Soon after his father’s death, our subject went to La Grange, Tenn., where he entered the employ of his uncle, George G. Cossitt, in a general store. His companion on this trip and in this employment was his cousin, Frederick H. Cossitt, afterward founder of Cossitt’s Library at Memphis, Tenn. After giving six and one-half years’ service to his uncle, in the expectation of a partnership in the business, and receiving in the mean time but little more than his board and clothing, they mutually agreed to separate, and he received $600 in cash as remuneration for his services. He purchased a home for his mother at Westfield, Mass., and returning to La Grange, Tenn., engaged in business on his own account, being very successful. With the exception of less than one year, he continued in business until 1863. He also became the owner of three plantations near La Grange, a part of which he still owns, and he held one hundred and sixty slaves at the outbreak of the Civil War, his estates altogether being estimated at that time as worth $1,000,000. At his elegant home in La Grange, he entertained Gen. Grant and wife, the wife of Gov. Louis P. Harvey, of Wisconsin, and the wife of Col. John Mason Loomis, now, and then, of Chicago. Col. Dickey, chief of Gen. Grant’s cavalry staff, made his headquarters for some time at Mr. Cossitt’s home, where he was accompanied by his daughter. Though friendly to the Union cause and its commanders, Mr. Cossitt’s extensive interests and family connections compelled him to maintain a neutral position, and he was often suspected by both sides to the armed controversy. He was arrested six times, and as often acquitted of any treasonable act toward either party.

In 1862, acting on the advice of Gen. Sherman, who was his friend, he invested heavily in cotton, realizing $66,000 from its sale. Through the kindness of Gen. Hurlbut, he was enabled to ship his purchases to the Mississippi River without much difficulty. Again accepting the advice of Gen. Sherman, he removed to Chicago in 1863 and in 1865 engaged in the wholesale grocery business in that city, as a member of the firm of Barrett & Cossitt. This connection continued for about five years, or until the death of Mr. Barrett, when Mr. Cossitt purchased the interest of the heirs, and continued the business under the title of F. D. Cossitt & Co. The great fire of 1871 entirely consumed his store and contents, at the corner of Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue. He rebuilt at No. 145 Michigan Avenue, and did an extensive wholesale business until 1875, when he retired from that line of trade.

Mr. Cossitt also did a large real-estate business, and since selling out the grocery establishment has devoted his entire time to operations along this line. In 1869 he purchased eighty acres of land, and established the town of Montrose, building a number of houses at that place. The following year, he purchased about six hundred acres on which La Grange has been built, and also a third-interest in a tract of one hundred and sixty acres were Western Springs now stands. This is now known as the “Marshall Field Tract.” He established the depot at La Grange, laid out the town, and gave to it the name of his old home in Tennessee, where he so long resided, and where all of his children were born. He here planted trees to the value of $30,000, was one of the prime movers toward securing all the churches of the place, and has made liberal donations toward sustaining all enterprises and interests which he believed would be of benefit to the community.

In 1844, Mr. Cossitt married Miss Martha L. J. Malone, a member of an old Virginia family. By this marriage, there were five children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are, Mary Eliza, wife of D. B. Lyman, of the firm of Lyman & Jackson; Fannie, wife of C. C. Lay; and Margaret B., wife of C. B. Shedd, all of Chicago. The mother of this family died in 1853, and in the following year Mr. Cossitt married Martha L. Moore, who bore him five children, only three of whom are now living. They are: Betty W., who married Herbert S. Mitchell of La Grange; Frank D., whose biography appears on another page; and Mattie, wife of Rev. C. DeWitt, Rector of St. Andrew’s Church, Chicago. In 1863 Mr. Cossitt was again bereaved of his wife, and in 1864 he married Mrs. Addie C. Hunt, nee Hedges.

Mr. Cossitt adheres to the religious faith of the Congregational Church, and sustains the principles of Democracy in political contests. He has served for many years on the Village Board of La Grange, he being its first President. He was nominated by his party as its candidate for State Senator, but was defeated on account of the overwhelming Republican majority of the district.

Of Revolutionary Stock.

Mr. Cossitt was born in Granby, Conn., in 1821. He was descended from revolutionary stock. At the age of 13 he left his native town, and, in company with his cousin, Fred H. Cossitt, who afterwards founded the famous Cossitt Library of Memphis, Tenn., he entered the employ of his uncle, George C. Cossitt, proprietor of a general store in La Grange, Tenn. At 17 he left his uncle’s employment to embark in business for himself.

At the outbreak of the civil war Mr. Cossitt was the holder of property to the value of $1,000,000 and was the owner of sixty-one slaves. He was an ardent advocate of the federal cause. During the war he was six times arrested for treason and as often acquitted.

Friend of Sherman and Grant.

He was a warm friend of General Sherman and General Grant, and during the war entertained at his plantation near La Grange General Sherman and General and Mrs. Grant. The plantation was also the military headquarters of Colonel Dickey, chief of General Grant’s cavalry staff.

In 1863 he removed to this city, and with S. L. Barrett started the wholesale grocery firm of Barrett & Cossitt, which two years later was one of the largest in the West. On Mr. Barrett’s death in 1870 Mr. Cossitt continued the business. The building at the corner of Randolph street and Michigan avenue was destroyed in the fire of 1871, but Mr. Cossitt resumed business in a short time.

Founds Montrose and La Grange.

In 1869 he purchased eighty acres of land far west of the city, and founded the Town of Montrose. Two years later he invested in 600 acres of land around the site of the present village of La Grange. This he made a town site, which he named after his former home in Tennessee, and four years later removed there.

Mr. Cossitt served many terms as President of the Board of Trustees of La Grange. One expenditure of $30,000 for trees for the village streets was a characteristic item of expenses of which Mr. Cossitt was proud.

Married Three Times.

Mr. Cossitt was three times married, the first time to a Virginian, Miss Fanny L. Malone, in La Grange, Tenn. After her death, in 1857, he was married to Miss Martha Moore, in Macon, Tenn., who died in 1863. The last wife of Mr. Cossitt, who was Miss Addie C. Hunt of this city, survives him.

Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed. The interment will be on Wednesday.

Mr. Cossitt was the father of one son, F. D. Cossitt Jr., well known in Democratic politics, and five daughters, all of whom are married. He was the father-in-law of D. B. Lyman, President of the Knickerbocker Ice company; William C. De Witt, rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; H. S. Mitchell of Sweet, Dempster & Co.; and Charles C. Lay of this city.