The Cottle Family Collection consists of correspondence, writings, printed materials, photographs, legal and financial documents, and postal memorabilia (stamps and cancelled envelopes). The majority of correspondence tells news of family and friends. Financial documents include a detailed account of John Loving's outfit for his trip to California in 1853, and tuition receipts for Zora Cottle's children's schools.

The Cottles were Oakdale, Stanislaus County (Calif.) ranchers from the early 1850s. Zora Cottle (1837-1894) settled with his wife, Catherine, and nephew, Francis Marion Cottle (d. 1916) on the Stanislaus River. They purchased an interest in a ferry and ran large herds of cattle. Francis Marion Cottle married Harriet L. Kennedy (1869), purchased his own land and raised fruit. A son, Francis Marion Cottle Jr. (d. 1971) served in World War I. He was employed by the Westend Chemical Company when the family ranch was lost during the Great Depression (1934).

Collection is open for research.