MARK L. COTTINGHAM
Mark L. Cottingham, editor and proprietor of the “Tremont News,” Tremont, Illinois, was born in Tremont Township, Tazewell County, Ill., July 11, 1861, the son of James and Minerva (Trout) Cottingham, both natives of that county. The grandfather on the paternal side came to Illinois in 1830 from Tennessee and located in Tazewell County in 1834. The grandfather on the maternal side, Michael Trout, came to Tremont Township from Tennessee in 1830, and died in 1844. His wife was Nancy Ann Lackland, a native of Tennessee. James, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Tremont Township, July 10, 1836, and the mother, in the same township. November 9, 1842. Both are still living in Tremont.
Mark L. Cottingham, subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of his native township, and at the age of eighteen went to work on his father’s farm, where he remained for one year. He then secured employment on the railroad, but two years later returned to his father’s farm, following the occupation of a farmer for about three years. In 1886 he engaged in importing draft horses from Europe, making two trips to France for this purpose. On May 12, 1893, he started the “Tremont News” in connection with a job-printing plant, and has continued as editor and proprietor ever since. “The News” is the only paper in Tremont, is Democratic in politics, and has a guaranteed circulation of 750. The concern has an extensive line of job-printing and turns out some of the best work in the county.
On November 16, 1880, Mr. Cottingham was married to Kittie Pearl Lance, daughter of Conrad and Eleanor (Adams) Lance, of Mackinaw, Ill. Mrs. Lance died April 10. 1861. and Mr. Lance in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Cottingham are the parents of eight children: Ethel I.: Grace M., wife of Roy Pepper of Mackinaw,
Ill.: Leslie, Edith, Ralph, Ray, Hazel and Donald
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 990