Cottle, Thomas Mark (1839-1914)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.H.B.

The Cardiff Second Circuit and the South Wales District has sustained severe loss in the death of Mr. T.M. Cottle on February 14th, 1914, at the age of seventy-four years. He was a loyal and consistent member of our Church for fifty-seven years. He served Mount Tabor Church for thirty-two years and for fifteen years rendered able service as trust secretary. For fifty years he had been closely associated with Sunday-school work, and his wise counsel and holy life have brought untold blessing into the lives of a multitude of young people. He was a local preacher for fifty-five years and wielded a wide and powerful influence, being welcomed heartily in our own pulpits and those of other denominations, A member of the District Committee for many years, he was elected four times to District Synod and three times to Conference.

Though naturally a retiring man, the Connexion found in him a man of sterling character. An illuminated address, placing on record his valuable services, was last year presented to him by Mount Tabor Church. As a loyal Primitive Methodist he sought to keep his family in association with the Church he so warmly loved and devotedly served. It was a great joy to him that his four sons and four daughters were Church members, four of them being in membership at Mount Tabor. Mr. O.A. Cottle, the eldest son, has been school secretary for thirty years and senior circuit steward for seven years.

The funeral took place February 18th, and was attended by a large and influential gathering. Rev. J.H. Bedford officiated, and among the representatives present were Revs. A. Pearson, J. Whittock, W. Scott Bosence, and G. Beard.

Family

Thomas was born in 1839 at Radstock, Somerset, to parents James Cottle, a labourer on the land, and Mary Ann Garrett. he was baptised on 28 July 1839 at Radstock.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Thomas.

1851 scholar
1861 master cordwainer employing 2 men & 1 boy
1871 grocer & draper
1881 grocer
1891 assistant superintendent of assurance agents
1901 superintendent insurance
1911 Prudential Assurance agent

He married Elina (1840-1924) in the summer of 1860 in the Clutton Registration District, Somerset. Census returns identify eight of nine children.

Oliver Alfred (1861-1930) – a grocer’s assistant (1911)
Caroline Jane (1865-1916)
Alice Rosa (1867-1937) – married William Henry Diamond, a ship repairer (1911), in 1889
Edwin West (1869-1931) – chartering clerk for a ship broker (1911)
Herbert Augustus (1872-1954) – a ship owner’s clerk (1911)
Bessie Eleanor (1878-1949) – married Frederick Grizelle, a manager of a music establishment (1911), in 1902
Arthur Bertram (1881-1964) – coal exporter’s cashier (1911)
Gladys Elina Gwendoline (1885-1934) – a grocers clerk & bookkeeper (1911)

Thomas died on 14 February 1914 at Cardiff, Glamorgan.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1914/328(2)

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers