History of James Alfred Cottrell

James Alfred Cottrell was born on February 7, 1858 in the village of Theale Parish of Tilehurst, County of Berkshire, England and christened on August 4, 1861. He was the son of Charles Cottrell, born 3 Apr 1835 in Kentish Town, Pancras, Middlesex, England and Eleanor Whiteman Cottrell, born 22 May 1836, in Kingstone, London, England. They were married on 27 May 1855 in London, Middlesex, England and 14 children were born to this union, five dying before the age of 3 years.

Charles Henry Raphael       b 3 Jun 1856,        St Johns, London, England          d  Apr 1857

James Alfred                      b 7 Feb 1858,        Theale, Berkshire, England

Raphael                              b 24 Jul 1859         Theale Reading, Berkshire, England

George                               b 27 May 1861     Reading, Berkshire, England

Eleanor Sarah                     b 28 Mar 1863      Reading, Berkshire, England

Charles                              b 7 Dec 1864         Reading, Berkshire, England

Emma Elizabeth Martha       b 29 Oct 1866        Reading, Berkshire, England       d  Aug 1869

Louisa May                 b 29 Sep 1868        Kentish Town, St Pancras, Middlesex, England    d  Aug 1869

Henry                                 b 20 Sep 1870        Kentish Town, St Pancras, Middlesex, England            

Walter                                b 13 Sep 1872        Kentish Town, St Pancras, Middlesex, England

Mary                                  b 21 Dec 1873        North Finchley, Middlesex, England      d  7 Dec 1874

Emily                                 b 25 May 1877      North Finchley, Middlesex, England

Alice                                  b 21 Jun 1879        North Finchley, Middlesex, England

Ann Francis                       b 21 Oct 1882        Kaysville, Davis, Utah                  d 16 Aug 1883

James was born in the church and was baptized when he was nine years of age at Reading Branch, Reading Conference, England. Unlike other boys in this day and age he was not given the advantages of an education and at the early age of ten years he was taken from school and entered into his life long profession as a plasterer. For ten years he was an apprentice in this humble progression. It was custom in those days that ten years be required to become an expert in the trade.

When James was twenty and his brother George was seventeen they decided to leave their family and their beloved England and immigrate to America. Their father’s brother Edward, half-brother Raphael Henry and half-sisters Augusta and Mary Ann had immigrated earlier and had settled in Kaysville, Utah[i]. On Saturday October 19, 1878 they boarded the steamship S.S. Wyoming sailing from Liverpool, England to New York, New York in America. This was to be the last emigrating company of Latter-Day Saints for the season with 145 LDS immigrants aboard and under the church leadership of Aurelius Miner. The seas were quite rough and the emigrants suffered from sea sickness and some even suffered bumps and bruises. It was reported that one of the passengers but not an LDS emigrant had died from a heart condition and was buried at sea. Other than that the trip was un-eventful. On the last day they were all up before 5am because the cry had gone out that land was in sight. A number of sky rockets were thrown up in the air; so that searchlight men could telegraph the approach of the steamship. They arrived in the New York Harbor about 10am on October 29^th.  Their trunks and bundles were searched by the customs officers before catching trains to their final destination, for most it was Salt Lake City, Utah. The emigrants were kept in close quarters because they were warned that there were characters that would try to lead the young women astray.

They were taken to the rail station in Jersey about 7pm where they waited until 9:30pm for the train to arrive. It consisted of emigrant cars with wooden seats, and the user had to furnish clean cushions, if they had any. There were stoves in each car that could be used for cooking. At Chicago they had a chance to replenish their supplies and also in Omaha. They arrived in Fort Kearney[ii] on Sunday November 3^rd and services were held in each car.

In Fort Steele, Wyoming[iii] an extra engine was added to help the train get over the pass.  About this time body lice was discovered and the blame was put on the seats.  Upon arriving in Ogden, Utah, James and George along with other passengers that were traveling on to Salt Lake were taken off of the U.S. train and put on the Utah Southern. James and George got off the train in Kaysville, a very prosperous pioneer town.

