Cochran, William J.

COCHRAN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/28/2021 at 23:41:42

History of Warren County, Iowa; Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns & Etc., by Union Historical Company, 1879, p.627

COCHRAN, WILLIAM J., White Breast Township, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Lacona; he lives no Sec. 15, and owns a farm of 225 acres; he was born August 22, 1829, in Highland county, Ohio; parents moved to Benton county, Indiana, in 1845, and to Iowa November 3, 1855, and settled on the farm where he now lives; he is the Republican candidate for Representative to the Legislature this year, a position he is well qualified to fill; he was married June 7, 1860, to Eliza E., daughter of David Warnock, of Warren county, Iowa; they have nine children: Mary E., Matilda J., John W., David A., Charles S., Samuel C., Thomas H., Aaron L. George E.; Samuel C. and Thomas H., are dead; has been town assessor, clerk and county supervisor.

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.498

WILLIAM J. COCHRAN
In every community there are certain names which are synonymous of the growth, development and improvement of the locality. The name of W. J. Cochran is closely associated with all that has contributed to the wel­fare and development of Warren County, his activity proving an effective element in the material, political, social and moral development of this part of the state. Wherever he was known he was honored and respected, but most of all where he was best known.
W. J. Cochran was born in Highland, Ohio, August 22, 1829, his parents being William and Elizabeth (McConnell) Cochran, who were natives of Ire­land and Ohio respectively. The son spent his boyhood days in the state of his nativity to the age of fourteen years and in 1855 accompanied his parents on their removal to Warren county, Iowa, settling on a farm in White Breast Township. There he assisted in the arduous task of opening up a new farm, became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and eventually he bought the interest of the other heirs in his father's estate. With renewed energy he gave his attention to general farming. The place was partly improved when it came into his possession but he remodeled and added to the dwelling, making it a good home. He also put up substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and as the years went by he transformed his land into richly productive fields, from which he annually gathered good harvests.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Cochran chose Miss Eliza E. Warnock, whom he wedded on the 7th of June, 1860. She was born in Ohio, March 6, 1839, and was a daughter of David and Mary Ann (Chaney) Warnock, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cochran were born nine children: Elizabeth, who is acting as housekeeper for her brother, Dr. A. L. Cochran, of Cumming, Iowa; Matilda Josephine, the wife of J. W. Thorne, of Lacona, Iowa; John Wil­liam, at home; David A., who was a physician of Milo, Iowa, but died in March, 1908; Charles Simeon, a resident farmer of White Breast township; Samuel Clarence and Thomas Harris, both of whom are now deceased; A. L. who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Cumming; and George Earl, who is yet upon the home farm.
As the years passed by W. J. Cochran prospered in his undertakings and his chief delight in his success was that it enabled him to supply his family with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He left a large estate when on the 15th of August, 1901, he was called to his final rest. He not only figured as one of the leading agriculturists of his com­munity but was also a prominent factor in other lines of activity beneficial to the county. He was one of the organizers of the United Presbyterian Church at Lacona in 1865, and on the 25th of November in that year was chosen a ruling elder and the following day was made clerk of the organiza­tion, serving in the latter position for thirty-five years. In the work of the church he was always deeply and helpfully interested and he contributed gen­erously to its support. He was twice elected by the Des Moines Presbytery as a lay delegate to the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church, attending the session at Xenia, Ohio, and the other time at Albany, Oregon
Never neglectful of the duties of citizenship Mr. Cochran labored earnestly to promote public progress and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth, ability and loyalty, called him to serve in various township and county offices. He was county supervisor and was also assessor and township clerk, while in 1879 he was elected to represent his district in the lower house of the general assembly of Iowa. Over the record of his official career there fell no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil and in other relations in life he was actuated by high and manly principles. To his family he was most devoted, to his friends was faithful and throughout the community he was known as a noble citizen and sincere Christian. His memory is yet cherished by all with whom he came in contact and most of all by the members of his own household who knew him as a most loving and indulgent husband and father. Mrs. Cochran has been equally devoted to her family and in return receives the most filial devotion from her children. She yet resides on the old home farm, presiding over the household, and, with the assistance of her son George, manages the property.