Freestone County, Texas
Biographies 



Biography of Dr. John Van Buren Cochrum
(Sep. 30, 1858-1929, buried: Coolidge Cemetry in Coolidge, Limestone Co., TX.)

A History of Central and Western Texas, Volume 2
Lewis Publishing Company, 1911; pages 483-484

   John V. B. Cochrum, M.D. - The medical profession of Limestone county includes
in its membership Dr. Cochrum, who is practicing in the progressive little town
of Coolidge. He is also a native son of the Lone Star state, born in Freestone
county on the 30th of September, 1858.  John Cochrum, his father, born in Alabama
about 1814, was only ten years of age when he came to Texas, and while yet a boy
he joined General Houston in his fight against the Mexicans and participated in 
the battle of San Jacinto. He also served in the Mexican war under General Scott.
By his marriage to Patience Self he became the father of four children, three sons
and a daughter, the doctor being the youngest born. The husband and father died
in 1859, but the mother survives and is living in Freestone county. She has been
a second time married, wedding, in the spring of 1861, Charles Kilgore, who came
to Texas as early as 1838. Of the eight children which were born of this second
union, only a son, Charles R. Kilgore, is living, and he resides at the old 
homestead farm in Freestone county.
    Dr. Cochrum received a district school training, and in 1892 he graduated
from the Memphis Medical College and later pursued a post graduate course in the
Tulane University in New Orleans. His first practice was in the Avant Prairie
country in Freestone county, where he remained for two years, was then for 
fourteen years a practicing physician at Island, in Limestone county, spent one
year in professional work in Rienze, Hill country, and in 1906 he came to Coolidge.
The doctor at one time owned a cotton gin in the town of Island, which burned in
1903, and in 1909 he built the gin which he now owns in Coolidge. He also owns
store buildings and a residence property at Datura.
   On the 25th of August, 1881, the doctor was married to Miss Missouri Kauffman,
who was born and reared in Georgia, a daughter of Mark and Mary (Garrett) Kauffman,
who came to Texas in 1879. The seven children of this union are: James H., Henry
G., John W., Robert Lee, Mrs. Mamie Davis, Luretta and Lora. All of the children
reside in Limestone county.
    Dr. Cochrum has fraternal relations with the Masonic order, Armour Lodge, and
with the Woodmen of the World. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic
party, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church at Coolidge.