Biographical Sketch of
Robert Cochrane
Transcribed by Barbara Voss
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 459 - 460 Hon. Robert Cochrane of Westfield is one of the well known pioneers of Marquette County and the founder of the village in which he now makes his home. In the month of September 1849, he and his brother H.B. Cochrane landed in Marquette County. There were then no residences between Westfield and Montello and between the former place and Packwaukee. Little or no evidence was given of the vast and rapid changes which were so soon to take place transforming the county from a wild and unsettled wilderness to its present advanced position. The first house erected on the present plat of Westfield was built by the Cochrane brothers in the winter of 1849. It was a log structure and continued to be their home until 1850. They also erected the following summer the first saw mill in Marquette County. That building is still standing and has been in use until within a short time. After forty years the frame work and the shingles of the roof are still in a good state of preservation, though other parts are fast giving way to decay. About 1853 one of the first gristmills of Marquette County was built by Robert and H.B. Cochrane on the site of their present mill but was burned down four years ago and in 1886 was replaced by our subject with a fine roller mill which he still owns and operates. His brother left Westfield a number of years ago and is now residing on a farm near Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Believing that the vicinity in which he located would be an excellent place for a town, Robert Cochrane laid out the original plat to which he gave the name of Westfield in honor of his birthplace. Since then he has made an addition called the central addition to the village plat of Westfield. That village certainly owes its existence to our subject, for no man has so long and earnestly labored for its upbuilding and advancement. He has identified himself with all of its interests, including, social, moral, educational and business enterprises and has made it the thriving little village which it today is. He was there engaged in merchandising for some time in the early days but has devoted the greater part of his attention to milling and the lumber trade. We know the history of the life of this gentleman will be of interest to the readers of this Album so we subjoin the following brief sketch. He was born in the town of Westfield, Chautauqua Co., N.Y., on April 22, 1822 and is a son of Robert and Jane (Law) Cochrane, who were early settlers of the Empire State and were both of Scotch Irish descent. They continued to reside in the town of Westfield until their death. They were the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to mature years with the exception of one daughter. Eight members of that family are still living. The youngest son now owns and operates the old homestead in the State of New York. The two eldest sons, John and H.B. reside near Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Robert is the third in order of birth; James is living in the village of Waupun; and William is the youngest son. Two of the sisters are residents of Westfield, while the other is living in the town of Ripley, Marquette County. Thomas L. was the first of the family to leave the Empire State and emigrate to the West. H.B. settled temporarily in Joliet, Ill., in 1842. In May 1843 Robert followed his brother, he also going to Joliet. He was then twenty one years of age. He left home with but $3 in his pocket and worked his passage around the Great Lakes from Buffalo to Chicago. On his arrival in the latter city he found that he had but 25 cents remaining but he continued on his way to Joliet, where he and his brother worked at whatever they could find to do, including the teaching of schools, which Robert followed during the winter season for several years. In 1845, they went to Waupun, Wisconsin and made a claim which now constitutes the farm of their brother John. Building a house they made their home in that community for some time but later came to Westfield but even after their arrival in this county, continued to work their land in Illinois for a considerable time. We have before given an account of how they laid out the village and established many of its leading industries, and how after some years H.B. removed to Beaver Dam, but our subject continued to make his home in that village. In Westfield, Robert Cochrane was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Emerton, a native of New Hampshire. Unto them have been born five children four of them are now living, namely: Jennie E., wife of Leonard Hettinger; A. Lucy, Robert L. and T. Harry. A number of years ago, for the purpose of securing better opportunities for the education of his children, Mr. Cochrane purchased a fine home in Portage City to which his family removed. They there now reside but the husband and father spends the greater part of his time in Westfield, superintending his large business interests in that place. In his political affiliations, Mr. Cochrane is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the County board of Supervisors and in 1864 was elected and served as a member of the General Assembly of the State. He was also Director and the first President of the railroad built from Stevens Point to Portage. Truly Mr. Cochrane may be called a self made man. We have previously mentioned the small capital with which he had to begin life, the sum of $3, yet he is now numbered among the wealthy citizens of this community. His success is due alone to his energy, industry and determination, and is the reward of perseverance.
Transcribed by Barbara Voss
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