John P. Cochran

John P. Cochran
43rd Governor of Delaware
In office January 19, 1875 – January 21, 1879
Preceded by	James Ponder
Succeeded by	John W. Hall
Personal details
Born	February 7, 1809 Middletown, Delaware
Died	December 27, 1898 (aged 89) Middletown, Delaware
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Eliza Polk Mary Tumlin
Residence	Middletown, Delaware
Occupation	farmer
Religion	Presbyterian

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.

Early life and family

Cochran was born in Appoquinimink Hundred, near Middletown, Delaware, son of Robert and Rebecca Ryland Cochran. He married Eliza Polk in 1833 and had seven children: William R., Clara Rebecca, Charles Polk, John Price, Jr., Eliza, Julian, and Cyrus. His wife, Eliza 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.”

Professional and 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.

Death and legacy

Cochran died at his home near Middletown and is buried in the Forest Presbyterian Cemetery at Middletown.

One of his former homes, Cochran Grange, survives today. Another, Summerton, inherited by his daughter Eliza Green, remained in the Green family until 1953, after which it had a succession of owners.^[1] In the mid-1980s and mid-2016, Summerton was considered for historic preservation, but such was opposed by its owner since 2012, Bluegrass Investments LLC, which kept the property vacant and arranged for its demolition and replacement by a Royal Farms convenience store and gas station. The involved real estate agent, Lisa Johannsen, in light of the 500 online signatures to stop the demolition, arranged for a farewell picnic.^[2]

Almanac

Elections are held on the first Tuesday after November 1. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday in January, and has a four-year term.

Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor)
Year	Assembly		Senate Majority	Speaker		House Majority	Speaker
1875-1876	78th		Democratic	Charles C. Stockley		Democratic	Thomas Holcomb
1877-1878	79th		Democratic	John T. Moore		Democratic	Hugh Martin

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	notes
Governor	Executive	Dover	January 19, 1875	January 21, 1879

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1874	Governor		John P. Cochran	Democratic	12,488	53%		Isaac Jump	Republican	11,259	47%

References

1. http://www.middletowntranscript.com/article/20160303/NEWS/160309925
2. Middletown Transcript p. A16 (April 28, 2016)

• Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
• Hancock, Harold Bell. (1961). Delaware during the Civil War. Wilmington, Delaware: Historical Society of Delaware. ISBN 0-924117-24-9.
• Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
• Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.

Images

• Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery . Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover

External links

• Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States
• Find a Grave
• Delaware’s Governors
• The Political Graveyard

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; [phone]
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; [phone]