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Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Rev. W. B. Cochran, pastor of the Christian Church, and also real estate and insurance agent, at Aurora, Mo., was born in Clay County, Mo., April 13, 1846. He is a son of Hugh and Maria (Stockton) Cochran, who were born in Ross County, Ohio, and grandson of James Cochran, who was born in Scotland, and came to the United States at an early day, locating in Pennsylvania, and later in Ohio. He died in Lafayette, Ind. Hugh Cochran was born in 1805, and was reared and married in his native county (Ross County). In 1832 he moved to Tippecanoe County, Ind., but in 1837 came to Clay County, Mo., and in 1849 to Caldwell County, where he died in 1856. He was a successful farmer, a Whig in politics, and was an elder in the Old School Presbyterian Church. The mother died in Caldwell County, Mo., in 1871. They were the parents of seven children, only three of whom are living: Mary J. (wife of Josiah Crossett), James A. and William B. The latter was reared to maturity in Caldwell County, and received a liberal education in the common schools. In January, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Missouri State Militia, and served over three years. He rose to the rank of corporal, and was in a few skirmishes and one battle. At the close of the war, he went to Greene County, Mo., where he was married, and remained until 1874, being engaged in farming and working at the printer’s trade. He worked for about two years in the Government Printing Office, at Springfield Mo., and in 1875 came to Aurora, where he has since resided. In October, 1873, he was ordained a minister of the gospel, and has been pastor of three churches in Lawrence County: Aurora, Verona and Mount Vernon. He was preaching at the former place when he was elected to the State Legislature, and served one term. He is at present one of the city council. In 1864 he was married to Martha Hollingsworth, a native of Greene County, Mo., by whom he is the father of two children: Eva (wife of Dr. Cottingham) and Taylor. In 1882 Mr. Cochran engaged in the insurance business, and in July formed a partnership with J. D. Conrad in the insurance and real estate business, and the firm is doing a paying business. He is a member of the Cornelia Mining Company, of Barry County, and is a member of the Masonic and A. O. U. W. fraternities.

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This family biography is one of 272 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Lawrence County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Lawrence County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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