Long associated with his father and brothers in the manufacture of printing presses at Westerly, Calvert Byron Cottrell, Jr., became secretary of the Cottrell Company and retained that office until his death. The enterprise has long been one of the leading industries of Rhode Island and is one of the most important of its character in the United States. The growth of the business continued after the death of the founder, Calvert Byron Cottrell the elder, and was incorporated in 1892 with a capitalization of $800,000. Offices are maintained in New York City and Chicago, Illinois, with the plant at Westerly. Cottrell presses, containing many important patented features, have been the means of great progress in cylinder press work and are widely and favorably known throughout the United States and in foreign countries.
Representing the eighth generation of his family in America, Calvert Byron Cottrell, Jr., was born at Westerly, Rhode Island, August 12, i860, the third child of Calvert Byron and Lydia W. (Perkins) Cottrell. He was graduated from the Westerly High School in 1878 and at once entered into business association with his father and brothers, attaining the secretaryship of the company upon its incorporation in 1892. He contributed much to the success of the enterprise and in addition to his activities therein as secretary was manager of its administrative department in Westerly. His death occurred in Westerly, Rhode Island, April 8, 1901.
Calvert Byron Cottrell, Jr., married, November 24, 1891, Agnes Clark, daughter of the late William Clark, of Newark, New Jersey. Their children are: 1. Donald Clark, who married Lois Page, of Summit, New Jersey, and they are the parents of three children: Donald Clark, Jr., Janet Page, and Mary Lee Cottrell. 2. Kathryn, who married Randolph Chandler, of New York City. 3. Mary Stuart, who married Ridley Watts, Jr., of New York City, and they are the parents of one son, Ridley Watts, 3d.
Mr. Cottrell was a worthy representative of a family that for generations has been one of the great industrial forces of New England. His mind was keen, his executive ability high and his character and personality assets that made him a host of loyal friends. He was popular with his business associates and admired by the army of workers in the great plant where he exercised a forceful and successful influence. He was an able and valuable citizen of Rhode Island and added much to the commercial progress of the State, leaving a name that will ever be a proud heritage of his descendants.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.