CL Cotton Perfume & Extract Company

CL Cotton Perfume & Extract Company, a corporation, Earlville, N. Y.

The C. L. Cotton Perfume and Extract Company was founded by Cyrus L. Cotton, a former druggist of Hamilton, NY, in 1878. In that year he began the manufacture of flavoring extracts and later added perfumes to his output.


American Soap Journal and Manufacturing Chemist, 1892:

"The CL Cotton Perfume and Extract Company of Earlville NY has been incorporated for the purpose of manufacturing perfumes, extracts, etc. The capital stock is $50,000 consisting of 500 shares of $100 each. The directors of the company are Cyrus L Cotton, Herbert C Allen, Fred E Williams, Fred C DeVallant and Henry G Greene."

The company began in Cotton's Victorian Gothic residence at 25 North Main, Earlville, NY, later moved to the brick laboratory he constructed at 25 East Main Street (now the Cornell University Regional Mastisis Laboratory).

Paint, Oil and Drug Review, Volume 25, 1898:

"The CL Cotton Perfume and Extract Company Earlville, NY held its annual meeting on the 3d inst. The following directors were elected: CL Cotton, FE Williams, FC DeVallant, HC Allen, HG Greene. At a meeting of the directors, CL Cotton was elected president and manager, FE Williams secretary and treasurer, and HG Greene vice president .The company reports that 1897 has been good year in the perfume and extract trade especially last half of it and prospects for 1898 are decidedly better than they were a year ago."

CL Cotton was also a past member of the Flavoring Extract Manufacturers Association.

The Rome Daily Sentinel, 1905:

"Death of C. L. Cotton of Earlvllle. Cyrus L. Cotton, one of the foremost citizens of Earlville, whose death occurred Tuesday from Bright's Disease, was 65 years of age and had been a resident of Earlville for more than 40 years. Mr. Cotton went to Earlville when he was about 20 years of age, and engaged in the drug business. After disposing of his drug store he traveled for an Albany drug house, and while engaged in that capacity he conceived the Idea of starting an extract , business of his own, the large plant in Earlville is a monument to his business ability. Twelve years ago a stock company was formed to take over the private business- of Mr. Cotton, and the C.L. Cotton Perfume and Extract Company resulted, of which Mr. Cotton was president and principal stockholder. He was one of the most enterprising and loyal of citizens, and was president of the village for several years besides holding the office of post master under several administrations."

The fragrances of CL Cotton:

• 1903 Bavarian Bouquet 
• 1903 Cotton's Cream of Petroleum 
• 1903 Cotton's Medicated Talcum and Face Powder 
• 1903 Cotton's Perfumed Petroleum 
• 1903 Cotton's Rose Balm 
• 1903 Cotton's Violet Talcum Powder 
• 1903 Crown Prince Violet 
• 1903 Le Trefle 
• 1903 Puritan 
• 1903 Santinol 
• 1903 Special Bavarian Bouquet 
• 1903 Special Crown Prince Violet 
• 1903 Special Pensee 
• 1903 Special Syringa 
• 1908 - De Vallant's Queen Jess