Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 353
ANDREW COCKSHOOT, a leading farmer of Wilton Township, residing on section 17, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Dec. 22, 1842, and is the eldest son of Luke Cockshoot, who was born in Manchester, England, on the 22d of March, 1801. He was a son of Lawrence Cockshoot, and in his native land learned the trade of a velvet cutter, which occupation he followed until about the time of his emigration to America. In 1832 he was united in marriage with Margaret Walthew, and immediately afterward, with his young bride, he started for America. After his arrival in this country he engaged for a time as clerk in a mercantile establishment in the State of New York, and then went to Columbiana County, Ohio, where the man with whom he had served his apprenticeship in England was residing.

The Cockshoot family in the old country were among the middle class of people, and he had received a good education in early life. On going to Ohio he followed the profession of teaching, but later reutrned to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he resided for many years, being there engaged as bookkeeper and general manager in a glass factory for about ten years. Later he engaged in merchandising in that city, and also acted as land agent, receiving while in that capacity a large number of land warrants from soldiers who had served in the war with Mexico. In 1856 he came to Iowa, and located not less than 20,000 acres of land for different persons, and also secured for himself about 550 acres, all of which he located in Wilton Township. His family had accompanied him to Iowa, where he had determined to make his future home, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 17. No improvements of any importance had been made on this land at the time of Mr. Cockshoot's purchase, but he devoted his time henceforth to agricultural pursuits and improved a fine farm, upon which he resided until called to his final rest, June 9, 1879.

Mr Cockshoot was a man of much culture, and was well informed on all general issues of the day. Although an Englishman by birth and education, and loving England as the land of his birth, he was a true, loyal American citizen, a great admirer of her free institutions and a warm advocate of her principles of government. Politically, he cast his ballot with the Republican party, and religiously, was a member of the Episcopal Church. His wife survived him several years, dying Aug. 25, 1885. They were the parents of six children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Mrs. Mary Van Dyke, Andrew and Thomas Townley.

Andrew Cockshoot was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Dec.22, 1842, and there passed his childhood days, coming to Iowa with his parents when fourteen years of age. He assisted his father in the labors of the farm until 1882, when he left the parental roof, and was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Davis, who was born in Sweetland Township, July 20, 1858, and is a daughter of Isaiah Davis, who for many years resided in that township. By their union an interesting family of three children have been born---Dell, Luke and Neil. In December, 1883, our subject removed to the farm upon which he yet resides, comprising 180 acres of fine land, which was originally a part of his father's estate, and is highly cultivated and improved. The same year he built his fine residence. He is numbered among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Wilton Township, and receives the respect of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

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