Numbered among the well-to-do farmers and successful business men of
Adams township, LaSalle county, is he of whom this biography is penned. He
is one of the five children of John and Sarah (Young) Cottew, respected
pioneers of this county. The father was a native of Kent county, England,
born August 2, 1814, and his long, useful life was brought to a close August
29, 1892. His parents were poor, and he found it exceedingly difficult to
make a good living in his native isle, and for that reason he decided to try
his fortunes in the land of promise, America. It was in 1844 that he carried
out this resolution, coming the entire distance to Chicago by the water
route, from New York city by way of the canals and great lakes. In the
Garden City, as Chicago has since been known, he hired a teamster to convey
himself and family to LaSalle county. Here he bargained for a small tract of
land, procured a yoke of oxen, and for some time provided for his loved ones
by breaking prairie and other arduous work for the settlers of the
neighborhood. Industry and earnest effort always bring their reward, and in
the course of time this worthy man became one of the substantial farmers of
Adams township. During the early years of his residence here he gave his
ballot to the Democratic party; but when the great contest over the slavery
question came on he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party,
which he thenceforth supported. His wife was summoned first to the better
land, her death occurring December 30, 1887. Their eldest son, William,
enlisted in the Union army in the civil war, and died after the battle of
Shiloh, in which he was actively engaged. The three daughters survive,
namely: Harriet, wife of Walter Partridge, of Iowa; Mary Ann, wife of Henry
Shulz, of Otoe county, Nebraska; and Sarah A., Mrs. Edwin Moore, of Dawson
county, Nebraska.
Abram Cottew, born July 1, 1848, has passed his
entire life at his birthplace, the old farm in Adams township. Such
education as he possesses was acquired in the district schools, and from his
boyhood he has been familiar with farming, in its various departments.
Success has attended his efforts, and his farm, comprising two hundred and
fifty-two acres, in the southeastern corner of Adams township, is considered
one of the most desirable in this locality. Following in the political
footsteps of his father, he cast his first presidential ballot for Hayes,
and is loyal to the principles which the Republican party maintains.
The married life of Mr. Cottew was of brief duration. On the 22d of
February, 1882, he wedded Emma Lett, whose death occurred March 16, 1884,
and their only child, Ethel, passed into the silent land October 10, 1883.
Mrs. Cottew was a daughter of Robert Lett, who was a native of Ireland but
for some time after coming to America resided in Canada and spent his last
years in this county.
Extracted 22 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 546-547.
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Kendall |
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