Homer Wallace COCHRAN

COCHRAN, MCELROY, WOOD

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/20/2008 at 09:21:28

The Mount Ayr Record-News, 1927

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP FARMER ENDS LIFE

Despondency Over Financial Reverses Thought to be the Cause.
No Inquest Held.

Homer Wallace COCHRAN, 34 years of age, ended his life by hanging himself in the barn at his home in Lincoln township, four miles north and one-half mile east of Clearfield, early Tuesday morning. The county coroner, Dr. Samuel BAILEY, Sheriff R. R. STEPHENS and Deputy Sheriff Victor SKINNER were called to the home and the investigation revealed the fact that Mr. COCHRAN had arisen about the usual hour; had gone to the barn to do the chores; that he did not return in time for breakfast and that Mrs. COCHRAN, after calling him, went to the barn and found the lifeless body. As it was a plain case of suicide no inquest was held.

Mr. COCHRAN was well known and highly respected in the community where he had lived for many years and no cause is known for the rash act except that he had recently met with financial reverses, having made an assignment of his 160-acre farm the day before and rented the farm. He is survived by his wife and one child. He was a world war veteran, having served in the same company with Sheriff STEPHENS and Deputy Sheriff SKINNER.

NOTE: Homer Wallace COCHRAN was born in Iowa, November, 1893, the son of Alonza W. COCHRAN (1856-1942) and Cora E. (McELROY) COCHRAN (1860-1919), the brother of Minnie Alice (COCHRAN) WOOD, William J. COCHRAN, Earl A. COCHRAN, and Bertha E. COCHRAN. Homer married Ann (?) and they were the parents of one daughter, Helen C., born circa 1917. Homer Wallace COCHRAN died on December 13, 1927 and was interred at Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Homer's parents Alonza and Cora were also interred at Clearfield Cemetery.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008