Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers

Sketches Of

Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers

W. L. COTTRELL

(pages 132-133)

William Lindsay Cottrell was born in Knox County, Tenn., July 8, 1833. He was a son of Samuel Cottrell. His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Louise Summers. Young Cottrell enjoyed the benefits of the public schools of his county from his youth and when grown entered the East Tennessee University (now the U. T.), graduating from that institution in 1853. He was converted in 1854 and joined the Mt. Olive Church, under the pastoral care of J. S. Stansberry, and was baptized by Isaac Hines. December 22, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary E. Currier. To this union were born seven children, two sons and five daughters. Six of the family the father saw grow up and become members of Baptist churches. This same year (1857) he was ordained to the ministry at Mt. Olive Church, Knox County, Elders Hines and Stansberry acting as the advisory and ordaining council. During his ministry he served as pastor the following churches: Mt. Olive, Cedar Ridge (now Island Home), Pleasant Ridge, Valley Grove, Hickory Creek, Loudon, Clear Springs, Sinking Creek and Laurel Bank. He was the principal founder (1892) of Rocky Hill Church, and was its pastor for a number of years. He also helped to organize the Baptist church at Loudon. Moving to Knoxville, he became assistant pastor of the Centennial (now the Deaderick Avenue) Church, under the pastoral oversight of J. H. Snow. In his earlier life and ministry Brother Cottrell taught school a good deal, and at one time had as a distinguished pupil, Pleasant B. McCarroll, who afterwards became a great power for good in Knox and Blount counties.

Losing his first wife, Brother Cottrell was married a second time, to Mrs. Addie Winkle, of Knoxville. He died March 29, 1908, at the home of his son, Henry Cottrell. At the time of his decease he was a useful and honored member of Grove City Church in Knoxville. He was buried at Rocky Hill Church (near Lions View), beside his first wife. His funeral discourse was preached by Pastor F. E. White, who paid a beautiful and touching tribute to the life, labors and ministerial character of the deceased. Brother Cottrell witnessed many conversions during his ministry, and baptized more than 500 converts. Brother Cottrell was a strong man in the ministry. He was greatly loved and greatly missed.

Burnett, J .J. Sketches of Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers. Nashville, Tenn.: Press of Marshall & Bruce Company, 1919.

URL: http://www.knoxcotn.org/tnbaptists/index.html

[ Return to Index ]