Cochran, Asa S

COCHRAN, CHURCH

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/29/2019 at 15:23:24

ASA S. COCHRAN biography
Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 477-78:

"ASA S. COCHRAN, justice of the peace and notary public, was born in Geauga County, Ohio, January 24, 1843, a son of George C. Cochran, and a grandson of John Cochran, one of the pioneers of the Western Reserve, settling there from Blanford, Massachusetts. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, where he lost his health, and died in 1818, leaving four sons and two daughters, George C. being the youngest son, and was a farmer by occupation. In his last years he was a great sufferer from rheumatism, and died in Portage County, Ohio, in the fall of 1863. His widow still survives, and is now making her home in Hamilton Township, Decatur County. Asa S. Cochran, our subject, was reared to manhood in Portgage County, Ohio. In September, 1862, he responded to Governor Todd's call for "squirrel hunters," to repel the threatened invasion of Ohio by Rebel General Morgan, thus he saw a little service, although he was obliged to remain out of the war, as he was the only support of his parents. After leaving Ohio, he went to Allegan County, Michigan, where he taught school for several successive winters, beginning in the winter of 1863-'4. He was married June 27, 1866, to Miss Mabel E. Church, who was born in Portage County, Ohio, May 23, 1845, a daughter of Horace and Sally Church. Of the eight children born to this union four are living -- Frank E., Clara, Wilbur and Cora. Willie and Carrie died in Michigan, the former in his third year, and the latter aged two months; and Walter and Josephine died in Decatur County, in the year 1880, the former aged two and a half years, and the latter in her sixth year. While living in Michigan Mr. Cochran cleared a small farm, which he occupied till November, 1875, since which time he has been a resident of Fayette Township, Decatur County, Iowa. In 1879 he moved to Lamoni, when that village was just started, and engaged in the lumber trade with David and Albert P. Dancer, with whom he was associated for three years. He sold his interest to his partners in March, 1883, and became connected with the Saints' Herald publishing house, as secretary and cashier of that extensive establishment. The year ending March 15, 1866, the business of this office reached the sum of $182,000. In business and social life Mr. Cochran ranks very high in the county, and by his persevering energy and good management has has met with success. Besides his fine residence he owns other valuable property in Lamoni, and is one of the active and enterprising citizens of that place. He is a prominent member of the church of the Latter-Day Saints, and is the presiding elder of the Lamoni branch., In politics he is identified with the Republican party."

NOTE: Asa died on December 11, 1916. Mable Eliza (Church) Cochran died at the age of 77 years on April 30, 1923. They were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni IA. ~SRB

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com )