For about two years these two young men lived with family members that came on ahead of them. They worked diligently at whatever they could acquire such as railroading, and farming, George going as far away as Leamington, Millard, Utah to work as a ranch hand,[iv] saving all they could in order for the rest of the family to join them in Zion. On October 22, 1880, James’s parents Charles and Eleanor, his sister’s Eleanor Sarah, Emily and Alice, his brother’s Charles Jr., Henry and Walter left their home in London, England and boarded the steamship Wisconsin in Liverpool. They arrived in New York in November then traveled on to Kaysville where they had family waiting for them. After the arrival of the rest of the family they all set out to establish a home for themselves.

In November of 1885 tragedy hit the Cottrell family, James’s younger brother Henry was thrown from a wagon and died instantly of head injuries[v].

Kaysville like many other small pioneer towns had many social activities.[vi] James was a member of “The Old Kaysville Brass Band” in which he played the tuba; he also was part of the choir. It is unknown when or where James met his future wife but with many social events James and Edith were bound to meet. Edith Sarah Layton was the daughter of pioneer parents Charles Layton and Sarah Ambrozine Crockett Layton.  On November 20, 1887 James was re-baptized and on November 23, 1887 in the Logan Temple James and Edith were married for all eternity. There were 6 children born to this union.

Nettie Alberta                       b 27 Oct 1888        Kaysville, Davis, Utah

Henry James                         b 11 Jan 1890         Kaysville, Davis, Utah

Grace Edith                            b 17 Jul 1891          Kaysville, Davis, Utah

Ralph Layton                        b 11 Dec 1895        Mountain View, Alberta Canada

Doris Alice                            b 5 Oct 1899          Kaysville, Davis, Utah

Carl Bruce                              b 3 Oct 1905          Kaysville, Davis, Utah

James built a small home where they lived for about one year and in the spring of 1889 James, Edith and their infant daughter Nettie or Alberta as she was called, along with several other families including Edith’s parents and some of her brothers and sisters traveled by team and wagon to Cardston, Alberta, Canada to take up homesteading and become pioneers of that country. At that time that part of Canada was suffering a server drought so after a few weeks James and his family, disappointed and discouraged returned home to Kaysville. James built his family a new home were they lived for about five years and again James and his family became active members not only in Kay’s Ward but in the community as well.

James served as choir leader in Kay’s ward from 1885 to 1894 and between 1892 and 1894 he served as a councilman for Mayor Hyrum Stewart. In the year 1894 the United States was going through a depression and many men were out of work including James. He was a plasterer and a mason and as no buildings were being erected he was unable to find employment. James and Edith decided to return to Canada and try homesteading again; they made arrangements to stay at the home of Samuel Layton, one of Edith’s brothers until they could build a home of their own. In July of 1894 James, Edith and their 3 young children started out for the long trip but this time they decided to go by way of train. One of the train’s stops was in Great Falls, Montana where the family spent the night in a hotel room. The following morning the family learned that the hotel room that they had occupied had been used previously by a family that had been ill with measles and they had checked out the day that James and his family had arrived. On to Canada they went but soon after they arrived Alberta, Henry (or Harry as his family called him), and Grace all came down with the measles.

James being an English tradesman from London knew very little about ranching and had much to learn. He took up a quarter section of land in Mountain View which was about 15 miles west of Cardston. There he built a log house of two rooms and a lean-to with a shingled roof and a brick chimney…the only house with such grandeur.  At that time Mountain View was a little village of six homes built of logs with dirt roofs, a log building was used as the schoolhouse as well for church services were James served as choir leader.

In 1895, Sarah Ambrozine Crockett Layton, Edith’s mother traveled to Canada for a visit and on December 11^th Sarah, being a midwife, helped in the delivery of her grandson Ralph Layton. When she prepared to return home an extreme cold wave hit that area, Sarah attempted to return the sixty-five miles to the station with the thermometer registering forty-eight degrees below zero but the mail man refused to take her to the station until the temperature went up to eighteen degrees below zero.

James and his family homesteaded the land for the 3 years that was required to own the land.  On June 6, 1897, eight and half  year old Alberta was baptized in a mountain stream that flowed through the tiny settlement and in July the family packed up their belongings and returned to Kaysville arriving just in time for the 24^th of July celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the coming of the Pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley. Upon James’s return he re-joined the “Kaysville Brass Band” starting with the 24^th of July parade.

