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Judge W. Cottingham
[Note: Judge J. W. Cottingham, like Littleton and J. R. Cottingham, raised hogs.]
[Judge Cottingham also handled cattle.]
HON. J. W. COTTINGHAM, who in 1901 was serving his second term in the office of probate judge of Cowley County, Kansas, was a gentleman of considerable prominence in the county, where he resided since 1869.
Judge J. W. Cottingham was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1842, and was a son of James and Nancy (Frakes) Cottingham, and grandson of William Cottingham. William Cottingham was born in Maryland, and was an early settler of Nicholas County, Kentucky, where he lived the remainder of his life.
James Cottingham, father of J. W., was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, where he was reared and attended the public schools. He spent most of his active career as a miller and farmer in Bourbon County, Kentucky, but lived in Woodford County during the latter days of his life. He died at the age of fifty years. His union with Nancy Frakes Cottingham (78 years old in 1901 and residing in Winfield, Kansas) resulted in the following offspring: J. W.; Thomas W.; Sarah E. (Hernden), deceased; James I.; and Lulu (Dennis), deceased. Mr. Cottingham was an Old Line Whig, and afterward, a Republican.
J. W. Cottingham was fifteen years of age when he moved to Woodford County, Kentucky, where he resided until 1869. In that year he journeyed west to Cowley County, Kansas, and located on a farm which formed part of the Osage Trust land. Upon the organization of the county in 1871, that section in which he was located became known as Richland Township. A portion of it became a part of Fairview Township, where he still owned his old home. He secured a deed to the property in 1872. He was always active in county politics, and became a staunch Populist.
He served on the school board of his township almost all the time since its organization. He was elected judge of the probate court of Cowley County in the fall of 1896, and in the spring of 1897 became a resident of Winfield. He was reelected in the fall of 1898, and was serving his second term in 1901.
Judge Cottingham married Elizabeth Hanna. They had three children: James R., member of the firm of Asp & Cottingham, of Guthrie, Oklahoma; Icy (Shaver), of Newkirk, Oklahoma; and Frank, a high school student in 1901.
Judge Cottingham was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Improved Order of Red Men. He and Mrs. Cottingham belonged to the Christian Church of Winfield.
[Note: It appears that Judge J. W. Cottingham was related to Littleton Cottingham. I set up a separate file covering J. R. Cottingham, who along with his father, “Lit,” handled hogs.]
CENSUS RECORDS: COTTINGHAM FAMILY.
Kansas 1875 Census Richland Township, Cowley County, March 1, 1875.
Name age sex color Place/birth Where from
L. Cottingham 60 m w Maryland Kentucky
W. L. Cottingham 41 m w Kentucky Kentucky
Nancy Cottingham 21 f w Kentucky Kentucky
Louisa Cottingham 14 f w Kansas
Anna Cottingham 12 f w Kansas
J. W. Cottingham 32 m w Kentucky Kentucky
Elizabeth Cottingham 31 f w Texas? Kentucky
J. R. Cottingham 9 m w Kentucky Kentucky
Icy? M. Cottingham 7 f w Kentucky Kentucky
J. I. Cottingham 23 m w Kentucky Kentucky
Addale? Cottingham 16 f w Indiana Indiana
James M. Cottingham 6m m w Kentucky Kentucky
CENSUS RECORDS.
Richland Township 1872:
Cottingham, J. R., 21.
Cottingham, J. W., 30; spouse, E. C., 27.
Cottingham, S., 56.
Cottingham, W. L., 38.
Richland Township 1874:
Cottingham, J. R., 23.
Cottingham, J. W., 32; spouse, Elizabeth, 30.
Cottingham, L., 60.
Cottingham, W. L., 40.
Richland Township 1878:
Cottingham, J. W.; spouse . Post Office Address Winfield.
Richland Township 1881:
Cottingham, W. L., 47.
FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
[Note: J. R. Cottingham under separate file: E:\hogs\CottinghamJR.wpd]
Winfield Messenger, March 15, 1872.
A protracted meeting of the Christian Church will commence on Sunday, the 27th of March, 1872, conducted by J. H. Irvin and J. W. Cottingham, at the residence of Capt. H. L. Barker, seven miles north of Winfield, on Timber Creek.
Winfield Messenger, August 16, 1872.
Dr. A. B. Modesitt, having located on a claim six miles north of Winfield, 1 ½ miles west of J. W. Cottingham’s, and two miles north of W. W. Limbocker’s, offers his professional services to the community. As the Doctor has had a successful practice in the east, he comes to us well recommended and will no doubt have a liberal share of the medical practice in this community.
Winfield Courier, December 24, 1874.
The following is a list of the different Township Relief Committees who have reported to the County Committee.
Richland Township: J. W. Cottingham, L. Stevens, S. W. Phoenix.
Winfield Courier, November 9, 1876.
J. W. Cottingham of Floral is added to the list of liars who turned loose on election day to defeat Manning.
[ATTACK AGAINST J. W. COTTINGHAM OF FLORAL.]
Winfield Courier, November 30, 1876.
From Floral.
DEAR COURIER: I see the Democratic paper in Winfield comes to the aid of J. W. Cottingham. That is right. Mr. Cottingham pretends to be a Republican, he pretends to be a reformer, he pretends to be a preacher of the gospel. How does his practice comport with his pretensions? At the last election he voted the straight Democratic ticket; as a reformer he told lies at the polls; as a preacher he bore false witness against his neighbor. Let Democrats defend him, but Republicans should not. Will he deny the charges himself?
A BELLE ISLANDER.
November 26, 1876.
[COMMUNICATION FROM J. W. COTTINGHAM—FLORAL.]
Winfield Courier, December 7, 1876.
From Floral.
FLORAL, DECEMBER 5, 1876.
Mr. Walton: In your first issue after the Election, you say J. W. Cottingham is added to the Liars list by working against the dis(honorable) E. C. M. If my influence assisted in his defeat, I am satisfied with the result, so just let me remain on the list. Again last week someone of my friends made some charges. When said Belle Islander lets himself appear in his proper name, then he will probably hear from us.
Now to the friends of (the Late) political aspirant, a word. When you attempt another fraud let us know & we will come round. J. W. COTTINGHAM.
We give place to the foregoing just as it comes from the hand of Rev. Cottingham. He does not deny what his neighbors say of him; he does not make any excuse or apology for the crime he has committed. His only answer is a low fling at Mr. Manning.
Whenever a scullion in politics makes an unreasonable statement in a political campaign, it is heard with many degrees of allowance. If a floating vagabond, whose home is anywhere in which his lip and characteristics can find a market, one without principle or character, willing to give his services to the party that will pay most for them, circulates stories in a political canvass, they have little weight with candid, sensible men. But when a man pretends to be a follower of Him who says: “The bruised reed ye shall not break,” “it is better to suffer than do wrong,” “Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor,” and being accepted in society as one governed by his professions, such an one should be careful in speaking that he has the truth on his side. Can Rev. Cottingham say “Thus have I done.”
This seems to be the complaint of his neighbors: pretending to be a Republican, he attacked Republican candidates and thereby influenced Republicans in their votes; pretending to be a christian, credit was given to a wicked and disgraceful falsehood which he oft repeated at the polls for the purpose of influencing votes. If Rev. J. W. Cottingham did not vote the straight Democratic ticket and often tell a wicked falsehood at the last election, why does he not say so? If he did not do so, his neighbors have no right to complain against him. If he did so wherein is he justified.
Censure attaches to no man who conscientiously casts any votes let him be ever so mistaken in his notions. But malice or hate or crime or fear should not be in the heart of a Reverend when he opens his lips to speak. He has our unanimous consent to remain on the “liar’s” list if he so desires.
Winfield Courier, April 19, 1877.
County Commissioners’ Proceedings.
OFFICE OF COUNTY CLERK,
Winfield, Kansas, April 11th, 1877.
Board of County Commissioners met in regular session. All the Board present with James McDermott, County Attorney, and M. G. Troup, County Clerk. Among other proceedings had, sundry claims were presented and passed upon as follows:
J. W. Cottingham, pauper bill: $63.00
J. W. Cottingham, pauper bill: $75.95
Winfield Courier, February 28, 1878.
FAIRVIEW, KANSAS, FEB. 25, 1878.
Mr. J. W. Cottingham, while on his way to town on last Saturday, met with a serious accident. His team became unmanageable, throwing J. W. from the wagon, and away they went, demolishing the wagon, and the load of wood. They were stopped by running into a slough where they were mired down.
[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]
Winfield Courier, April 18, 1878.
Commissioners’ Proceedings.
We are indebted to W. R. Stivers, the efficient assistant of the county clerk, for the following report.
The board of commissioners of Cowley County met in regular session at the county clerk’s office on the 8th day of April, 1878. Present: R. F. Burden, W. M. Sleeth, and George L. Gale, commissioners; James McDermott, county attorney, and M. G. Troup, county clerk.
The following bills were allowed.
GIVING NAME AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE ONLY...
J. W. Cottingham, pauper bill.
[REPORT FROM “SIMON” - FLORAL.]
Winfield Courier, January 27, 1881.
Mr. J. W. Cottingham’s mother is visiting him from Kentucky. January 18, 1881. A FEARFUL CYCLONE. FLORAL HIT HARD!
Winfield Courier, June 16, 1881.
The Telegram estimates losses as follows.
Mrs. A. Cottingham $250.
Mr. Cottingham $100.
Mrs. Addie Cottingham...
REPORT FROM “HAWKEYE” - EAST FAIRVIEW.]
Winfield Courier, November 17, 1881.
Mrs. Addie Cottingham has gone to Indiana.
