The Cochrun Families of Allen County, Ohio

HAMES COCHRUN. Among the old ge = g families of this county which pos-. both on account of the prominence of its living representatives and its conof this section for almost a century—is that of Cochrun, the earliest record of which relates grandfather of our subject, James Cochrun. Rev. Simon Cochrun was a notable man in and subsequently, for 47 years, an active minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He about 1756, and died in this county January 9, 1845, aged 89 years, 11 months and 6 days. very early in the ’30’s, being then a minister; as, in the old records, may be found the statefor Elias Wright and Sarah Bowman early in 1835. Rev. Simon Cochrun had three sons: cated on a farm in German township, in 1800; and Wesley and John, both of whom served in house in the township was built on the Cochrun farm, with either Asa Wright or John held in the home of John Cochrun by Rev. Krellum, the pioneer members being John ago. In the patent to his farm of 67 acres, Griffith Breese, passed then into the Hover tie interest in politics, but his active participareligious faith he is a Methodist.

sesses a most interesting history— nection with the public affairs and personages to the birth of Rev. Simon Cochrun, the great-his day, having been a Revolutionary soldier was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, In all probability he came to Allen County ment that he performed the marriage service Thomas, born in Kentucky in 1800, who lette War of 1812. In 1833 the first school- Summerset as teacher. Church services were Cochrun and wife Hester, James Hayes and wife, a Mr. Ryan, a Mr. Jackson and Nancy Lippincott. Later Rev. Sullivan ministered in a church that was destroyed by fire, another being erected in the northeast corner of the township.

In 1832 Wesley Cochrun, the grandfather of James Cochrun, of Spencerville, located four miles north of Lima, where he entered land and improved a farm on which he lived until the close of his life, dying at the age of 85 years. He was an enthusiastic member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife survived him some years, dying at the age of 88. Of their children, seven reached maturity, viz: John, Simon, William, Rebecca, Susan, Jane and Sarah. John located in Franklin County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits; Simon, named for his grandfather, became the father of the Spencerville Cochruns; Rebecca is deceased; Susan, widow of A. G. Pague, lived and died on the old homestead; Jane married a Mr. West and they removed to Texas; and Sarah married a Mr. McGuire and resided at Ada, Ohio.

Simon Cochrun was born in Ohio in 1822, and died at his home in Amanda township, February 11, 1895. He was Io years old when the family came to this county. He settled in Amanda township in 1855. While he engaged in various kinds of employment working for a time on the canal, then in course of construction, and following agriculture as suited his convenience—he was more fitted for a professional life, being a man of natural mental superiority. In the early days he taught a subscription school in the old log schoolhouse, being thus irregularly employed throughout the township until after his marriage.

When he reached mature years, Simon Cochrun married Lucinda Miller, a daughter of William Miller, who, with his wife Nancy, resided some two miles west of Cairo, where they reared a family well known throughout the county. Mrs. Cochrun survived her husband and later moved to Spencerville, where she died. The five children of this union were- James; Lambert Y.; William and Elizabeth, both deceased; and Jasper L.

James Cochrun, the eldest son of Simon and Lucinda Cochrun, was born in Amanda township in 1847. He was reared on the home farm, completed his education in the local schools, and, like his father, for some years combined farming and teaching. In the winter of 1865, after his return from military service in the previous August, he began his career as a teacher and continued thus employed through the four succeeding winters. He conducted a farm in section 10, Amanda township, in partnership with his younger brother, Jasper L. Cochrun, the firm making a specialty of stock-raising. After moving to Spencerville, in 1888, he continued to be interested in stock and still handles a large amount, being probably one of the best judges in that line in the county. From his dealings in live-stock was developed his butchering business, and for a number of years he conducted a fine meat-market at Spencerville, to which he later added an ice business. The latter increased to such proportions that he disposed of his meat business and devoted his attention to ice, coal, lime, sand and cement. He now controls the largest coal business in the place and is one of the town’s representative business men as well as a leading citizen in other ways.

In political sentiment Mr. Cochrun has always been a Republican. He has twice been honored by the citizens of Spencerville by election to the mayorality, and has served two terms as justice of the peace. His enlistment in February, 1865, for service in the Civil War, was for one year, but the close of hostilities brought about his honorable discharge in August of the same year. He was a member of the 191st Ohio Reg. Vol. Inf., under General Brooks and was mustered out of Company H., at Winchester, Virginia. His service had been in the Shenandoah Valley.

