James La Fayette COTTRELL, Congress, AL (1808-1885)

COTTRELL, James La Fayette, a Representative from Alabama; born near King William, King William County, Va., August 25, 1808; completed preparatory studies; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1830 and commenced practice in Hayneville, Ala.; member of the Alabama house of representatives in 1834, 1836, and 1837; served in the State senate 1838-1841, and was president of that body in 1840; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-ninth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William L. Yancey and served from December 7, 1846, to March 3, 1847; moved to Florida in 1854; served in the Florida senate 1865-1885; appointed collector of customs at Cedar Keys, Levy County, Fla., and served until his death in that city September 7, 1885; interment in Old Town Cemetery, Old Town, Dixie County, Fla.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present