Reuben T. Cocklin

COCKLIN

Posted By: David L. Skipton (email)
Date: 2/9/2010 at 14:38:56

Source: Louisa County Historical Society

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, ask William Huffman of Muscatine, his bunk mate. Ask any of the boys who were in company G.