Descendants of Thomas B. COCHRAN

Notes

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3. Samuel W. COCHRAN 1st

BIOGRAPHY:

 

There were a variety of ways to avoid being drafted during the Civil War.  Both the North and South had exemptions to the draft.  Certain government officials were exempt, as were people in certain occupations, i.e. clergymen, telegraphers, etc.  In addition, you could pay a commutation fee, which got your draft postponed.  In the North the fee was $300. You could also provide a substitute.  That is, get someone not liable for the draft to serve in your place, such as a resident foreigner or discharged veteran.  The substitute was paid a fee by the person desiring to avoid the draft.  The substitute could charge as high a fee as the market would bear, which was usually more than the commutation fee.  It was a common practice for substitutes to sign up for someone and then desert, keeping the money and would often sign up again for someone else. $300 in 1864, was equal to about $3,000.00 in 1999 dollars.

 

A lawyer bonded Samuel to serve for him in the Civil War and he was paid $400. He enlisted as a private for the North in the Civil War, 130th Regiment, company I, infantry, Blackford County In. He mustered in at Camp Stillwell, Kokomo In. (According to Civil War records, from the National Archives Wash. D.C., the 130th was mustered in Dec. 1863 and mustered out on Dec. 2, 1865) Records show he, "joined for duty and enrolled" Jan 29, 1864, Hartford City, three years enlistment. He was to serve under Capt. Barnes, but he never joined the company. Instead he deserted on Feb. 1, 1864. He was arrested for desertion on Nov. 9, 1864 in Blackford County, Ind. Samuel was then re-assigned to the 14th Battery in Ind. His last letter was written from Kokomo Guard House on Nov. 15, 1864, where he was confined for desertion. He was sent to Indianapolis and after receiving his bounty and clothing; he was reported as deserting again, on Nov. 19, 1864. This time he never went home and was not heard of again. It's quite possible he was shot for desertion, but that was only practiced for solders deserting and giving comfort to the enemy or turning their rifle over to the enemy.

 

Editor's note: If Samuel was born in IN., had he already served once, to be eligible as a substitute?  Otherwise, he would have been liable for the draft and could not serve in someone's place. 

 

Some speculate he was shot for desertion, which was a common practice for desertion in those days.  However, war records indicate only those that deserted several times or deserted and then went to the enemy with their rifle were shot for desertion.

 

Minerva PALMER

BIOGRAPHY:

According to the 1870 census of Blackford, co, Ind., Minerva's daughter, Josephine, lived with her at her brother Carter's home and her three boys, Samuel 2nd, Caleb and Leander were bound out to live and work for families until age 21.

When Caleb and Leander reached 21, they moved with Minerva to Barada, NE., to live with Minerva's brother Astynax (Stein) Palmer. (Some say Samuel 2nd died at age 19 while still in bondage)  Josephine stayed in Indiana. This was in 1877.

 

Although Caleb would have been 21 in 1877, Leander would only have been 18.  Thus, there is the story that Stein Palmer went back to IN, got the boys released and brought them back to Barada.

 

Minerva lived in Barada, with her brother, until her son, Caleb, married and then she moved in with him. She lived with Caleb, until his death in 1918. She then moved back in with her brother Stein, until her death in 1919.

Minerva kept the last letter (see below) she received from Samuel, her husband.  The letter was passed down with the family bible to Caleb's wife, Elizabeth, then to their daughter, Nell, and then to one of Nell's daughters, Violet McTaggart, Falls City, NE.  It was written from the Kokomo, IN. guardhouse and dated Nov. 15, 1864. 

"Minerva, I have not much to write. I am in Kokomo in the guardhouse. I expect to go to Indianapolis this evening and I suppose be put in the 14th battery.  I am not certain yet Minerva.  It will go hard with me.  You must cheer up under these afflictions.  I am treated better than I expected.  Minerva you must stay at home and do the best you can.  I know it will be lonesome if I don't get to come home.  Whenever I get any money, I will send it home to you.  Minerva I want you to write to me, be sure to write to Indianapolis.  When I get to Indianapolis I will write some more."

This was the last anyone heard from Samuel 1st. 

Samuel W. COCHRAN 2nd

 Samuel 2nd., is even more of a mystery than his father.  One story says Samuel 2nd, died at age 19 while still in bondage.  Another story is that he ran away from bondage, came to Barada in later years and then returned to IN. 

Richard, (grandson of Leander) says as follows, "I remember my dad speaking of an Uncle Sam Cochran. We went to Falls City once when I was young. Grandpa went along and we saw a man they called Uncle Sam. He was very old and I never did understand what the trip was about."

Then, there is the story that Stein Palmer went back to IN, got the boys released and brought them back to Barada.

Apparently, one way or the other, Samuel 2nd did came to Barada and lived in Richardson County for most of his life.

5. Mary A. COCHRAN

BIRTH: T Eastom has Mary's DOB as Dec 06, 1832 and born in VA.

MARRIAGE: T Eastom has Mary's date of marriage as Mar 28, 1852.

John Rosenbaum SHRADER                                                            Go To  Top of Page

BIRTH: T Eastom has John's place of birth in Blackford County, IN.

