COCHRAN, John Hornby 1887 – 1951

COCHRAN, GABBERT

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 2/28/2011 at 16:11:16

“The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger”
Friday, May 18, 1951
Front Page, Column 1

John COCHRAN, 63, Dies Suddenly
SLUMPS OVER AT WHEEL OF MOVING AUTO

John H. COCHRAN, assistant postmaster here since 1926 and an employee at the Fairfield post office for nearly a half century, died suddenly this morning while at the wheel of his car.

Witnesses said he slumped over in the front seat while driving south on B street at the Washington street intersection. The car swerved to the right, hit a parked car, then jumped the curb and rammed into the side of the house at 106 East Washington.

An ambulance was called and COCHRAN was rushed to the Jefferson county hospital. He was dead on arrival.

Police said the accident took place about 9:00 a.m. They said Forest Douthit, owner of the parked car involved in the mishap, heard the crash and looked out the window.

He said COCHRAN was slumped over in the front seat as his car cut across the yard and hit the side of the house owned by Mrs. William Holcomb. The right front wheel dropped down in a coal chute just as the car hit the structure.

The right front fender and headlight of the COCHRAN car was damaged and the trunk lid, rear bumper and tall light on the Douthit car were damaged.

Chief of Police John Clarridge said it is obvious that COCHRAN suffered the heart attack before the accident, and that his death was due to natural causes rather than from accident injuries. Therefore the death will not be charged against the city as a traffic fatality, he said.

COCHRAN has piled up an enviable record during his almost half century of duty at the Fairfield post office. He was the oldest employee in the office from point of service, and had served as assistant post master since January 1, 1926.

Known throughout postal circles in Iowa and the midwest, he watched a large number of changes and improvements made in the postal service since he began his work as a sub-clerk and carrier 44 years ago.

He watch postal rates and classifications change materially, the inauguration of parcel post, consolidation of rural routes for economy reasons. COCHRAN witnessed the beginning of the use of automobiles in the mail service, and watched the birth of air mail as well as many other services and changes.

The long-time postal official began his duties at the local office in 1906 as a substitute rural carrier. A year later, in 1907, he was made substitute city carrier and served in that capacity as well as sub-clerk and special delivery carrier until May 20, 1912, when he was appointed a regular carrier.

He was transferred to a clerk position on May 1, 1919 under the late J. Wilbur Dole who was postmaster at the time. In 1924 he was promoted to the money order department at the death of the late Dean Taylor who was postmaster at the time. COCHRAN had held that position since that time, for a period of 22 years.

COCHRAN held several state offices in organizations for postal officials and for a time was State Insurance Secretary of the National Association of Postal Supervisors.

John Hornby COCHRAN, 63, was born September 20, 1887, at Glasgow, Iowa.

He moved to Fairfield when quite young and had made his home in this community since. The family home is at 207 East Adams street.

He was united in marriage at New London to Hazel GABBERT who survives. He is a member of the Methodist church.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Richard, Newton, Iowa; and Robert, Lincoln, Nebraska. He is also survived by a brother, George S. COCHRAN, Salinas, California.

The body is at the Monger funeral home where last rites are pending.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Saturday, May 19, 1951
Page 8, Column 6

COCHRAN SERVICES MONDAY AT 2 P. M.

Funeral services for John H. COCHRAN, veteran Fairfield postal employee, will be held Monday at 2 p. m. in the Methodist church. Dr. L. L. Weis will conduct the rites and burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

COCHRAN died suddenly yesterday morning when he suffered a heart atack at the wheel of his car. A lifelong resident of Jefferson county, COCHRAN spent nearly 50 years in the postal service. He began work at the Fairfield post office in 1906 and served as assistant postmaster from 1926 until his death.

The body will be taken from the Monger Funeral home to the church at 1 p. m. Monday.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 4th.070. Wife Hazel died in 1986 and is buried beside him.