From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 177-178
 
COL. JOHN COCHRANE.  In giving a review of the lives of those men of Dodge County, Wis., 
who have helped to make it one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of Wisconsin's many 
interesting counties, it would be like the play of Hamlet, with Hamlet left out to omit the names of 
John COCHRANE for he has ever been among the first to support enterprises of a worthy nature, 
and has been one of her most substantial and progressive tillers of the soil.  He is now living in 
retirement on his fine farm, four miles west of Waupun.  He was born in Chautauqua County, 
N.Y., June 13, 1816, a son of Robert COCHRANE, who was born in North of Ireland of Scotch-
Irish parents.  Upon reaching manhood he came to America and settled in Cattaraugus County, 
N.Y., where he was united in marriage with Jane LAW, followed the occupation of farming and 
reared his children, seven in number, all of whom grew to mature years, three sons and one 
daughter now living.  On his father's fine farm in Chautauqua County, Col. John COCHRANE 
attained manhood, but he unfortunately received but limited educational advantages, and is 
mainly self educated.  After reaching man's estate he tilled the soil on the home place for a few 
years, then determined to seek his fortune in the West, and entered some two years before, and 
which he still owns.  He first erected a primitive log structure for his occupancy, which had a stick 
chimney and puncheon floor, and lived in this while clearing and breaking his land and putting it 
under cultivation.  He "batched" it here with a brother, Robert COCHRANE, for two or three years, 
then the brother sold his claim and moved to Marquette County, located some land and there now 
resides.  The primitive log structure of his pioneer days has long since given place to a 
commodious frame residence, and his barns and outbuildings are all well constructed and 
attractive in appearance.  Col. COCHRANE was married in Chicago, about 1850, to Miss Anna 
MERRILL, a native of Vermont, where she was reared and educated but in 1888 his wife was 
called from life, after having borne him four children: John M., who is a well-educated gentleman 
of excellent habits, has charge of the home farm; Anna Belle is at home, and Edith is attending 
Fox Lake College.  The eldest child, Robert, grew to mature years, and while in the State of 
Washington, where he had purchased some real estate, he was accidentally killed about 1890.  
In politics Col. COCHRANE was formerly a Jacksonian Democrat, but after the organization of 
the Republican party, he identified himself with it, and has taken quite an active interest in local 
politics, and served for a number of years as supervisor, although he never desired office.  He 
was the Greenback candidate for governor of Wisconsin, and received a flattering number of 
votes at the general election.  At various times he has served as a delegate to  county and State 
conventions, in fact has been active in the affairs of his section, and has a State reputation.  He 
has been a resident of Dodge County, Wis., for about half a century, during which time he has 
witnessed the development of the section from a primitive condition, and in bringing about this 
transformation, he has by no means been inactive.  In the use of his means for the benefit of the 
county, he has been liberal, and it is owning to just such citizens as Col. COCHRANE that 
Wisconsin is the magnificent commonwealth that it is.  His name is honored wherever it is heard, 
for it is the synonym for all that is honest, upright and reliable, and owing to his correct mode of 
living and to his many noble traits of character, his friends are legion.
 
Submitted by Carol