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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Park L. Cockerill

Park L. Cockerill is a member of the leading real-estate firm of Greene county and his present enviable position in the business world is due to the fact that he has directed his efforts along those lines where discriminating judgment has led the way. In Jefferson, where he makes his home, and in the county where he operates, his name has come to be recognized as a synonym of energy, of industry and keen business sagacity.

A native of Montgomery county, born in 1873, Park L. Cockerill is a son of Henry and Hattie (Houser) Cockerill, the former of English and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent. His brother, Charles G. Cockerill, is mentioned on another page of this work. The parents were poor farming people and no special advantages therefore came to Park L. Cockerill in his boyhood and youth, which were devoted to the work of the farm when he was not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom. He attended the public schools of Montgomery and also the Villisca (Iowa) high school, and eighteen years ago. when about sixteen years of age, he came to Jefferson, where he has since resided. He began life here as a clerk and was not long in demonstrating his business ability. In 1893 he joined his brother, Charles G. Cockerill, and C. II. Warrington in the organization of the real-cstate firm of Cockerill, Warrington & Cockerill, whicn has rapidly forged to the front until today it is recognized as the leading real-estate firm in the county. Their plan for the most part is to buy the land outright, improve it and then sell. Their business has been confined exclusively to Greene county farms, and they have handled much valuable property and negotiated many important realty transactions. Since engaging in this line of business Park L. Cookerill has thoroughly familiarized himself with the propertv interests and land values of the county, and is largely considered authority upon the subject of real estate in this county.

In 1898 occurred the marriage of Park L. Cockerill and Miss Ellen Fitz, of Greene county, a daughter of J. W. Fitz, whose life record is given elsewhere in this volume. Thev are prominent socially and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes. Mr. Cockerill is deeply interested in church work and is also in hearty sympathy with the beneficent spirit which underlies the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies, in which he holds membership. He has taken high rank in Masonry and is connected with the shrine in Des Moines. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and matters of progressive citizenship find in him a co-operant factor. Although he started in business during the hard times of 1893 he has continually progressed, and he and his brothers are all known as successful business men. He has ever shown an aptitude for successful management and his intense and well directed activity have gained him prominence and prosperity, while his business rectitude has won him an honored name.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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