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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Hugh A. Cochran

Hugh A. Cochran, who is operating the old Cochran homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 4, Kendrick township, and is also engaged extensively in the raising of Duroc Jersey hogs, is a native son of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Ross county, that state, on the 2d of February, 1853. He was one of a family of seven children, whose parents were Joseph and Margaret (Camelin) Cochran, who were likewise natives of Ross county, Ohio, the former born on the 20th of October, 1823, and the latter on the 3d of April, 1819. They are still living, being one of the most venerable and respected couples of this county. Of their seven children but four are now living: Mrs. Elizabeth J. Stephenson, whose home is in Churdan, Iowa; Hugh A., of this review; Lafayette, who is living in Cedar township, this county; and Charles, who makes his home in Rockwell City, Iowa. Two of the children died in infancy, while another daughter, Mrs. Rhoda Ann Powers, died in May, 1877. The family remained residents of Ohio until 1863, when the father brought his wife and children to Iowa, settling on the farm which is now the home of his son Hugh. At that time the land was in a wild state, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement made, but it was rich in possibilities and responded readily to the care and cultivation bestowed upon it, while to-day it is one of the fertile farms of the county. The father built a log house, sixteen by eighteen feet, which answered all purposes. They did not need much space for furniture, for they had little, but though their possessions were small their hospitality was unlimited and many guests were entertained in that pioneer home. For many years the father carried on general agricultural pursuits, but is now living retired.

No event of importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Hugh A. Cochran in his boyhood and youth. He shared with the family in the experiences of pioneer life and remained at home, in the work of the farm, until his marriage. On the 23d of Nevember, 1879, Mr. Cochran was married to Miss Nettie Gamble, who was born February 6, 1854, in Carroll county, Illinois, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Sthrop) Gamble. The father died in lllinois in 1857 and the mother, with her two sons and three daughters, afterward removed to Iowa, settling in Greene county in 1876. Here the mother and sons bought land and carried on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years. At length Mrs. Gamble took up her abode in Scranton, where her last days were passed. By her marriage she had a family of eight children, two of whom have now passed away. Those still living are: Silas G., who makes his home in Thayer, Kansas; John P., who is living near Shenandoah, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Bixby, who is located near Red Oak, Iowa; B. F., who makes his home in Colorado; Mrs. Cochran; and Mrs. Emma Ransom, living in Boise City, Idaho.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Cochran has been blessed with four children: Verna M., the wife of Roy E. West, a resident farmer of Highland township, by whom she has two children, Ethel and an infant; Edith M., the wife of Horace Hedges, who follows farming in Kendrick township and by whom she has three children: Homer, Harry and an infant; Kenneth J., who married Miss Stella Fox, of Webb City, Missouri, and has one child, Ethel Irene; and Elizabeth, at home.

It was subsequent to his marriage that Mr. Cochran, in 1880, removed to Cedar township, this county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which be cultivated for a time and then sold. He next removed to Churdan, Iowa, where he conducted a hardware store for four years, when he disposed of that business and bought a restaurant. When he had carried on that business for a short time, however, he disposed of it and bought one hundred and thirty three acres of land on section 4, Kendrick township, there carrying on general farming for three years. He then sold his land and for a year cultivated a rented farm, after which he went to Missouri, where he purchased a tract of land, which he tilled for two years. The sale of that property left him free to go to Kansas, where he rented a farm. It was while he was living there that the great financial panic of 1893 occurred, but luckily he was able to dispose of his land in Missouri, and, returning to Greene county, he took charge of his father’s farm, upon which he has since remained, thus making his home on section 4, Kendrick township. He now operates one hundred and sixty acres of rich land, over which he played in his boyhood days, while later he received there the practical training of his youth. Now he is giving to it his time and attention and is classed with the representative agriculturists of the community. He is also engaged quite extensively in raising and selling Duroc Jersey hogs. His work is systematically managed and his labors are bringing to him desirable results.

In his political views Mr. Cochran is a republican, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do, he has never sought or desired public oflice. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are much esteemed in the community, Mr. Cochran being known as a man honest in business, progressive in citizenship and faithful to the ties of friendship.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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