduated therefrom in June, 1853. Left Allegheny College in senior year in 1849, read medicine and graduated and then returned to Allegheny College and graduated from both colleges in same year. In 1853 he graduated in medicine from Cleveland Medical College, practiced medicine for two years in Kentucky, and since 1855 has practiced in Meadville. Was a charter member of Crawford County Medical Society eighteen years ago, since which he has been an active member; is also a member of Pennsylvania State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. He was married in 1855, to Mary, daughter of Judge William Davis, and their children are William D. and Harry A. Dr. and Mrs. Cotton belong to the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been Trustee. For twelve years he was United States Examining Surgeon for pensions; he is politically a Republican.

History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania: containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885, page 723.