Mr. Cochrun was married (first) to Jennie Martin, who died in 1881, and they had two children, both of whom died in infancy. She was a daughter of Archelaus and Catherine (Russell) Martin, the latter of whom was a sister to Susanna Russell, who was the first white child born in Allen County, her birth occurring July 13, 1817; at short vAmanda:

Archelaus Martin was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, July 30, 1805, and removed in youth to Champaign County, Ohio, settling four miles east of Urbana. Subsequently he removed to Amanda township in what is now Allen County, and was the second teacher here, having 15 pupils in 1829. He later returned to Champaign County, but permanently located in Allen County, in 1833 marrying Catherine Russell, daughter of Andrew Russell, and settling in section 10, Amanda township. He was a justice of the peace for three terms.

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

LAMBERT Y. COCHRUN, the leading dry goods merchant and notion dealer, at Spencerville, belongs, to. one of the old-established families of. the county, Mr. Cochrun was born in Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Simon and Lucinda (Miller) Cochrun, a grandson of Wesley Cochrun and a great-grandson of Rev. Simon Cochrun.

Rev, Simon Cochrun was a very early settler of the county, one of the pioneer ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had fought in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War. He was born about 1756 in Montgomery County, Kentucky, and very early in the ’30’s migrated to Ohio and settled in Allen County. Of his three sons, Wesley, the grandfather of our subject, entered land four miles north of the city of Lima, in 1832. He was born in Kentucky, in 1800, had served in the War of 1812, and at the age of 32 years was already a family man. He developed a fine farm from the wilderness, was a promoter of religion and education in his locality, and concluded a life of 85 years in useful service to. his family and community. Their humble home of logs was one of good cheer and hospitality, as it was also the gathering place for the founders of the-Methodist Episcopal Church in the locality, the whole family having been closely identified with its establishment. Seven of his children reached maturity, namely: John, Simon, William, Rebecca, Susan, Jane and Sarah. John Cochrun became a farmer in Franklin County, Ohio; Rebecca is deceased; Susan, widow of A. G. Pague, lived and died on the old Cochrun homestead; Jane became Mrs. West and removed to Texas, and Sarah became Mrs. Mc- Guire and lived at Ada, Ohio.

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7I4 a man of native ability and acquired education. He was born in this county in 1822, and died at his home in Amanda township February 11, 1895. He became one of the leading educators of the county, teaching a number of years and training three of his sons to the profession. In 1855 he settled in Amanda township, where the remainder of his life was passed. He married Lucinda Miller, a daughter of William and Nancy Miller, who resided some two miles west of Cairo. Mrs. Cochrun survived her Lusband, and at the time of her death was a resident of Spencerville. The five children of this marriage were: James, a prominent business man and well-known citizen of Spencerville; Lambert Y.; William, who died at the age of 17 years; Elizabeth, who died when 22 years of age; and Jasper L., a farmer of Amanda township.

Lambert Y. Cochrun was carefully reared and well trained in agriculture on the home farm, where he lived until his 16th year. He passed creditably through the public schools; in 1869 completed a course at the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, and began teaching when 17 years of age. He thus continued for five years and then decided to enter into business. In the spring of 1875 he formed a partnership with Joseph August in the hardware and grocery business, which the firm continued for 18 months, when Mr. Cochrun withdrew and resumed teaching. In the spring of 1878 he reentered business, purchasing a stock of groceries and opening up in a small frame building, which has since been replaced by a business block of fine proportions. Having made a success of his grocery, he enlarged the scope of his enterprise by adding a line of boots and shoes, and was preparing to still further expand the establishment when the disastrous fire of 1884 destroyed both property and stock. In a very short time, however, he had completed the erection of his present two-story brick building, the second to be constructed of that material in Spencerville. He now has a commodious store, 26 by 90 feet in dimensions, and equipped in modern style, as befits the leading dry goods emporium of the place. His well-selected stock would do credit to a city of much larger population than Spencerville, and Mr. Cochrun takes pride in the fact that he satisfies a very discriminating public. An excellent business man, his patrons find him also a courteous gentleman with whom it is a pleasure to deal.

