BIOGRAPHY: Isaac Ccohran; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

ISAAC COCHRAN, a retired business man residing in Newburgh, was born in this
town, October 29, 1823. He is the son of Alexander Cochran, a native of County
Antrim, Ireland, who emigrated to America in early life, and for a time
sojourned on a farm near Walden, but later located on Gidney Avenue, Newburgh.
After settling here he engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods for southern
markets, being the only manufacturer in this place. In 1825 he removed his
plant to the corner of Liberty and West Streets, where he engaged in the
mercantile business.

Removing to New York City in 1839, Alexander Cochran embarked in the grocery
and tea business on Broadway and Twenty-first Street. Desiring, however, a
more quiet life than his business permitted him to enjoy, he disposed of his
establishment and settled upon a farm near Kensico, Westchester County. About
1858 he returned to New York City, but did not again identify himself with any
enterprise. His death occurred in 1860, when he was seventy-two years of age.
Being a man of business acumen andlarge capabilities, there came to him, in
the legitimate channels of trade, a large degree of success, and his last
years were passed in the enjoyment of all the comforts wealth can furnish. His
religious convictions were firm, and in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, of
which he was a devoted member, he served as Elder. After he came to America he
married Miss Margaret Geery, who was born in Ireland, and died in 1860, aged
sixty-five years.

There were five children in the family of Alexander Cochran, namely: John,
Elizabeth, Jane, Josiah A. and Isaac, all of whom died at an early age except
the subject of this notice. He was reared in Newburgh and attended the old
high school at this place, and also prosecuted his studies in the academy. In
1839 he went to New York City and entered into business with his father, with
whom he remained until 1860. He then embarked in the manufacture of carriages
on Eighty-first Street and Broadway, New York City, where for a number of
years he carried on a successful business. Returning to Orange County in 1866,
ne settled on a farm adjoining the place where he was born. The grounds were
large, comprising thirty-two acres, and the beauty of the place was still
further enhanced by the large residence which he erected on Gidney Avenue. In
1887 he removed to his present residence, a commodious structure built by
Commodore Graham, and situated on the corner of Powell Avenue and North
Street, in the midst of a park of six and one-fourth acres. In addition to
other enterprises, Mr. Cochran assisted in the organization of the Columbus
Trust Company, in which he has since been a Director. For three years he was
engaged in the tea and grocery business on Broadway, Newburgh, carrying on
that enterprise in connection with his other business connections.

Miss Rachel Sommerville, who became the wife of Mr. Cochran in New York City
in January, 1850, was born near Saratoga, Montgomery County, and passed away
in Orange County in 1891. Five daughters and two sons were born of the union,
namely: Jane McB., who married Rev. R. Cunningham, a Presbyterian minister
now residing in Crawfordsville, Ind., where she died in 1890, leaving six
children; Rachael A., who is married and lives in New York City; Elizabeth,
who is at home; Ella, wife of W. C. Johnson, of Newburgh; Caroline M., who
resides with her father; Isaac Alex, a real-estate dealer of New York City;
and Walter S., who also makes his home in the metropolis. An active worker in
the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Mr. Cochran has been an Elder in that
denomination since 1868, and has represented his congregation in various
meetings of the Synod. For twenty-seven years he has been Superintendent of
the Sunday -school, and is still serving in that capacity. To his church he
has given long and faithful service, and he has ever been true and loyal to
its interests and devoted to its welfare. In politics he has always been a
Republican.