John P. Cochran
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| John P. Cochran | |
 |
|
| Governor of Delaware | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 7, 1809 Middletown, Delaware |
| Died | December 27, 1898 Middletown, Delaware |
| Residence | Middletown, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Polk Mary Tumlin |
John Price Cochran (February 7, 1809 – December 27, 1898) was an American farmer and politician from Middletown, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.
Contents |
[edit] Early life and family
Cochran was born February 7, 1809 in Appoquinimink Hundred, near Middletown, Delaware, son of Robert and Rebecca Ryland Cochran. He married Elizabeth Polk in 1833 and had seven children: William R., Clara Rebecca, Charles Polk, John Price, Jr., Eliza, Julian, and Cyrus. His wife, Elizabeth died in childbirth in 1855 and he married secondly, Mary Tumlin. There were no known children of this marriage. They lived at "Cochran Grange," one mile west of Middletown and were members of the Presbyterian Church. He was a “leading farmer and fruit grower.”
[edit] Political career
Cochran was elected to the New Castle County Levy Court in 1838 and 1846. In 1874 he was elected Governor of Delaware by defeating Isaac Jump, the Republican candidate and served from January 19, 1875 until January 21, 1879. He was the first governor from New Castle County in thirty years, and was regarded as a progressive governor, advocating improvements to the school law, and reapportionment of the General Assembly, to more fairly reflect the population of New Castle County. The reapportionment proposal was not approved. The General Assembly did, however, pass legislation requiring businesses serving the public “to provide equal accommodations for those who might be deemed obnoxious by others.” This effort to deny civil rights to African-Americans was to remain on the books until 1963.
The 78th and 79th Delaware General Assembly sat during Cochran’s term of office. The 78th General Assembly met in 1875/76 and had a Democratic majority in both houses, as did the 79th General Assembly, which met in 1877/78.
[edit] Death and legacy
Cochran died December 27, 1898 at his home near Middletown, Delaware and is buried at the Forest Presbyterian Cemetery in Middletown.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: James Ponder |
Governor of Delaware January 19, 1875 – January 21, 1879 |
Succeeded by: John W. Hall |
[edit] Public offices
Elections are held on the first Tuesday after November 1st. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday in January, and has a four year term.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Executive | Dover | 1874 | January 19, 1875 | January 21, 1879 |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1874 | Governor | John P. Cochran | Democratic | 12,488 | 53% | Isaac Jump | Republican | 11,239 | 47% |
[edit] References
- Hancock, Harold Bell. (1961). Delaware during the Civil War. Wilmington, Delaware: Historical Society of Delaware. 0-924117-24-9.
- Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co..
- Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
- Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
[edit] Images
- Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery [1]. Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover
[edit] External links
- Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978 [2]
- Delaware’s Governors [3].
- Find a Grave [4]
- The Political Graveyard [5]
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [6] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [7] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
