Obituary

  John Francis, fourth son of G. W. and Mary Cotter, was born in Corning, Iowa, February 24, 1891 and died at his home in Tabor Friday morning July 16. Although Dr. Cotter had been in poor health for the past two years, his death came as a surprise and shock to the community as he had been about his practice on Thursday but in the evening a serious attack of heart trouble resulted in his death. Francis attended the Corning schools and later the Kansas City Veterinary College, graduating in 1915. On November 13, 1912, Miss Linda Redfern and Francis Cotter were married at Kansas City.
  In 1914 Dr. and Mrs. Cotter came to Tabor for the summer months, returning to school in the fall and finishing his veterinary course in 1915 when they returned to Tabor to make their home.
Interested in his profession, ambitious to make a success in life, Dr. Cotter worked unceasingly. His ready Irish wit and congenial ways, soon established him in this community, where he took an active part in the civic and social affairs. For 12 years he was a member of the town council and for a time was a director in the First State Bank of Tabor.
  For a number of years, Dr. Cotter was a member of the executive board of the Iowa Veterinary's Medical Assn. and at the time of his death was a member of the Iowa Committee of the American Veterinary's Association which is soon to meet in Omaha.
  In 1934, he received a Federal appointment to test cattle in the western part of Colorado. In 1935 a serious attack of flu left his heart in a weakened condition from which he never recovered and this finally claimed his life. He is survived by his wife, Lina, and two children, Darrell and Helen, both at home. One daughter, Dorothy, died in 1920 at the age of 5. Dr. Cotter is also survived by four brothers, Fred of Omaha; Edward of Corning; William of Colorado and Albert of California, the latter being unable to attend the funeral.
  Intermediate relatives present for the funeral on Monday at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick's church at Imogene where he faithfully attended, included: Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Cotter of Corning; W. H. Cotter of Longmont, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. J. Fred Cotter of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Cotter, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cotter, Miss Margaret Cotter, Mrs. and Mrs. Dennis Ryan of Corning; Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Redfern and daughters, Arlene, Maxine and Sharon of Big Springs, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Redfern of Des Moines; Mrs. Florence Carmichael, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Carmichael, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Carmichael of Villisca; Mr. and Mrs. Clark Carmichael of Corning; Dr. and Mrs. M. B. Cogswell of Waverly, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Hooker of Carson; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Williams of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Schaeffer of Prescott; Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Droen of Omaha; Mrs. Nell Sullivan of Corning; Miss Miriam Baker of Iowa City.
  Pall bearers were V. H. Patrick, C. O. Laird, Brice Dalton, Carl Redenbaugh, Al Maher and Bennie Laughlin. Veterinarians of his acquaintance acted as honorary fall bearers, Drs. Leder, Gidley, I…, Brooks, Baer, Smith, Laeth, Haxby and Drach. Flowers were cared for by Mrs. C. O. Laird, Alice Omer, Mrs. Bill McCoch and Mrs. V. H. Patrick.
(Adams County Free Press, Thursday, July 22, 1937)