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MOSES H. COCHRAN, druggist and express agent, of Morning Sun, Iowa, was born in Rush County, Ind., Dec. 22, 1842, and is a son of John D. Cochran, a native of Abbeville, S. C. When a lad John D. Cochran emigrated with his parents to Indiana, then an unsettled country, and there grew to manhood. In that State his marriage with Miss Sarah P. McGaw was celebrated, and in 1851 they emigrated with their family to Henderson County, Ill., where he still resides. By their union three children were born who lived to be adults: Moses H., the subject of our sketch; Sarah E., wife of G. C. Foster, of Henderson County, Ill., and Mary J., who wedded G. F. Urton, a resident of Hancock County, Ill. Mrs. Cochran died March 22, 1858. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and was highly respected in the community where she lived. The husband was again married, to Miss Rachel Whitman, and they became the parents of four children, three of whom are living—William H., James L. and Maggie E.
When nine years old the subject of our sketch went with his parents to Illinois, where he received a common-school education, his time from 1851 until 1862 being spent in Henderson County. During the latter year he enlisted in the 84th Illinois Infantry, but was rejected. At the call for 500,000 troops made by President Lincoln in 1863, he again enlisted, in the 11th Illinois Cavalry, and was mustered in at Springfield, where he remained about a week, and was then sent to Vicksburg to join his regiment, which was a part of the 17th Corps, and served under Gen. Sherman. Mr. Cochran participated in several sharp engagements, among which were those of Woodville and Egypt Station. He participated in the second raid of Grierson, in which they were on the move for twenty-two days. He was mustered out of service at Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 30, 1865, and immediately returned to his home.
Soon after his arrival at home Mr. Cochran embarked in the grocery business in Hancock County, Ill., which he carried on for sixteen years, and then came to Morning Sun, Iowa, where he is at present engaged in the drug trade as a member of the firm of Cochran & McCormick. Mr. Cochran is a member of the G. A. R. Post, has held the office of Commander, and is now the Adjutant. He also belongs to the Legion of Honor, in which he holds the office of Financial Secretary. Politically, he is one of the stanch supporters of the Republican party, and is a man well posted in the affairs of the county.
In Hancock County, Ill., in 1867, Mr. Cochran was united in marriage with Miss S. E. McKnight, a daughter of David McKnight, of Ohio. Their union has been blessed with two children—John F. and Ray.