Robert Cotrell is accorded the honor of being the third settler within the present limits of Claibourne Township.  He came, perhaps in 1823. A native of Virginia, he emigrated to Ohio and tarried for a space of two or three years on the west bank of the Scioto River, in Delaware County, about two miles up the river from the mouth of Bokes Creek.  He rented property here and farmed industriously, then bought 100 or more acres from Mr. Lee.  He had married. Elizabeth Tyler in Virginia, and had two children when he emigrated to Ohio, and several were born since their arrival in this State.  They were Richard, Samuel, Gabriel, Eliza (Dilsaver), Jane (Lindsley) and Susanna (Kaiser).  Mr. Cotrell was a small, rather slightly built man, but active and fond of fun.  He owned only the few chattels which his neighbors did during the first years of his settlement, but when he was in a jovial mood he took delight in recounting to strangers the large amount of stock and other property he claimed to possess.  The County Assessor visited him one year, and Mr: Cotrell was not aware of his official position.  To the inquiries as to the extent of his personal wealth, he answered so much in accordance with the view of humor which then 'possessed him that his taxes were much greater than those of his neighbors.  After some opposition, he paid the amount, but the experience made him more wary with strangers thereafter.  All in all he was an industrious and upright man.  He died on the place he first settled in Claibourne Township.