Thomas Lee Cotton (1874-1946)
Thomas Lee Cotton was born in Alabama February 4, 1874 to William G. Cotton and Martha (Mattie) Chambers. He lived in Alabama about 6 years before moving to Georgia. The remainder of his childhood was in Muscogee and Troup Counties in Georgia.
On December 25, 1893 he married Ella (Louella) Gibson in Troup County Georgia. Ella was born May 15, 1873. In the 1900 census Thomas and Ella owned a farm near Thomas's father on West Point Road in Harris County, Georgia. Thomas and Ella had the following children: Will Lee, Thomas P., Mary, Mattie Mae, Clarence, Sam Austin and Messers.
By 1920 Thomas and Ella had moved back to Troup County, Georgia. Thomas was working as a weaver at Dixie Cotton Mill in La Grange. On the WWl Draft Registration of Troup County, Georgia: Thomas Cotton medium height and build with brown eyes and black hair.
Ella died May 5, 1933 and is buried in Shiloh Cemetery, Thomaston, Upson county, Georgia at 59 years old. Thomas Lee died April 2, 1946 and is also buried in Shiloh Cemetery, Thomaston, Upson County, Georgia. Thomas lived to be 72 years old.
Written by Angie Collier August 2003
Sources: Angela Packer, Gravestone at Shiloh Cemetery, Jean Cotton, Marriage record for Thomas Cotton and Ella Gibson, United States Census Records, and WWI Draft Registration.