On March 31, 1872, Mr. Cochrun was married to Margaret E. Berryman, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, July 9, 1852, and is a daughter of Russell and Elizabeth (Whetstone) Berryman. These children were born to this union, viz: Bert C., Carrie M., Jannette, Raymond F. and Frank W. All survive with the exception of Raymond F., who died aged six years. The family home, one of the most comfortable and attractive in the place, is also one of the most hospitable. The young people are all bright, intellectual, cultivated young Americans, who enjoy social pleasures with zest, and many literary programs have been carried out in their please'nt parlors. Mr. Cochrun and family are connected with the Baptist Church.

Mrs. Cochrun represents one of the old Ohio families. Tradition, well established, tells of the beginning of the Berryman family on American soil. Seven brothers of the name came from England, the names of the five preserved being John, James, George, William and Thomas. Prior to the Revolutionary War they emigrated to New Jersey, and from William Berryman have descended the Berrymans of Ohio. He had left England on account of religious persecution, afterward joining the patriot army and fighting under Washington. His death is not recorded, but as his family resided in New Jersey it is probable that he died in that State. One of his sons — his namesake — emigrated to Virginia, after the Revolutionary War, settling in the vicinity of Wheeling, whence he removed to Montgomery County, Ohio He then settled on a farm near Dayton, and subsequently removed to what afterward became Auglaize County, entering 200 acres of land in Logan township and residing upon it until his death in 1830. He joined a Virginia regiment in the War of 1812, and was buried in Amanda township.

William Berryman (2) married, in Vir-

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr._ Cochran has always been an active and useful citizen. For two.

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

JASPER L. COCHRUN, one of

Amanda township's leading citizens and substantial farmers, resides on his home farm of xoi acres in section 10, his place being known as the "old Archelaus Martin farm;" he also owns 179 acres in Auglaize County. Mr. Cochrun was born in Amanda township, February 1. 1859, and is a son of Simon and Lucinda (Miller) Cochrun, a grandson of Wesley Cochrun and a great-grandson of Rev. Simon Cochrun.

, Rev. Simon Cochrun was a Revolutionary soldier, and for almost half a century was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His birth occurred about 1756, in Kentucky, and he died in this county in 1845, aged 89 years, 11 months and 6 days. He had three sons, one of these, Wesley, becoming the grandfather of Jasper L. Cochrun.

In 1832 Wesley Cochrun settled on a farm some four miles from Lima, on which he resided until the close of his life, at the age of 88 years. Of his large family, seven reached maturity; John, Simon, William*, Rebecca, Susan, Jane and Sarah. Simon Cochrun, father of our subject, was born in, Ohio in 1822 and died February 11, 1895, at his home in Amanda township, where he had settled in 1855, when our subject was four years old. For many years he was a teacher in the local schools and was a man much honored by the entire community. He married Lucinda Miller, a daughter of William and Nancy Miller, and five children were born to them, namely: James, Lambert Y., William, Elizabeth, and Jasper L.

Jasper L. Cochrun was reared on the home farm, attended the common schools of Amanda township, and preparatory to teaching enjoyed two terms at the Ohio Normal University at Ada in 1877 and 1878. He was 19 years old when he commenced teaching and continued in the profession for five consecutive years. He then entered into partnership with his oldest brother, James Cochrun, under the firm name of Cochrun Brothers, engaging in the buying and selling of stock and the raising of cattle and hogs. His brother later removed to Spencerville and engaged in business there, but our subject has remained on the farm and has carried on extensive farming and stock-dealing operations for a number of years. He buys and ships from two to four car-loads of stock a week, and keeps from 20 to 50 head of cattle, being one of the leading stockmen of his part of the county.

In June, 1881, Mr. Cochrun was married to Catherine Belle Cameron, who is a daughter of James and Sarah (Borsock) Cameron, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Cochrun is one of a large family and was born at Spencerville, February 28, 1859. Of the four children born to our subject and wife, three survive: Paul Wesley, James Lee and Helen Ruth. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Cochrun is a trustee. Both he and his wife take an active part in church work and he has served as Sundayschool superintendent and class leader. He was only 17 years old when he united with this church, and but two survive who then were members. He has seen many changes in his section of the county and has done his full share in bringing about its development and improvement. For many years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias.

