From "Biographical and Protrait Cyclopedia of Fayette County Pennsylvania by Gresham 1889"
Irving H. Cottom, a progressive farmer of Lower Tyrone township, is a son of William and Catherine (Goodge) Cottom, and was born on the farm where in now resides, in Lower Tyrone township, August 12, 1840.
Richard Cottom, grandfather, was a native of England who emigrated to Maryland, and from there to Lower Tyrone township, where he died in 1845. William Cottom(father) was born in Maryland in 1791, and came to the Work farm, in Dunbar township, in 1810. Five years later he moved to the mouth of Jacob's Creek, and in 1822 removed to Lower Tyrone township, where he died October 5, 1875. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a just man, whose life motto was honesty.
His wife was born near the site of the opera house at Uniontown, in 1798, and died April 20, 1884. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Six of their children are living: Samuel, a farmer; William, a wagon-maker; John, a farmer; Wesley; Elizabeth, wife of Josiah Reed, and Irving H.
Irving H. Cottom was raised on a farm and received his education in the common schools; at the close of his school days he engaged in farming at home and in 1861 removed to Westmoreland county, where he remained for four years.
In 1865 he bought his present farm containing 115 acres of fine land situated 2 1/2 miles north of Dawson, on the Connellsville and Perriopolis Road. January 30, 1862 he married Miss Annie S., daughter of Joseph L. Walter, the latter a Westmoreland county farmer. Unto this union have been born eight children; Alva W., a butcher of Vanderbilt, maried Belle B. Hepplewhite, of England; Frank P., a normal student at California, Pa.; Mary L., Lester M, Joseph H, Harry A., Ethel M, and Clyde Cottom.
Irving H. Cottom is a stanch democrat, and has served as superviser of roads and assessor. He is a member and class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church, is a man of decided views upon the leading issues of the day, and is a reliable and prominent citizen of his township.