Nicholas Cottrell, Dover, was born December 8, 1829, in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. His father was Rufus Cottrell, a native of Hampshire County, Massachusetts. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1868, aged seventy-four years, in Malden, Illinois. His grandfather, Nicholas Cottrell, was a native of Massachusetts, where he died; he was a blacksmith by occupation, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, where he served with distinction. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Odell) Cottrell, a native of Dutchess County, New York; she died in Malden, Illinois, in 1872, aged seventy-six years. She was the mother of eight children who reached maturity, viz.: Mrs. Eliza Lyman, James H., John V., Mrs. Mary Granger, Frank K., Nicholas, George W. and Giles H.
Our subject, Nicholas Cottrell, was educated in his native State, where he followed farming. He came to this county in 1855, and settled in Dover Township, Section 35. He has a fine farm of 190 acres.
Mr. Cottrell was married June 3, 1853, in Worthington, Massachusetts, to Miss Mary Cole, who was born May 7, 1831, in Worthington, Massachusetts. Her parents were Elijah and Freedom (Cowen) Cole. Mrs. Cottrell is the mother of three children, viz.: Junia A., wife of G. J. M. Porter, Cora M. and Herbert J.
Mr. and Mrs. Cottrell are active members of the Presbyterian Church. In political matters Mr. Cottrell is connected with the Republican party, and takes an active interest in all matters relating to the affairs of the county in which he resides, and of which is one of the most wide-awake citizens.
Source: History of Bureau County, Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Editor. World Publishing Company Chicago 1885