James built another home in Kaysville where the family lived for the next 23 years. The children attended school in the same two room school house that their mother Edith had attended when she was a girl. When they were a little older, (grades fifth through the eighth grades), they attended school at the Academy Building. Church services were at the old adobe meetinghouse on West Center Street, (built between 1855 and 1863).

Music was a big part of the Cottrell home even for the children, in June 1901 two of their children Alberta and Harry, became the first pupils of Myrtle Jones Phillips when they began formal music lessons --- Over the years James’s name appeared many times in different newspaper for his music related experiences.[vii]  James served as choir director of the tabernacle for 6 years but resigned in 1904 with Henry H. Blood taking his place. October 6, 1906 James took second place in a singing competition earning twenty-eight points when he sang "The Mighty Deep." Feb 8, 1907 James participated in a concert in Kaysville meeting house, by the auxiliary organizations of that ward by singing two solos.These are just a few of James’ music related experiences mentioned in newspaper articles.

 Jan 4, 1907 James succeeded H. J. Sheffield, Jr. as justice of the peace[viii].

By 1912 the little adobe meetinghouse became too small so a new meeting house was commissioned to be built across the street. A ground-breaking ceremony was held July 24, 1912, under the direction of Bishop Henry H. Blood. “The Tabernacle combined “modern” and Greek revival styling. A finely constructed building with majestic Doric columns flanking each side of the double front entrance, carved wood window and door casings, hand turned balustrade enclosing the two-level rostrum, beautiful stained glass windows, beautiful wood beams in the elliptically vaulted ceiling of the chapel, quarters oak seating and the fine decorative plaster work was done by  James A. Cottrell. The building was dedicated May 24, 1914”.

Again James’s skill as a plaster was sought after this time at Lagoon, an amusement park in Farmington, Utah and in April 1913 the plastering of the exterior of the bandstand was completed.  “This is said to be the best building of its kind in the west, not excluding any of the fine pleasure resorts in California or on the coast.  It is the most attractive building in the Lagoon grounds.  It will be used for theatrical, concerts, and athletic and other performances”[ix].

In December 1913 James sold the farm and moved[x] and it was at this new home that he spent the rest of his life. James and Edith loved nature so as all of their other homes this one too was surrounded by beautiful lawns and flower gardens. James took great pride in caring for his home and gardens and he loved to show them to his friends.

May 20, 1921 James’s mother Eleanor Whiteman Cottrell died[xi] and was buried in the Kaysville cemetery. James’s father Charles Cottrell died June 29, 1924 after a brief illness; he too was buried in Kaysville next to his wife.

On April 24, 1929, at the age of 71 and after living a very fulfilling and active life, James passed away in Ogden, Utah and was buried on the 28th in Kaysville Cemetery. James spent his life serving others whether it was his family, the church or the community. For nearly 50 years he was connected with choir work. He was a hard working honest man.

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[i] Kaysville, Utah, was first settled in 1847, Hector Haight was sent north to find grazing for the stock. On a beautiful stream in the Kaysville/Farmington area, Haight soon built a log cabin and brought his family to live there. Many more families arrived and by the 1850’s there were over three hundred settlers in this part of the valley… the majority of the people came from England or were of English descent. It was time for the organization of a ward. On January 27, 1851 Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball came for that purpose.  It was not until September of 1852 that the ward formally began to function with William Kay as Bishop, Edward Phillips as first counselor, and John H. Green as second counselor. This little settlement became known as Kay's Ward. "Little" really isn't the word to use because the settlement covered a great deal of territory - from Haight's Creek on the south to the Weber River on the north, and from the mountains on the east to the lake on the west.  There had been trouble with Indians in the south and central section of the territory, so an edict came out from Brigham Young that each town should build a fort for protection. Early in the spring of 1854 Jesse W. Fox, Church Surveyor, came to Kay's Ward for the purpose of laying out the fort, which was later to become the center section of the town, about midway between the two main roads. It encompassed approximately 15 square blocks, between what is now Main Street and 600 West and 200 North and 100 South. The Spanish adobe wall was to be built of clay (dug from the outside forming a ditch) which was shoveled by hand into lumber forms. The plan of the wall was five feet at the base, tapering to three feet at the top, with a height of six feet. Each able-bodied man would be assigned to build a certain section of the wall himself or hire it done. Only part of the project was ever finished and that was on the south and west sides.

