Francis Ridgley Cotton

Francis Ridgley Cotton (September 19, 1895—September 25, 1960) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Owensboro (1938-1960).

One of three children, Francis Cotton was born in Bardstown, Kentucky to Charles and Mary (née Moore) Cotton. After attending St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, he studied at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. He studied at the Sulpician Seminary at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. from 1919 to 1920. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1920.

Cotton completed his graduate studies at the Pontifical Athenaeum S. Apollinare in Rome. Following his return to Kentucky, he served as a curate at St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, St. Cecilia Church in Louisville, and St. Francis de Sales Church in Paducah (1922-1926). He also served as assistant chancellor (1926-1931) and chancellor (1931-1937) of the diocese.

...
Wikipedia