IAGenWeb Project - Clayton co.


A. M. Cortis
Monona Twp.

A. M. Cortis, merchant, Monona, Iowa, was born in Windham County, Conn., on the 29th day of December, 1818, and was a son of Zachri and Prudence (May) Cortis, of English descent, and on his mother's side a descendant of Old Ethan Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Cortis were the parents of eight children, three living-- Saphrona, wife of J. Allen, of Dudley, Mass.; A. M., and D. A., of Willimantic, Conn. Mr. Cortis was a man who took a great interest in the welfare of the people where he lived, and was respected by all who knew him. The subject of this memoir was reared on his father's farm and received his schooling in his native State. When fifteen years old he was apprenticed to the boot and shoe trade, and when twenty-two went to Manchester, Conn., where he embarked in the business on his own responsibility, and was afterward engaged in business on his own responsibility, and was afterward engaged in Enfield, in the same business. From there he returned to Windham County, where, in 1845, he married Jane Martin, who died in 1849. He was employed as agent by a book house and was sent into Maryland, and was afterward employed as clerk in a boot and shoe store in Baltimore, where he remained one year. He then returned to Windham County, and in the spring of 1853 came to Clayton County, Iowa, where he has resided since. In 1854 he married Ann Smith, who was born in 1831. By this union there were five children, three living-- Jane, now wife of Oscar Walker; Julia, wife of T.H. Howard, and Addie M. After coming to Clayton County Mr. Cortis engaged in farming but meeting with an accident which unfitted him for farm life, he sold out and has been engaged in the mercantile business most of the time since. He was an old-line Whig, and cast his first vote for Wm. H. Harrison, and since the organization of the Republican party has affiliated with it. He has held several local offices of trust in the gift of the people.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1038-1039
transcribed by Sally Scarff and Marlene Chaney

 

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