William M. Cockrum House

Mr. Cockrum was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Barrett, a native of South Carolina. By that 'union is James M. Cockrum the sole survivor. He was born in 1828. He followed the bent of his father's mind in regard to educational matters, and has done much for the schools of bis vicinity. He was also 'among the first business men of Oakland. In 1861 he abandoned mercantile pursuits and promptly shouldered his musket and went to the front in the defense of the imperiled liberties of his country. After the war he re-engaged in merchandising, and subsequently studied law and engaged in real estate business, in which he still continues. After the death of his wife Col. James W. Cockrum married Judah P. Barrett, sister of his first wife and daughter of William Barrett. Col. William M. is the only survivor of that union. He was bom Dec. 8, 1887, on the old Cockrum homestead, now the center of Oakland City. He is a self-made man, 'There was but poor opportunity in his youth for receiving an education. At the breaking out of the late war he enlisted in Company F of the Forty-second Regi- with his regiment, and continued in the service until the close of the war. In the battle of Chickamauga he was desperately wounded, an ball passing throngh. his body at the hips. He was captured lying on the battle field and taken to Libby prison, where his wound received insufficient treatment at the hands of rebel surgeons, After suffering untold miseries his rugged and strong frame brought him throngh but left for Me, In his younger years be engaged E brother in a general store and produce busi ie. They dealt very largely in pork and leaf tobacco, After the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and ater in stave manufacturing. Col Cockrum in respecta is a typical western man, imbued with that vim, enterprise and push so characteristic of the free sons of the West. He has done more, perhaps, to build up the town of Oakland than any other resident. On the Sth of October, 1866, he was united in m miage to Miss Lucretin, daughter of John and Mary y Neil) Harper. She is also of Scotch-Irish descent. ue children have been born to them. Their names in the order of their birth are: - John B., who is a lawyer and member of the law firm of Handy, Arm strong & Cockram, of Boonville, in Warrick County, the leading law firm in that county; Ella Clara C., who is the wife of T. M. Campbell; Willie, dead: Oliver M., Zoe, Mary, James W. and M. Cockrum. Mrs. Cockrum is a very earnest worker in the cause of Christianity, a member of the General Baptist Church, 'and does all she can to promote and forward the interest of that religious denomination. Politically Col. Cockrum has, since-casting his first vote, been an ardent Republican.

Passage source: SPC BOOKS STOR - 977.235 H History Of Gibson County Indiana, published 1884.

He then engaged in teaching and wasat different times principal of the high school at Fort Branch, Hazleton, and associate principal of the Oakland normal school. He determined to study medicine and adopt that profession as the business of his life, and with this idea in sw, commenced the study in the office of Drs. Dow & Genung, of Fort + He soon after entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati and took one full course, then the next season entered the Indiana Medical College st Indianapolis and graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. In 1879 he commence the practice in Oakland, where he still continues. is a member of the Gibson County and Tri-State Medical Societies. On the 17th of July, 1873, he married Miss Elizabeth Henderson, daughter of W. and Jane Henderson. She is a native of Ohio, Two children have been born to them, whos names are Gertie and Gracie Mason. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a zealous Republican. In 1880 he was elected to represut. Gibson County in the state legislature, and while a member of that body served on several important committees, one of which was the Ways and Means Committee. He at present is president of the school board of Oakland City. He is philanthropic and is always eager to take hold of anything 'that will entrance the interests of the public.

Passage source: SPC BOOKS STOR - 977.235 H History Of Gibson County Indiana, published 1884.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Columbia Township - 7,891 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.