 |
 |
What's
New | Bios | Birth/Marr/Death | Cemeteries | Census | Courts | Directories/Lists | History | Maps | Military | Photos | Resources | Schools
1907 Past and Present Biographies
Lafayette CochranMr. Cochran is a native of Ohio, born on the 10th of January, 1860. He was one of a family of seven children, whose parents were Joseph and Margaret (Camelin) Cochran. The father was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the 20th of October. 1823. and resided in that county until 1863. He was reared to farm life and in the public schools acquired his education, after which he devoted his entire time and attention to general agricultural pursuits. On the 5th of March, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Camelin, also a native of Ross county, and they continued their residence there until 1863, when they bade adieu to friends and old home in the Buckeye state and came westward to Greene county, Iowa, settling first in Kendrick township, where Mr. Cochran secured a tract of land. Upon this place he built a log house sixteen by eighteen feet and in this primitive home began life in the west amid pioneer conditions and environments. He is still living on the same place but the farm today bears little resemblance to the land which he purchased more than four decades ago. Through care and diligence it has been brought under a high state of cultivation and the fields have returned large crops. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cochran were born seven children, four of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Jane __phenson, a resident of Churdan, Highland township; Hugh A., who is now operating his father’s farm; Lafayette, of this review; and Charles, who is living in Rockwell City, Iowa. Of the children deceased, two died in infancy, while a daughter, Mrs. Rhoda A. Powers, departed this life in May, 1877. As stated, Lafayette Cochran was but three years of age when brought by his parents to Greene county and here he was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, sharing with the family in the hardships and privations incident to the establishment of a home amid pioneer conditions. As his years and strength increased he assisted more and more largely in the work of the farm and through the winter months he was a pupil in the public schools, thus acquiring a good knowledge of the elementary branches of the English language. He remained with his parents until twenty years of age and then started out in life on his own account. He purchased eighty acres of land in Cedar township, where his home now stands, and with characteristic energy he began the development and improvement of the tract. Its value was increased as he brought it under a high state of cultivation and as his labors returned to him a good income he added to the property from time to time, extending the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises two hundred and eighty acres of very rich and productive land on section 32, Cedar township. He has kept in touch with progressive ideas of agriculture and has put forth in the management of his farm a degree of diligence and perseverance that has brought him a gratifying measure of prosperity. On the 5th of April, 1882, Mr. Cochran was united in marriage to Miss Nancy A. Richards, who was then a young lady of about twenty years, having been born in Indiana in 1862. Mr. Cochran was at the time twenty-two years of age. His wife’s parents were Stephen and Hannah (Brown) Richards, both natives of Ohio. They came to Greene county in 1880, settling in Kendrick township, where the father carried on farming until a short time ago, when he removed to Madrid, Iowa, where he and his wife are now living. In their family were eight children: Mrs. Rebecca Groves, a resident of Kendrick township; Mrs. Cochran; Chester, also living in Kendrick township; Mrs. Dora Kinman, whose home is in the same township; Doris, of Jefferson; Frank, a resident of Kendrick township; Mrs. Mary Dillavan, of the same township; and Noah, who is also residing in that locality. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Cochran has been blessed with two children: Wilmer H., who married Lottie Tharp, and has one child, Ruth, their home being in Cedar township; and Roy, who is yet under the parental roof. The family are members of the United Brethren church, in the work of which Mr. Cochran takes a deep and helpful interest, contributing generously to the support of the church and doing all in his power to extend its influence. He has been superintendent of the Sunday school for the last nine years and is a capable presiding officer in that body, being well liked by the children and manifesting much tact and skill in the management of the school. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as road supervisor for fifteen years, also being a member of the school board. The cause of education finds in him a warm and stalwart friend and he does everything in his power to advance public progress along material, intellectual and moral lines. |
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.  Site Terms, Conditions & Disclaimer |