There was no trouble with Indians in this vicinity, so a fort was really not needed. They were of the Goshute Tribe, commonly called "diggers" because they depended for their very existence on what they could dig from the ground in the form of roots and bulbs, or reap from the grasses and berry bushes. They were too busy trying to stay alive to make war. Then too, the settlers carried out Brigham Young's policy of "bread instead of bullets." There were times when this was a real trial, for often there was no bread in the humble home to which the Indians came begging, but what little there was, was shared. For a time, this settlement was called "Kay's Fort".

On or around 1870, the fort was torn down. In the City Council minutes it states that on April 4, 1870 the Council passed a Resolution granting the use of lands where the old fort wall stood. The Resolution states, "Be it resolved by the City Council of Kaysville City that any person or persons who have thrown down the old fort wall can occupy the land where the said wall and ditch stood until the City Council shall deem that the public necessity requires them to remove to the line of the lots".

[ii]  Fort Kearny, built in 1848, was the first military post that was built to protect the Oregon Trail emigrants. Many pioneers purchased food at the fort, and nearly everyone took advantage of the fort's reliable mail service. Ft. Kearny was not the walled fortification that many pioneers expected. It was instead a collection of ramshackle buildings, most made of sod. The construction was so crude that snakes often slithered through the walls.

[iii]  Fort Steele, built in 1864, named after Civil War Brevet Major General Frederick Steele, was one of the three great forts established to protect the Union Pacific and its workers from marauding Indians.

[iv] 1880 census has George living in Leamington, Millard, Utah working as a ranch hand.

[v] Salt Lake Tribune 13th of Nov 1885 - Henry Cottrell Thrown From a Wagon and Instantly Killed -  A fatal roadway accident occurred near the Hot Springs yesterday afternoon, shortly after 4 o'clock.  The full details could not be learned, but from the information received it appears that Henry Cottrell, a young man about 18 years of age who resided at Kaysville, was returning home from this city.  The team that he was driving became frightened when near the Hot Springs, and it was supposed that Cottrell lost the lines and got out on the tongue to recover them.  The wagon must have met with some obstruction, for he was thrown violently from the tongue.  His Head struck a telegraph pole and he died instantly.  The body was taken to Kaysville last night and an inquest will probably be held.

[vi] the settlers relaxed from their hard labor by getting together for dancing, hay rides, picnics at Haight’s Grove and later Webster’s Grove where a large pavilion was built in 1893. In the home, furniture was moved out and rugs, if there were any, were rolled back and the fun began. As the space was limited, lots were drawn for turns at dancing the Money Musk, Virginia and Scotch Reels, Polka, the Varsouvienne, or Quadrille to the frolicking tunes of a ‘fiddle” Singing was also much enjoyed by the citizens of Kaysville. A choir was created in 1856, when Joseph Taylor trained 10 or 12 to sing. This group furnished music for all religious meetings and many other gatherings from then on.        Kaysville, Our Town written by (I will get the info)

Kay’s Ward had a Brass Band, too. The Old Kaysville Brass Band was organized in 1864; this band for a number of years had charge of all public celebrations, such as the Fourth of July and July 24^th, or Pioneer Day. James was a member of the band in which he played tuba. A Music Hall was built in 1875 where all talent could be displayed. It was on the corner across from the school and became a favorite spot for many gatherings…grand dress and masquerade balls, dances, dramatic, banquets, band concerts, anniversary parties, and box suppers. The Music Hall was also the home of Kaysville’s Brass Band. Here they came for practice and concerts. The hall was also the storage place for their “Band wagon,” which was really a decorated wagon box, with seats along the sides, which could be placed on running gears to transport the group to and from engagement. The Brass Band, in their wagon, was always a part of every parade and celebration.     Kaysville, Our Town written by(I will get the info)

[vii]   1904, article (James Alfred was choir director of the tabernacle six years).

   Henry H. Blood was put in choir leader last Sunday.  He succeeds James Cottrell who had resigned.

