COCHRAN, John G. - 1912 Bio (1845-1912)

COCHRAN, GREGG, BUTLER, SMITH, MURRAY

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 11/21/2002 at 21:48:46

From the HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY - 1912, Volume II
Pages 152-153.

JOHN G. COCHRAN

A resident of Jefferson county all his life, John G. COCHRAN has been associated with agricultural interests in this locality since he was old enough to follow a calling. He was born in Round Prairie township, Jefferson county, in April 1845. His father, John COCHRAN, was a native of Ireland and came to this country in his youth, settling in Ohio where he operated a farm for a number of years. He was married to Mary GREGG, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1840, at the age of thirty-seven years, he came to Jefferson county, Iowa, and bought land from the government in Round Prairie township. This he cleared and improved, continuing his work in the fields until death claimed him, in 1876. His wife survived him eleven years, dying in 1887.
Brought up amid the familiar scenes which he has known all his life, John G. COCHRAN was educated in the district schools of his native locality. He remained with his parents until their death, when he came into possession of the home place of two hundred and five acres. This he improved and operated with success until 1891, when he sold one hundred and sixty-five acres of this tract, keeping about forty acres adjoining the town of Glasgow. Engaged in the operation of this moderate sized farm, he is sufficiently occupied to fill his days with profitable labor and has accumulated a competence which enables him to live in bountiful comfort.

In December 1880, Mr. COCHRAN was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie BUTLER, a daughter of Stephen and Elsie (SMITH) BUTLER, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. Mr. BUTLER came to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1852 and he bought a tract of land comprising eighty acres which he operated for a time, subsequently trading farms with a friend. He then sold out his holdings and removed to Harrison county, Iowa, where he resided until his death, November 16, 1881. His wife passed away three years later. Mr. and Mrs. COCHRAN are the parents of two children: Harry S., aged thirty years, who resides at home; and Elsie B., aged twenty-seven years, the wife of Arnold V. MURRAY, who is connected with a wholesale drug concern and resides in Ottumwa, Iowa. They have two children: Arnold V., Jr., aged six years and Mildred E., aged five. Mr. COCHRAN is affiliated with the republican party and has always given his loyal support to the men and measures that serve the best interests of his community and was called upon to fill the office of trustee of this township. He and his wife subscribe to the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they are attendants. He is well known throughout the county in which his long record of industry and thrift has won him the respect of all who know him.

I am copying this information for the benefit of genealogical research and am not related to said individuals.