Biography of Josiah Cottell, pages 683 / 684. History of De Kalb County, Indiana. Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885. Josiah Cottell was born in Burlington, N. J., Aug. 22, 1814, a son of John and Sarah (Grant) Cottell. When he was fifteen years of age his parents moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood. He was reared a farmer, but after reaching his majority learned the carpenter’s trade and worked at it fifteen years. In 1852 he came to De Kalb County, Ind., and bought a tract of wild land in Keyser Township, which he cleared and improved, and which is now transformed into one of the best farms on the county. He passed through all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and surmounting every difficulty, has gained the top of the ladder of prosperity. His farm contains 160 acres of land, his farm buildings are commodious, and his residence one of the best in the township. He has by his uprightness and success gained the confidence of the people, and has been chosen to transact the business of the township in several of its offices. Mr. Cottell was married in 1837 to Jane Chance, by whom he had one child, Sarah Jane (deceased). His wife died in 1839, and in 1842 he married Mary Teeters, of Stark County, Ohio. To them were born five children---John, James, Elizabeth, Winfield H. and George. The eldest and youngest only are living. Mrs. Cottell died in 1853, and in 1855 Mr. Cottell married Mrs. Annie Houser. They have three children---Theodore, Mary and Jonathan. Mrs. Cottell has two children by her former marriage--- John Henry and David. Politically Mr. Cottell is a Democrat. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com