John Hay and John Nicolay, both from Pittsfield became personal secretaries to Lincoln when he became President of the United States. Many Civil War era homes still exist in Pike County. In fact, there are more houses and sites associated with Lincoln in Pittsfield, Illinois than in any other place in the country.
Cottonee does not need to reach any particular level to evolve. You can use a Sun Stone on it and it will evolve into Whimsicott! Happy playing :)
I don't know why it's a big deal to people if he evolves his Pokemon or not. IT's not like it's his choice. The Anime consistently shows it's hte Pokemon's desire to that makes them evolve or prevents it. Ash's Bulbasaur legitimately started evolving and he stopped himself because he did not want to evolve. Same with Pikachu. The show's shown that anywhere the Pokemon touches a stone will make it evolve. Pikachu has hit a Thunder Stone before with his tail and did not evolve.