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

JAMES COCHRUN, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Delphos, was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 25, 1804, descended from a line of Scotch pioneers of that name in Virginia. He has a brother and two sisters living: John M., Catharine and Nancy. Mr. Cochrun came to this county in 1817. He married, in 1829, Miss Julia Ann, daughter of Andy Russell of Amanda Township, this county, who settled there in 1817. He has one son, William M., living, by this marriage. His second marriage was in 1834 with Isabel, daughter of William Sunderland, who settled in Amanda Township in 1817. He has two sons and six daughters living by this marriage: Elizabeth, Julia Ann, Mary, James M., Ellen, Hattie, Nancy and Orlando, and lost a daughter and three sons, one of whom George W., died in Mellon Prison, Ga., after an honorable service in the Union Army. James M., the second son living. was married in 1870 to Ellen, daughter of Jacob Roush of Amanda Township, who bore him a daughter, Minnie Almerta, now living, and two sons, William S. and Edward, who are buried with their mother in the King cemetery here; and in 1878 he married Catharine, daughter of Samuel Baxter, and by her he has one son and two daughters: Dora, Orlando Bertrue, and Viola. He did active and honorable service in Company B, McLaughlin’s Squadron, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, during the last two years of the war; is a member of Reul Post G. A. R. James Cochrun Sr., has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for thirty-five years, and an elder in it for many years. He is well and favorably known as one of the public-spirited pioneers of Allen County.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

AMES M. COCHRAN, one of the well-known residents of Marion township and a veterinarian of great skill, belongs to one of the very old families of Tennessee, which is also numbered among the old and honored pioneer families of Allen County. His male ancestors were distinguished both in the War of the Revolution and in the War of 1812.

James M. Cochran, the great-grandfather of the present James M., was born in Scotland and came to America prior to the Revolutionary War. He settled among the mountains of Tennessee, took an active part in the affairs of his section, participated in the border wars and, as far as known, protected his property and family in those pioneer days, as became a man of sturdy courage. His three sons were named, William, Benjamin and Isaac.

William Cochran, the eldest, was our subject’s paternal grandfather. He was born in Tennessee and served seven years in the In-

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dian wars of his native State. In the War of 1812 he also served as a soldier and for this service received a land grant of 200 acres located in Paulding County, Ohio. He had settled, prior to this, among the pioneers of Ross County, Ohio, where he married Betsey Maqnery, a lady of Irish extraction and of Revolutionary ancestry. To this marriage were torn 10 children, of whom the following reached mature years: John M., Jane, James, Catherine, Nancy and William. Of these, John M. was treasurer, of Putnam County. When he went to the county seat to make settlement, he carried the funds in his wallet on horseback, the amount at that time not exceeding $60. William, his brother, was one of the early sheriffs of Putnam County, a representative man of his day, prominent in political and business life.

William Cochran the elder was an able man and left the impress of his sterling character. on every locality in which he lived. From Ross County he moved in 1821 to what is now Allen County. He "squatted" on a small farm on the Auglaize River and during his short period of residence cleared up one field. This farm,. located in section 4, Marion township, is now’ owned by the King family and is occupied by a Mr. Wagner. After the land came into the market Benjamin Cochran bought it and William then removed to the farm now occupied by Mr. Long, located two miles north of Dr. Cochran’s home in section 22, with the Auglaize River bordering it on the west. Later he bought 103 acres at Middlepoint, Van Wert County, and this, together with his land in Paulding County, made him the owner of 310 acres. He died on his farm at Middlepoint, at the age of 88 years, one of the few survivors of the pioneers who had come to Allen County before the Shawnee Indians had departed. He served officially in Putnam (Allen) County, and was a circuit court judge, being appointed at Kalida, Ohio.

James Cochran, the third son of William Cochran and the father of Dr. Cochran, was born in Ross County, Ohio, November, 25, 1804. Born among pioneer surroundings, his education was limited. School terms were of short duration in those days and accommodations necessarily poor in the small, hastily constructed log school-houses; but he possessed the native ability of his family and was reckoned among the well-informed men of his day. The large amount of active, outdoor exercise involved in clearing and cultivating the pioneer farm, gave him a stalwart frame and the robust health which prolonged his years for beyond those of his contemporaries. He died in Marion township, Allen County, June 12, 1893. His son, our subject, can recall many of the conditions of pioneer, life from his own experience and many others from hearsay, and they are very interesting as presenting a picture so different from what may be seen here at the present day.

