GOTTRY, Edward Clinton
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 294-295

Edward Clinton GOTTRY, a popular and successful attorney of Reedsburg [Sauk 
County], WI, was born 29 Jun 1864 at Hamilton, Canada, a son of Anthony S. 
and Elizabeth (KILGOUR) GOTTRY. The father was born in Haganeau, Lorraine, 
then a province of France, but now a part of Germany. His ancestors 
doubtless went there from the south of Scotland during Cromwell's invasion. 
About 1827, when a lad of ten years, Anthony S. GOTTRY came with his parents 
to the U. S. and settled in Utica [Oneida County], NY, where his father 
carried on the trade of a stone mason. After reaching manhood he conducted a 
hotel in Hamilton, Canada, for a time, and about 1854 came to WI, being 
engaged in the same business at Stevens Point [Portage County, WI] for a 
number of years. Subsequently he spent the greater part of two years in 
Canada for his health, and on his return to Stevens Point, in 1866, he 
engaged in merchandising for a time. In 1893 he removed to Pine City [Pine 
County], MN, where he is now living retired, at the age of 72 years. His 
wife was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was eight years old when she came 
with her parents to the new world, locating first in Providence [Providence 
County], RI. Later the family removed to Hamilton, Canada. Her father, 
William KILGOUR, had held a position in the police department at Glasgow. 
His two sons, J. and R. KILGOUR, became manufacturers and importers of pianos 
and musical merchandise at Hamilton, Canada.

Edward Clinton GOTTRY, of this review, was educated in the public schools of 
Stevens Point, WI, and at the age of 16 years began learning the printer's 
trade in the office of the "Stevens Point Journal," of which he later became 
foreman. In 1884 he went to Cloquet [Carlton County], MN, where, as a member 
of the firm of PAGE and GOTTRY, he [p 295] edited and published the "Pine 
Knot," the first issue appearing 12 Jul 1884. The following spring he bought 
and consolidated with it the "Carlton County Press," and in Oct of that year 
started the "Pine County Pioneer," of which he was active manager until the 
spring of 1891. He still owns the paper, but it is now in charge of his 
brother, W. P. GOTTRY.

In Jun 1889 Mr. GOTTRY was appointed register of the U. S. land office at 
Taylor's Falls [Chisago County], MN, by President Harrison, which postion he 
retained until the office was consolidated with the St. Cloud land office in 
Jan 1894. In the meantime he purchased the "Rush City Post," which he edited 
through the campaign of 1890. In the fall of 1887 he bought the *Pine Tree,* 
at Hinckley [Pine County], MN, which he consolidated with the "Pine County 
Pioneer." He entered the law department of Minnesota University in 1892, and 
on completing the course in 1894 was graduated with high honors. On 08 Jun 
1894 he was admitted to the bar and began practice at Taylor's Falls [Chisago 
County], MN. The following fall he was elected county attorney of Chisago 
County and also city attorney. The latter position he held until Nov 1898. 
While county attorney he prosecuted the celebrated "Wyoming murder cases," 
and secured the conviction of George KELLY, who was executed 23 Mar 1897. 
Another important case was the "McMILLEN trial" for an attempted murder of 
his wife. Mr. GOTTRY conducted several cases before the secretary of the 
interior at Washington, D. C., one of which was the "Pat FOX case," involving 
the title to a tract of valuable land on the Mille Lacs Indian reservation, 
and he was successful in securing the title for his client, Mr. FOX. In Dec 
1898 he came to Reedsburg [Sauk County], WI, and has already succeeded in 
building up a good general practice. He is thoroughly versed in the law, is 
a man of deep research and careful investigation and his mind is analytical, 
logicial and inductive.

On 26 May 1891 Mr. GOTTRY married Miss Cosette BARLOW, a native of Barre 
Mills, La Crosse County, WI, and a daughter of Oliver S. and Mary L. BARLOW. 
Her father was a miller and engaged in milling for many years, after which he 
served as county treasurer of La Crosse County. Our subject and wife have 
one child, Amy Cosette, born in 1897.

Mr. GOTTRY is a ready and versatile writer and has contributed some very 
interesting articles to the "Northwest Magazine." While on a trip through 
Idaho a few years since, he spent some time among the Nez Perces Indians and 
gleaned some interesting information concerning the traditions, customs and 
character of that tribe. He was reared in the Methodist church, but his wife 
holds membership in the Baptist church. Socially he is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and 
the Phi Delta Phi, a college fraternity. His political support has always 
been given the men and measures of the Republican party. He has always taken 
an active and prominent part in the campaigns of his party. In 1888, 1892, 
1894, and 1896, during his residence in MN, he stumped the state as a speaker 
for the state central committee for the candidates of his party.
Contributed by Cathy Kubly