The finding aid for the Aylett Rains Cotton Papers C057887

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Society of California Pioneers

Title: Aylett Rains Cotton Papers

Identifier/Call Number: C057887

Physical Description: 1 folder 1 Folder (2 typed manuscripts, 1 announcement of death)

Date (inclusive): 1826-1912

Abstract: This file contains the records of Aylett Rains Cotton who was the director of The Society of California Pioneers from July 1896 to July 1909, and was President of the Society from July 1889 to July 1899. Aylett R. Cotton arrived in San Franciosco on October 10th 1849 and joined the Society of Pioneers on October 1st, 1883. He passed away in San Francisco CA October 30th, 1912.

This file contains the records of Aylett Rains Cotton who was the director of The Society of California Pioneers from July 1896 to July 1909, and was President of the Society from July 1889 to July 1899. Aylett R. Cotton arrived in San Franciosco on October 10th 1849 and joined the Society of Pioneers on October 1st, 1883. He passed away in San Francisco CA October 30th, 1912. The first part of the three-part collection appears to be a diary entitled, "Diary of Aylett Rains", which includes a brief biography, by an unknown author, but is dictated by Cotton, and consists of the first four pages. The next two page are a brief history on his dealings with the Masonic Order and the remainder of the composition is Cotton's own much longer autobiography, which is a recollection of his earlier diary that was destroyed in the earthquake and conflagration in 1906. Also included is an announcement of Cotton's death, distributed by the "Supreme Council of the 33rd of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry." The last document is another biographical account of Cotton written by Judson N. Cross.

Mr Cotton was a Representative from Iowa; born in Austintown, Ohio, November 29, 1826; attended the local public schools and Cottage Hill Academy, Ellsworth, Ohio, in 1842 and 1843; taught school; moved to Iowa with his father, who settled near Dewitt, Clinton County, in 1844; attended Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., in 1845; taught school at Union Academy, Fayette County, Tenn., 1845-1847; returned to Iowa in 1847; studied law; was admitted to the Clinton County bar in 1848 and practiced; went to California in 1849 and engaged in mining on the Feather River; returned to Iowa in 1851 and settled in Lyons; county judge of Clinton County 1851-1853; prosecuting attorney of Clinton County in 1854; mayor of Lyons 1855-1857; member of the State constitutional convention in 1857; member of the State house of representatives 1868-1870, and served as speaker during the last term; elected as a Republican to the Forty-second and Forty-third Congresses (March 4, 1871-March 3, 1875); was not a candidate for renomination in 1874; returned to California in 1883 and engaged in the practice of law in San Francisco, Calif., where he died October 30, 1912; interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, San Mateo County, Calif.

Date and Source of Aquisition Not Known.

The Society of California Pioneers. 101 Montgomery St. Suite 150, Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco CA, 94129

The Aylett Rains Cotton Papers. The Society of California Pioneers.