Background
Cotton, Francis Ridgely was born on September 19, 1895 in Bardstown, Kentucky, United States. Son of Charles Robertson and Mary Collins (Moore) Cotton.
Cotton, Francis Ridgely was born on September 19, 1895 in Bardstown, Kentucky, United States. Son of Charles Robertson and Mary Collins (Moore) Cotton.
After attending Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, he studied at Saint Mary"s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. He studied at the Sulpician Seminary at the Catholic University of America in Washington, District of Columbia
He was the first Bishop of Owensboro (1938-1960). From 1919 to 1920. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1920. Cotton completed his graduate studies at the Pontifical Athenaeum South. Apollinare in Rome.
Following his return to Kentucky, he served as a curate at Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, Saint Cecilia Church in Louisville, and Saint Francis de Sales Church in Paducah (1922-1926).
He also served as assistant chancellor (1926-1931) and chancellor (1931-1937) of the diocese. On December 16, 1937, Cotton was appointed the first Bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Owensboro by Pope Pius XI. He received his episcopal consecration on February 24, 1938 from Archbishop John A. Floersh, with Bishops Theodore H. Reverman and Moses East. Kiley serving as co-consecrators.
He remained as bishop until his death at age 65.