Cowley County Courant, December 29, 1881.
And now comes Seth W. Chase, with seven February hogs that tipped the beam at 1,660 pounds. This lays J. W. Cottingham’s January porkers completely in the shade.
Winfield Courier, December 29, 1881.
M. J. Land sold six pigs, only seven months old, about two weeks ago, which average 200 pounds, for over eighty dollars. This beats Cottingham’s lot all out. Try again, J. W.
Winfield Courier, December 29, 1881.
And now comes Seth Chase with seven February pigs, which weigh sixteen hundred and sixty pounds: an average of 257-1/7 pounds each. Our friend, J. W. Cottingham, will have to do a little better. Seth’s pigs brought $58.81.
James I. Cottingham, deceased...
Cowley County Courant, January 5, 1882.
Petition filed for the sale of the real estate of J. I. Cottingham, deceased, and set for hearing Jan. 13, 1882.
[LEGAL NOTICES.]
Winfield Courier, January 5, 1882.
RECAP: PROBATE COURT, COWLEY COUNTY, IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES I. COTTINGHAM, DECEASED, NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO SELL REAL ESTATE. MENTIONS ADIE COTTINGHAM, WIDOW, AND WILLIAM W. COTTINGHAM, CHILD AND HEIR AT LAW OF JAMES I. COTTINGHAM, DECEASED. LAND TO BE SOLD: SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 25 AND THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 26, TOWNSHIP 31, SOUTH OF RANGE FOUR EAST.
JOHN W. COTTINGHAM, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES I. COTTINGHAM, DECEASED. WINFIELD, DEC. 27, 1881. M. G. TSOSIE [?], ATTORNEY FOR ADMINISTRATOR.
Cowley County Courant, January 19, 1882.
Claim of W. T. Wright against the estate of J. I. Cottingham for $60.00 has been allowed by Judge Gans.
Cowley County Courant, January 19, 1882.
An order has been made for the sale of real property belonging to the estate of J. I. Cottingham, deceased, for the payment of debts.
J. W. Cottingham...
Winfield Courier, January 19, 1882.
The Markets.
Hogs are booming along, and the receipts today are large. Mr. Cottingham, of Fairview, sold a very fine lot for $5.65 per hundred, to be weighed in the wagon. Other lots are going at from $5.50 to $5.55.
Cottingham, Timber Creek???...
Winfield Courier, July 27, 1882.
Anti-Monopoly Picnic.
We attended the Anti-monopoly rally at Baltimore last week. The day was pleasant, the people we met were most hospitable, and altogether we could hardly believe it was not a grand republican rally. The republicans certainly had a majority of the procession. The meet-ing was held in Cottingham’s grove, a very nice place, with Timber Creek running through it. We listened for an hour to a speech by Mr. Cole, an alleged candidate for Congress. He is a very pleasant gentleman but makes a very poor speech. The speech was a good appetizer, and we did full justice to an excellent dinner furnished by Mr. and Mrs. Cottingham. After dinner Judge Tipton made the only speech that was made during the day. The Judge would be a successful stump speaker if he belonged to a party whose positions were even tenable. After Judge Tipton, the Hon. Sam Wood, better known over the state as “Slippery Sam,” delivered his speech. Sam is still as voluminous as ever, and his howls for “the poor, down-trodden farmer” are loud and deep. Sam ought to be rewarded for his disinterested (?) Labors with something better than twenty-five cent subscriptions to his paper. On the way home we had the pleasure of taking tea at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Johnson. They have one of the finest places in the county, and neither monopolies or lack of greenbacks worry them. Such farmers as J. J. Johnson are living arguments against Sam Wood’s doctrine.
Winfield Courier, April 12, 1883.
Mr. J. W. Cottingham, of Fairview, had his residence burned last week. It caught fire at three o’clock in the morning and was entirely consumed, with most of the furniture. There was $300 insurance.
[SOUTH FAIRVIEW CORRESPONDENT: “ROBROY.”]
Winfield Courier, April 26, 1883.
Mr. Cottingham is rebuilding temporarily until after harvest when he will build a nice residence.
Winfield Courier, May 10, 1883.
Acknowledgment.
I take this method of acknowledging the prompt payment in full for my loss by fire to my dwelling house and contents, and desire to say to my friends and the public, if they seek reliable and prompt insurance, to insure in the German Insurance Company, of Freeport, Illinois, and with our townsman, Noble Caldwell, the company’s agent for Cowley County.
J. W. COTTINGHAM.
Mr. Cottingham???...
Winfield Courier, May 10, 1883.
The big cow, “Kansas Queen,” raised by Mr. Cottingham of this county, is now owned by Forepaugh and could not be bought for ten thousand dollars.
[SOUTH FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP CORRESPONDENT: “ROB ROY.”]
Winfield Courier, May 17, 1883.
John Cottingham is running quite a herd of cattle on the prairie west of him.