The family home was built first of round logs, right in the forest, but a-more secure one was later constructed of hewed logs. The clearing of the 100 acres, on which Dr. Cochran now resides, was done with ox teams, the great strength of the oxen performing the tasks which now would be done by machinery. Mr. Cochran used the old wooden mold-board plow and threshed his grain with a flail. The Shawnee Indians were yet a powerful tribe in this section, in fact, when Mr. Cochran came to the county he had but three families of white neighbors. Treating the Indians with justice, Mr. Cochran made friends with the braves and they traded together to their mutual benefit, and no Indians ever endangered the peace of his family. With the assistance of his white neighbors, Mr. Cochran blazed paths through the forests. Wild animals still roamed all through this section, the wolves and deer coming to the very door. A number of the latter were shot from the doorstep, for food. The larger was also easily supplied with fish from the clear Auglaize River.

For household supplies it was necessary to go to Defiance by boat, and to Pickaway with grain for the mill, the latter trip being one of importance and requiring a week’s absence from home. With his neighbors Mr. Cochran assisted in the building of the canal, worked in the timber getting out material for the building of the locks on the same, and also worked on flatboats which were built at Wapakoneta for use on the river.

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James Cochranf was twice married; first on September 10, 1826, to Julia Ann Russell, who was a daughter of one of the first settlers in Amanda township, where he located in 1817, lived at Fort Amanda and was a large Indian trade. The children of this marriage were: William R., who was born in 1829, and two daughters, both of whom died. The mother of these children died in 1834. Two years later Mr. Cochran married Isabella Sunder-, land, and 12 children were born to this union, the survivors being: Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Stemen, of Huntington, Indiana; Julia Ann, wife of Henry Temple, of Convoy, Ohio; Mary, wife of Robert Martin, of Nebraska; James, the subject of this, sketch; Ellen, wife of William Daniels, of Missouri; Nancy, wife of Clarence Hurlbutt, of German township; and Orlando, a resident of Boston, Massachusetts. Hattie, deceased, was the wife of Frank Elder. George served in the Civil War as a member of McLaughlin’s Squad, Ohio Cavalry, and was taken prisoner in Stoneman’s raid. He was incarcerated in Andersonville Prison and died in Mellon Prison in October, 1848. James Cochran was a magistrate in Marion township and served in a number of the township offices. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church.

James M. Cochran, the immediate subject of this sketch, was educated in the schools of Marion township, in which township he has always had his residence. When not more than seven years of age, he assisted in filling in the embankment of the P., -Ft. W. & C. Railway near his home, hauling the dirt in his little cart. He well remembers the old days of harvesting, when he used the old-fashioned cradle almost from sunrise to sunset, for 75 cents a day. His present fine farm is operated by a tenant along modern lines. His beautiful residence and substantial farm buildings are very noticeable from the Lima turnpike road, the highway which passes his gate.

Dr. Cochran has always taken more than the usual interest that an agriculturist and stockman takes in the health and development of animals, appreciating their many admirable qualities and understanding their structure and ailments. During the Civil War, as a member of Company B, McLaughlin’s Squad, Ohic> Cavalry, he put many of his theories into practice, which resulted in the saving of many horses to the service. Since 1880 he has given almost constant attention to a veterinary practice which extends all over the county. He has attended no college; but he has gained a wonderful amount of useful knowledge in his profession through.practical experience and real interest in his work.

Dr. Cochran has been twice married; first to Ellen Roush, who was a daughter of Jacob Roush of Amanda township. The death of his first wife and two-sons, William S. and Edward, left him not only with his domestic peace disturbed, but just at that time overcome with financial difficulties, in fact without a dollar. He was living on his father-in-law’s farm and Mr. Roush insisted upon his remain-- ing there. Through great industry and perseverance he managed to regain his financial standing, and now is one of the substantial men of the township. In 1878 he married, second, Catherine Baxter, who is a daughter of Samuel Baxter. He has one daughter by his first marriage, Almerta, who is the wife of Charles Ford, of Marion township. The three children of his second union are: Dora, wife of Jesse S. Myers, who resides in Marion township, south of the homestead; Orlando.Bertrue, living at home; and Viola, wife of Ernest East, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Cochran remained for a time on Mr. Roush’s farm in Amanda township, then rented the homestead farm and finally purchased it. It is a fine property and possesses more than the usual amount of interest for the Doctor, as he assisted very materially in the clearing of the greater part of it from the primitive forest.

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