The paper was owned by four generations of the Cousley family.<ref name="CSM">https://www.csmonitor.com/1981/0625/062563.html</ref> The Cousley family owned a controlling interest from 1895 until 1985.<ref>Jill Moon, ''The Telegraph'' (Alton), "Alton community leader Mary Lou Cousley, 76, dies unexpectedly, leaves legacy of love," February 28, 2017.</ref> This newspaper helped make Alton a thriving town in the first half of the 20th century, prior to a declining population in the late 1900s. | The paper was owned by four generations of the Cousley family.<ref name="CSM">https://www.csmonitor.com/1981/0625/062563.html</ref> The Cousley family owned a controlling interest from 1895 until 1985.<ref>Jill Moon, ''The Telegraph'' (Alton), "Alton community leader Mary Lou Cousley, 76, dies unexpectedly, leaves legacy of love," February 28, 2017.</ref> This newspaper helped make Alton a thriving town in the first half of the 20th century, prior to a declining population in the late 1900s. |