Cochran, Thomas C.

THOMAS C. COCHRAN, merchant, Sheakleyville, Penn., is a son of Samuel and Mary (Cunningham) Cochran. The grandfather of our subject was Thomas Cochran, a native of Adams County, Penn., who settled in Sandy Creek Township, where our subject now resides, in 1812. He subsequently removed to Crawford County, Penn., and settled one mile east of where the town of Cochranton now stands, which place was founded by his son Joseph. Thomas is deceased. Samuel, the eldest son of Thomas, was born January 5, 1790, in Adams County, Penn., and removed to Mercer County with his parents. He was a farmer, and was also extensively engaged in the lumber business. His family consisted of ten children, five of whom are now living: James, who resides in Sugar Grove Township; William, of Sandy Creek Township; Margaret; Mary J., wife of A.D. McCracken, of Mill Creek Township, and Thomas C., who was born April 25, 1823. He received his education at the common schools. In 1851 he engaged in mercantile business in connection with T.K. Cochran, under the firm name of T.K. & T.C. Cochran, at Sheakleyville. In 1856 he severed his connection with T.K. Cochran, and formed the firm of Cochran & Robinson, which firm remained in existence until 1861, when he went to farming. In 1865 he again engaged in business with T.K. Cochran, and was connected with him until 1874, when T.K. Cochran sold his interest to T.A. Robinson, when the firm again took the name Cochran & Robinson, and remained so until 1879, when he, too, sold to Robinson. He then engaged in farming again, which occupation he followed until 1884, when he was appointed assignee for T.A. Robinson. The business then passed into the hands of Minnis & Thompson, and in 1885 he formed the present company of Cochran, Minnis & Co. Our subject was married twice, his first wife being Miss Sibby, daughter of Thomas Sterrell, of Erie, Penn., to whom he was married March 25, 1852. She died in September, 1877, leaving four children: Wilson H., attorney of Mercer, Penn.; Samuel S., of Sandy Creek Township; Joseph E., of Sandy Creek Township, and John K., of Sandy Creek Township. He married for his second wife Arilla, daughter of Joseph Gordon, of Mill Creek Township, and by this marriage they have one child, Mary E. Our subject has served as school director about fifteen years, is a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Sheakleyville, of which he was elder for many years, and in politics he is a Republican. He was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, at Chicago, in 1884.