The Cochran Family of Madison County, Iowa

Wesley Cochran gained an unusual measure of success as an agriculturist, accumulating nineteen hundred and twenty-five acres of land in a body. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, on the lath of November, 1834, and when but a child was left an orphan. In 1851, when a youth of seventeen, he accompanied his uncle, M. D. Alartin, to Madison county and in that year entered eighty acres of land in Grand River township. He then returned to Illinois and worked for two years, carefully saving his money. He then came again to Madison county and purchased a piece of timber land, after which he went back to Illinois and worked there in order to earn money with which to improve his land. As soon as he had saved sufficient capital he returned to Madison county and established his permanent home here. His first residence was a log cabin, which remained the family home for nine years. At the end of that time he purchased an adjoining eighty acres, on which was a frame house. He removed the building to the site of his original residence and nine years later built the commodious frame house which still stands. Although the land which he originally purchased was totally unimproved when he settled thereon, it was not long before he had it under cultivation and from the first he found farming a profitable occupation. From time to time he bought other land and eventually held title to nineteen hundred and twenty-five acres of fine land all in a body. Although he was such an extensive landowner, he never purchased land to speculate on, but only for the use of his family. Before his death he gave each of his children a good farm and they are well known and prosperous agriculturists of this county.

Mrs. Cochran still lives upon the homestead, which is excellently improved. Not only are the buildings commodious and well adapted to their respective uses, but there are also a good orchard and a beautiful grove, which add both to the value and beauty of the place, while the fields are inclosed with strong, durable fencing. She has resided there for more than fifty-three years and takes a personal pride in the farm, as it was but a tract of wild prairie land when she and her husband first located on it and as its development was accomplished by their work and planning. Although she endured many hardships in the early days, she is still in good health and takes a keen interest in all that is going on. When she and Mr. Cochran came to this county a half century ago the conveniences that are now taken as a matter of course were unthought of and it was necessary to work long hours and to endure many discomforts. However, there were compensations, as the wild prairie land was rich and productive and when brought under cultivation yielded bountiful crops, and the early settlers had the satisfaction of knowing that they were not only developing properties that would insure them of material prosperity but that they were also contributing to the progress of the state as a whole.

On the lath of November, 1861, Mr. Cochran married Miss Elizabeth Hamblin, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 20th of March, 1842, of the marriage of Simeon and Eleanor Hamblin, who in 1854 became residents of Monroe township, Madison county. Both passed away in that township. To Mr. and Mrs. Cochran were born nine children. Kate became the wife of J. T. Steele and died August 26, 1896, leaving two sons. Jay and Ed, the younger but an infant. They have made their home with their grandmother since their mother's demise. J. H. married Estelle Polk and resides in Winterset. William is a banker of Lorimor, Iowa, and Frank, the next in order of birth, died when twenty-one years of age, October 29, 1892. Walter L., Forrest Lee and Fred are represented elsewhere in this volume. F. W. is the next in order of birth, and Mattie, the youngest of the family, is the wife of J. Ira Tucker.

In his early manhood Mr. Cochran was a member of the Methodist church, but at length his sincerity and honesty revolted against what he believed to be hypocrisy and he withdrew his membership. His conduct always measured up to high standards of morality and he never took advantage of a fellowman or cheated anyone out of even the smallest amount. His political belief was that of the democratic party and he took a commendable interest in the public welfare. His demise, which occurred on the 15th of March, 1912, was sincerely regretted by many and his memory is still cherished by those who knew him intimately.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. H. COCHRAN.

Among the retired farmers of Winterset is J. H. Cochran, who is a native of this county, born in Grand River township on the 2d of November, 1867, a son of Wesley and Elizabeth (Hamlin) Cochran, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Cochran of this review was reared upon the homestead in Grand River township and entered the public schools there at the usual age. He also attended school at Macksburg and took a commercial course at Drake University, thus fitting himself to manage his business affairs efficiently. His father, who was an extensive landowner, gave him a farm and he began his independent career as an agriculturist. He now owns two hundred acres of land in Monroe township and eighty acres in Grand River township, while his wife also holds title to eighty acres in Monroe township. While actively engaged in farming he received a good annual income from his labors, as he planned his work well, j)wanted his crops in good season and saw that everything about the place was kept in good condition. Four years ago he retired from the cares of active life and is now living at his leisure in Winterset.

Mr. Cochran married Miss Estelle Polk, a native of Indiana, born in 1871. A sketch of her father, Charles Polk, is found elsewhere in this work. Mr. Cochran is a republican and has served acceptably as clerk of Monroe township. His wife is a member of the Congregational church and he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Winterset. He is a representative of a family that has for many years been influential in the advancement of the agricultural interests of the county and he has added to the respect in which the name of Cochran is held. His home, on West Washington street, is known for its generous-hearted hospitality and both he and his wife have many loyal personal friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

W. L. COCHRAN.

W. L. Cochran, who is farming on section 24, Grand River township, was born upon the family homestead in that township on the loth of June, 1874, a son of Wesley and Elizabeth ( Hamblin ) Cochran, a record of whose lives is given elsewhere in this work. He acquired a common-school education, and through assisting with the farm work as a boy received valuable training in agriculture. His father gave him two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Grand River township, and he has since added thereto eighty acres, making a total of three hundred and twenty acres, which is in a high state of cultivation and produces excellent crops. He also raises stock quite extensively and finds that business profitable.

Mr. Cochran married Miss Bertha Cook, and they have two daughters, Marie and Helen. He supports the democratic party at the polls.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

F. L. COCHRAN.

F. L. Cochran, a representative of agricultural interests in Grand River township, was born on the Cochran homestead, in that township, on the loth of February, 1877, a son of Wesley and Elizabeth (Hamblin) Cochran, an account of whose lives will be found elsewhere in this work. He was reared under the parental roof, and, in addition to attending the public schools, assisted with the farm work, thus gaining valuable knowledge concerning practical methods of agriculture. After his marriage he began farming for himself upon land which his father gave him. His farm comprises two hundred and forty acres in Grand River township. He follows general farming and stock-raising and as he manager his affairs well and is industrious and progressive he is meeting with gratifying success.

Mr. Cochran married Miss Mate Ethel Terry, a native of Greene county, Iowa, and they have four children, Elizabeth, Pauline, Dorothy and Wesley

Wallace. He cases his ballot in favor of the candidates of the democratic party, as its principles coincide with his political belief. He has earned a place among the prosperous and wide-awake farmers of his township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Fred Cochran, who is farming on section 14, Grand River township, was born upon the Cochran homestead, in this county, on the 25th of April, 1879, a son of Wesley and Elizabeth (Hamblin) Cochran, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared under the parental roof and as soon as old enough began assisting in the work of the farm, being thus prepared to win success as an agriculturist in later life. His formal education was acquired in the public schools in the neighborhood of the homestead..After he reached years of maturity his father gave him a good farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres in Grand River township.

Mr. Cochran married Miss Blanche Livingston, who was born in Union county, Iowa, and is a daughter of W. C. Livingston. Her father is now farming in Grand River township, this county, and is well known and highly esteemed. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran have four children, Esther, Katherine, Martha and Kirk.

Mr. Cochran is a democrat in his political belief and finds time to take the interest of a good citizen in public affairs.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.