Profile Text
official U.S. Senate photo of Tom Cotton c. 2015
Birth Name: Thomas Bryant Cotton
Place of Birth: Dardanelle, Arkansas, U.S.
Date of Birth: May 13, 1977
Ethnicity: English, some Scottish, distant German
Tom Cotton is an American politician, attorney, and military officer. A Republican, he has served as a U.S. Senator from Arkansas, since January 3, 2015. He previously served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas, from January 3, 2013 to January 3, 2015. He is 6′5″.
Tom is the son of Avis, a school teacher and principal, and Thomas Leonard Cotton, who worked for the Arkansas Department of Health. Tom is married to attorney Anna Peckham, with whom he has two children.
Tom’s paternal grandfather is Thomas James Cotton, Jr. (the son of Thomas James Cotton and Myrtle Frances Love). Tom’s grandfather Thomas Cotton was born in Arkansas. Tom’s great-grandfather Thomas was the son of Leonard Ryan Cotton and Sarah Jane Hurt. Myrtle was the daughter of David Crockett Love and Anna Elizabeth Keeton.
Tom’s paternal grandmother is Selma Lorraine Cowger (the daughter of Charles Henry Cowger and Cora Nevada Smith). Selma was born in Arkansas. Charles was the son of Jacob Henry Cowger and Elizabeth M. Holland. Cora was the daughter of Elisha/Elijah Green Smith and Martha J.
Tom’s maternal grandfather is Posie Herbert Bryant (the son of Samuel Homer Bryant and Sarah Ellen Farrow). Posie was born in Arkansas. Samuel was the son of Thomas J. Bryant and Mary Jane Walpole. Sarah was the daughter of Posie Farrow and Susie/Susan Ann Meredith.
Tom’s maternal grandmother is Tressie Faye Hoggard (the daughter of James Daniel “Dan” Hogard and Hixie Carruth Germany). Tressie was born in Arkansas. James was the son of James Caruthers Hoggard and Martha Elizabeth Reed. Hixie was the daughter of James/John Madison Alexander Germany and Sarah Elizabeth “Sallie” Hamilton.
Tom is a second cousin, three times removed, of politician John Nance Garner , who was Vice President of the United States, from March 4, 1933 to January 20, 1941. Tom’s maternal great-great-great-great-grandparents, Charles Harrison Walpole and Frances Parker Clements, were also Vice President Garner’s paternal great-grandparents.
Sources: Genealogy of Tom Cotton – http://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Tom Cotton (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.genealogy.com
Tom’s maternal grandmother, Tressie Faye Hoggard, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org