A TRIBUTE: REUBEN T. COCKLIN

COCKLIN, BECK

Posted By: Judy Kelley (volunteer) (email)
Date: 3/10/2012 at 15:40:12

The passing away of Reuben T. Cocklin, who died at his home at Grandview February 26th, deserves more than a mere mention.

When in 1862, the call for "six hundred thousand more" was made, Iowa responded with eighteen regiments. The Nineteenth Infantry was the first in order, in response to that call. Company F and Company G of that regiment were enrolled in Louisa county. Reuben Cocklin, then in the prince of manhood, was one of the first to enroll in company G.

Company G was largely made up of Grandview boys and most of them were very young. Mr. Cocklin, who had already been, for years, lovingly called by the boys "Uncle Rube," by common consent, became known as the "father of the boys."

At Port Louisa, where the two companies took boat for Keokuk, mother after mother, when bidding good-bye to Mr. Cocklin, would say, "I am so glad you are going with the boys for I know you will be like a father to my son." To all of these Mr. Cocklin would answer, "Yes, I will be a father to your boy." How well he kept that promise, ask his captain, C.W. Huff, of Massena, Iowa, aske William Hoffman of Muscatine, his bunk mate. Ask any of the boys, who were in Company G.

Strong in body and kind of heart, he rearely thought of himself during those long and tiresome marches. At Tyler, Texas, where many of Company G were in prison during the winter of eighteen sixty-three and four, the father never forgot his childre, and would get up in the night, every night, and go around and see that each one of his boys was covered.

Reuben Cocklin was a great man. He never held office. He never aspired to fame. His ambition was of a higher and holier sort. His ambition was to be a true father to his family. To have a happy home. How well he succeeded let his history attest. He left three sons, stalwarts, like himself. He left two daughters. All have families. All live within a radius of two miles of their mother, except one who lives in Muscatine. He had thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. His was a remarkable life. He was eighty-eight years old. He was married sixty-three years ago to Margaret Beck, daughter of Henry Beck, one of the early settlers of Grandview. During their long married life the "Grim" reaper never knocked at their door. Some people seem to be spared lone in life as examples of how to grow old gracefully. If this be true, Reuben Cocklin had done well his work. No one could enter his home without being made better by having done so. No one ever went hungry from his door. Measured by the standard, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of these,: his measure was complete.

"Uncle Rube" will be much missed at Grandview where he lived his long life and was a part of its history. He will be missed by "Dodder Post," which he helped to organize. He will be lamented by all his friends and comrades who knew his worth. He will be long lamented by his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. But more than all will he be missed and lamented by her who walked close to his side all these years and who did so much to make it possible for him to lead such a noble and useful life.

Source: undated and unknown newspaper clipping