 Salt Lake Herald       6 October 1906

Wins the Herald Prize

Archie S. Brown of Farmington won the Heralds special prize of a year's subscription by a total of twenty-nine points.  His selection being "The Sentinel Asleep."  James A. Cottrell of Kaysville took the second place with twenty-eight points.  He sang "The Mighty Deep." Walter Cottrell san "Asleep in the Deep" and was given twenty-seven points.

Davis Clipper    Feb 8, 1907

Concert in Kaysville

   The following very entertaining program was rendered in Kaysville meeting house, Last Friday night by the auxiliary organizations of that ward.  The versatility of the program was noticeable enough to suit all classes.

   The singing of the Kaysville Gloe Club was compliment to the leader, who ever he is, he has a right to be proud.  A piano duet was given by Misses Ella and Cynthia Blamires.  The Liberty State quartette from Salt Lake City sang their way into the hearts of the audience and they were encored time and time again.  Their baritone singer, Mr. A.E. Brady, gave two solos likewise the tenor who sang, "Silver threads among the Gold", very effective.  Dr. J.J. Grant Jr. recited a very humorous selection about the man who tried to climb the ladder only to be balked by women (just like them).  Mrs. Mamie Thomson sang sweetly, "Where the Morning Glories Twine around the Old Door," and "Cheer up Mary."  The mandolin work of Walter Smith, Mandolinisht, proved that instrument to be capable of unforeseen possibilities.  This was shown, "In Alice where art Thou?" Self accompanied duo style.  Miss hazel Barnes came next.  She sang a selection from "Carmen" in French.  This sweet singer is certainly a wonder.  Her voice being rich and strong.  For encore, she sang, "Dreaming" and the emotions of her own feelings in this song, brought the tears to her eyes.  Mr. Reginald Brain of Salt Lake late from England made a decided "Hit" in his rendition of selections from Mozart and Beethoven on the piano.  His technique was good.  Mr. James Cottrell sang two solos.  By special request the Quartette sang, "The Soldier's Farwell."  Their shading and expression combined with beautiful harmony brought out an encore.

This program was so successful that it will be repeated in the near future.

[vii] Kaysville Kink   Jan 4, 1907

   James A. Cottrell succeeded H. J. Sheffield, Jr. as justice of the peace here on the first of the year and Parley Anderson succeeded Robert Blamires as constable.

[ix] Farmington Fractions    18 April 1913-    This is one of the many articles related to the building of the Lagoon Park.

   E.A. and James Cottrell will complete the plastering of the exterior of the bandstand this week.  This is said to be the best building of its kind in the west, not excluding any of the fine pleasure resorts in California or on the coast.  It is the most attractive building in the Lagoon grounds.  It will be used for theatrical, concerts, and athletic and other performances.

[x] Advertisement   Dec 5 1913

FOR SALE—A dairy farm, about 60 acres, one half pasture, the other half lucern and grain land; large barn, also 5 roomed house, flowing well, also 14 shares primary water, cows to go with the farm.  For more information contact James A. Cottrell, Kaysville ½ mile south of the D & RG Depot.

[xi] Davis County Clipper   20 May 1921

FORMER KAYSVILLE WOMEN DIES IN SALT LAKE CITY.

  Mrs. Eleanor Cottrell, wife of Charles Cottrell, residents of Kaysville for a quarter of a century before moving to Salt Lake city, died in her home, 176 Mead St., of that city, Saturday.

  The family moved to Salt Lake in 1906, and continued to live there up to the time of her death.

  Mrs. Cottrell was born in England and was 65 years old this month.  She came to Utah in 1880, settling in Kaysville, where she lived for twenty-five years.

  She is survived by the following Children:  James A and Walter Cottrell of Kaysville, Ralph, George, Charles Cottrell, Jr., Mrs. Emily Hall and Mrs. Alice Bowers of Salt Lake City, and Mrs. WP Burton of Robin, Idaho.  She also has quite a number of Grandchildren.

  Funeral services were held in the Thirteenth ward in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, afternoon, and brief services for her at the Kaysville cemetery where interment took place.

Information also taken from a personal history written by Nettie Alberta Cottrell Blamires and from a history written by Henry James Cottrell which was presented at James’s 70^th birthday.