Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-12-09
sTAUNToN spEUTATOR AND VINDICATOR.
Col James c. Cochran.
fSouthorn ChurchmapN

Col James c. Cochran.
(Southern Churchman.)
Col. James G. Cochran was born in Char
lottesville, Va, June 5, 1880, and died at his
home, Folly Farm, four miles south OF
Staunt0n, Va. November 2, 1897. His par
ents, John Cochran and Margaret Lynn
Lewis, were of that sturdy race of people
known as Scotch-Irish He was educated at
ried Elizabeth Brooke, daughter OF Robert
Brooke, OF Staunt0n, and granddaughter of
Judge Francis L. Brooke. Of the Supreme
Court OF Appeals of Virginia. After his
marriage Col Cochran moved to Augusta
county and resided at Folly Farm-a mag
niflcent landed estate-until his death. His
wife preceded him to the grave some years,
and but two children survive him, Joseph
Smith Cochran and Mrs. Annie Elizabeth
Rawlinson. Two brothers-JudgeJ John l..
Cochran, of Charlottesville, and DR.. Henry
X. Cochran, of Southwest Virginia, and one
sister, Mrs. John NJ. Preston, of Southwest
Virginia--remain Of his immediate family.
HIS ancestors were among the first settlers
of the Valley OF Virginia, and were con-
|spicuous in civic and martial events during
the early trials and sufferings of the pioneers
who laid the foundation OF our religious and
political institutions.
Col. Cochran was elected Colonel in the
Virginia militia shortly after the close of
the war between the States, by which title
lie was subsequently known. He was twice
elected supervisor for Beverly Manor Dis
trict, which position he held at the time OF
his death-the Office seeking the man and
not the man the office. He was nominated
by reclamation at the Republican, Conven-
ton, for the State Senate at the recent cleo
ton, to be voted for on the 2nd OF November.
on the morning of which day he was sud
denly stricken down and naSSed from the
busy scenes of earth.
Col. Cochran inherited conservative traits
of character and just conceptions OF the So
cial and Individual relations and obligations
Of community. Sprung from sturdy
lineage, he was Jealous of his own rights
those of others. In the realm of business
he was exacting within the limitations of
fairness and justice, and conceded to others
the same measure and rule OF action that he
claimed and practiced for himself. His in
tegrity was above question. His generosity
impulse, but regulated by thoughtful con-
sideration of the conditions and demands
before him. With we'll poised mind. clear
views of duty and the courage of his cOnvic
lions, his opinions on public questions were
maintained with intelligence, firmneSs and
Justice He was as free from unreasOning
prejudice as he was sensitive as to the moral
studied to evade the invasion OF the rights
of others and to respect honest belief where
it was apparent, while he upheld his own
opinions with calmness, deliberatiOn and
intrepid determination. He was, in short,
just man, observing the golden rule of do
ing unto others as he would have others do
unto him.
Although Virginia born and educated and
loyal to the Sonth, his inherited cOnservat-
ism and deliberate methods of thought and
conclusion, led him to the acceptance of the
financial and economic politics which differ
ed from those maintained by majority of
his people, but not in partizan sense nor
for the purpose of political preferment.- He
shrank from public display and position,
but believing in State, national and indi-
vidual integrity, and that honesty is the best
policy in all relations OF life, he quietly and
unostentatiouSly voiced his convictions at
the ballot box for the party that more near
ly represented and reflected his views. He
was we'll informed on all public questions;
his range of reading and study was varied
and wide, and governed by the lights before
him, he never swerved from what he believ-
ed to be his duty as free citizen of a free
country
There were oddities and eccentricities in
his character which were manifested more
in spirit of righteousness than offensive
ness. Genial and cOmpani0nable in his ma
ture and democratic in his intuitions, he was
fond of social intercourse and was always a
welcome and appreciated associate with his
fellowmen. He cherished souvenirs and
mementoes, which recalled conspicuous
events of the past aud pUrpetuated and kept
green the memory and lineamentS of the
men who were identified with prominent and
benefcent achievements.
Possessed of ample fortune, he adminiSt-
cred his business affairs with sound judg-
ment and considerable care, and dispensed
charity with discriminating mind and
ready hand, without OstentatiOus display or
phariSaical pretence. AS neighbOr, he
was kind and thoughtful, accommodating
the less favored of fortune from his abun-
dance. without evoking a feeling OF
humiliating dependence. AS citizen he
was just and upright meeting all the respon
sibilities and OBLIGATIONS of life in spiri: Of
impartial Justice and manly independence
To his family, as husband, father and COM
panion. he was the embodiment of wise
counsel, geneI Gus fOrbearance and devoted
attachment. In every relation of life he
measured up to the stature of true man and
leaves for contemplation character round
ed out i'll manly proportions and adorned
with robust virtues.
Col Cochran cherished the quiet and con-
tentmcnt of home. He enjoyed the beauty
and inspiration OF nature as they were re-
vealed in field and forest, and extracted
from the revolving seasons the sacred and
sublime lessons nature imparts. His educa-
ton, mental training, erudition and strong
common sense, equipped him for almost any
public position to which he might have
aspired; but the strifeS and attritiOns of pub
lie life were averse to his inclinations, and
he sought and coveted the repose of rural as.
ISOLATION and attraction, as the better part,
and only consented to serve his people when
sense of duty induced him to obey their
call. He was wise in counsel, prudent in
suggestion and just and practical in conclu
sion and with these qualifications and at
tainments he always served the public intel
ligently and with an eye single to the pub
lie good and welfare. His life was as free
from harsh contentious as it was possible
for one who had such large interests to look
after, and he bequeatheda name and reputa-
ton that is the synonym FIR integrity, JUS
tice and hoDor-an Inheritance for his chill
dren more precious and to be more appre
ciated than material possessions. and may
be fostered as a guide and inspiration to
their lives. -
Others have paid the debt of nature who
moved among us in more conspicuous and
spectacular public circles and attracted at.
tention because of rarer gifts of speech and
richer modes of expression, but few have
been rounded in more symetrical proportions
as citizen, friend, husband and father, Or
who had deeper hold upon the respect and
esteem of the people Of all conditions and
associations.
He passed away suddenly in the ripeness
| of his manhood. with all his mental facul-
| ties in vigorous and active play, and was
laid to rest by loving hands beneath the
verdure and evergreens of Thornrose GENE
tery, to await the grand assize where judg
| ment will be rendered for the deeds done in
| the body.
.Atter life's ftful fever, he sleeps we'll. !"
ANXIOUS.
Death Of a Venerable Lady.
Mrs. Eliza Cochran, widow of the late
VIM. Cochran, died at the residence of her
son, W. H. Cochran in Greenville, on Wed.
nesday night of last week, in her 9th year.
| Che xroo a douout Chrictiap ond uoo pCfod