Alonzo A. Cotton, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1378-1379 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	ALONZO A. COTTON, M. D., who is successfully engaged in the 
practice of medicine and surgery at Vermillion, Clay county, is a native 
of the state of Iowa, having been born in Cedar county, on the 28th of 
October, 1861, and being a son of Luzerne and Mary A. (Dwigans) Cotton, 
the former of whom is now engaged in the real-estate business at 
Jennings, Louisiana, while the latter died at Jennings in 1889. The 
Doctor received his early educational training in the public schools of 
Iowa City, and then entered the state university, in the same city, 
where he completed the scientific course and was graduated as a member 
of the class of 1884, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science. He 
was then matriculated in the homeopathic medical department of the same 
great institution, where he completed the prescribed technical course 
and was graduated in 1886, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 
January of the following year he engaged in the active practice of his 
profession in Sioux City, Iowa, where he remained for the ensuing five 
years, after which he was in practice at Dixon, Nebraska, for one year, 
removing thence to Vermillion, South Dakota, in 1893, and having here 
been specially successful in the upbuilding of a large and 
representative practice. In politics the Doctor is a staunch Republican, 
but so exigent are the demands placed upon his time and attention by his 
professional duties that he has not found it expedient to take an active 
part in political affairs, though he is essentially loyal and public-
spirited in his attitude. He is a member of the lodge and chapter of the 
Masonic fraternity in his home city of Vermillion, and both he and his 
wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

	At Newton, Iowa, on the 17th of September, 1886, Dr. Cotton was 
united in marriage to Miss May E. Lyon, who was born and reared in that 
state, and they are the parents of six children, namely: Earl L., Carl, 
Schuyler, Daniel L., Alonzo and Cornelia M. Mrs. Cotton is a graduate of 
the class of April, 1886, of Drake University (medical department), Des 
Moines, Iowa, and she and Mr. Cotton combine the practice of medicine. 
Dr. Cotton is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of South 
Dakota, and the Quadri-state Homeopathic Society, the headquarters being 
at Sioux City; also the American Institute of Homeopathy, it being the 
national society. Mrs. Cotton is a member of the Order of the Eastern 
Star, Ladies of the Maccabees and the Degree of Honor. Mr. Cotton is 
also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the 
World, Modern Brotherhood of America, Yeomen and other kindred 
societies.