16. Martha J. SHRADER

BIOGRAPHY: Philip Schmidt was married in Washington township, to Miss Martha J. Shrader, who was born May 8, 1858, in Blackford county, Indiana, daughter of John R. and Mary Ann (Cochran) Shrader. The family was founded in this locality by Absalom Shrader, the grandfather of Mrs. Schmidt, who came from Germany and entered land in Washington township which is now owned by Mr. Schmidt, and here the grandparents spent the remainder of their lives, as did the parents. All were well known and highly honored people of their community, where they were numbered among the solid and substantial residents.
 

Philip Schmidt was born in Delaware County, Indiana, February 18, 1856, and was six years of age when he accompanied his parents to Blackford county. Since that time he has resided within the county's borders. He received his education in the public schools, and inherited the farm which he still owns in section 3, in November, 1877, a tract of eighty acres to which he subsequently added twenty acres by purchase. All of this land is now under a high state of cultivation, and is known as Forest Grove Farm. The large barn, 36 x 56, built in 1902, is well equipped with the most modern improvements, and is well adapted to stock feeding. He built his comfortable eight-room, yellow house in 1886, and has various other structures, which all combine to give the farm an attractive and prosperous appearance. In addition to carrying on general farming Mr. Schmidt grows Poland-china registered swine, blooded cattle of the Short Horn breed, a good grade of horses and Cotswold sheep. His business transactions have ever been characterized by a strict adherence to the highest principles and his reputation among his associates is therefore an enviable one.

To Mr. and Mrs. Philip Schmidt there have been born the following children: Orville, a mechanic of Dundee (Roll P. O.), married Dora Stevenson, and has three daughters and two sons,-Lillie M., Bertha, Milo W., Laura and Glenn; Rexford, a farmer of Washington township, married Addie Sills, and they have no children; Herbert L., born January 11, 1887, was well educated in the public schools and the Marion Normal school, for eight years has been a teacher and has been very popular with his pupils and their parents alike since taking his first school at the age of eighteen years, married Bertha Littlebridge, who was born in Blackford county in 1889, educated at Eaton, Indiana, and Celina, Ohio, and is the mother of two children,-Martha E. and Herbert L.; and Frances Cordelia, who was well educated, being a graduate of the Dundee High school, and is now residing at home with her parents.

Philip Schmidt is a member of the Lutheran church, but Mrs. Schmidt, while supporting all religious bodies, is affiliated with none. The father and sons are all earnest democrats, but merely as voters. Herbert L. is a member of the Indiana State Teachers' Association.

Source: Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana; A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs. Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn, Volume I illustrated; The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914.

Philip Louis SCHMIDT

BIOGRAPHY: Philip Schmidt was married in Washington township, to Miss Martha J. Shrader, who was born May 8, 1858, in Blackford county, Indiana, daughter of John R. and Mary Ann (Cochran) Shrader. The family was founded in this locality by Absalom Shrader, the grandfather of Mrs. Schmidt, who came from Germany and entered land in Washington township which is now owned by Mr. Schmidt, and here the grandparents spent the remainder of their lives, as did the parents. All were well known and highly honored people of their community, where they were numbered among the solid and substantial residents.

Philip Schmidt was born in Delaware County, Indiana, February 18, 1856, and was six years of age when he accompanied his parents to Blackford county. Since that time he has resided within the county's borders. He received his education in the public schools, and inherited the farm which he still owns in section 3, in November, 1877, a tract of eighty acres to which he subsequently added twenty acres by purchase. All of this land is now under a high state of cultivation, and is known as Forest Grove Farm. The large barn, 36 x 56, built in 1902, is well equipped with the most modern improvements, and is well adapted to stock feeding. He built his comfortable eight-room, yellow house in 1886, and has various other structures, which all combine to give the farm an attractive and prosperous appearance. In addition to carrying on general farming Mr. Schmidt grows Poland-china registered swine, blooded cattle of the Short Horn breed, a good grade of horses and Cotswold sheep. His business transactions have ever been characterized by a strict adherence to the highest principles and his reputation among his associates is therefore an enviable one.

To Mr. and Mrs. Philip Schmidt there have been born the following children: Orville, a mechanic of Dundee (Roll P. O.), married Dora Stevenson, and has three daughters and two sons,-Lillie M., Bertha, Milo W., Laura and Glenn; Rexford, a farmer of Washington township, married Addie Sills, and they have no children; Herbert L., born January 11, 1887, was well educated in the public schools and the Marion Normal school, for eight years has been a teacher and has been very popular with his pupils and their parents alike since taking his first school at the age of eighteen years, married Bertha Littlebridge, who was born in Blackford county in 1889, educated at Eaton, Indiana, and Celina, Ohio, and is the mother of two children,-Martha E. and Herbert L.; and Frances Cordelia, who was well educated, being a graduate of the Dundee High school, and is now residing at home with her parents.

Philip Schmidt is a member of the Lutheran church, but Mrs. Schmidt, while supporting all religious bodies, is affiliated with none. The father and sons are all earnest democrats, but merely as voters. Herbert L. is a member of the Indiana State Teachers' Association.

Source: Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana; A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs. Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn, Volume I illustrated; The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914.

8. Caleb M. COCHRAN

BIOGRAPHY: The 1880 census has Caleb M. Cochran living Clay County, KS next door to his brother David Cochran. Then, the 1900 census has Caleb and his family living back in Wells co. Jackson township, Ind.

29. Edgar Leroy COCHRAN

MARRIAGE: Edger and Mary had no children.

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