San Francisco County

Biographies

JOSEPH PARK COCHRAN

JOSEPH PARK COCHRAN is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Chester county, July 21, 1827. He is the son of Matthew B. Cochran, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather, Thomas Cochran, came from Scotland to America, settled in Pennsylvania where several generations of the Cochrans were reared, resided and died. Mr. Cochran’s father married Miss Harriet Park. Her ancestors were also from Scotland and were early settlers in Pennsylvania, where she also was born. They had a family of six sons and a daughter; three of them are still living. Mr. Cochran is the second child. When he was ten years of age, they removed to Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, where he was educated and resided until 1850; he then came overland to Sacramento, and eager for gold went immediately to the mines near Auburn, in Placer county. In 1851 he prospected all over the Nubia river country and mined on the American river at Murderer’s Bar. From that point he went to Salmon Falls on the American river, and also mined on Michigan Bar, meeting most of the time with average success. There they spent much time in turning the river, and in that effort Mr. Cochran lost most of the gold he had dug.

In 1864, after abandoning mining, he was appointed Receiver of the mint at San Francisco. His appointment was received from the United States Treasurer, and he filled the position acceptably for four years. He was then appointed, under President Grant’s administration, melter and refiner in the mint, which position he filled for four years. While acting in this capacity his management was unprecedented in the small amount of loss to the Government, and his settlements were so highly satisfactory that it was a source of congratulation to himself and his many friends, as his record was one of the finest and best. When through with his position in the mint, he received the appointment of First Deputy Assessor of the city in which position he gave efficient service for eight years. In 1883 he purchased a half interest in the long-established business of Craig & Company, undertakers, located at 22 Mint avenue, and in this business he has been very successful. Mr. Craig, the senior member of the firm of Craig & Company, died after Mr. Cochran became connected with the company. The business is second in this line, in the point of time, established in San Francisco. Mr. Cochran became a member of the I. O. O. F. in 1850; he has passed all the chairs in the order, and has held offices in Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the order of Foresters and St. Andrews Benevolent Society. When a proposition was made to organize the Territorial Pioneers’ Association, he took an active part in the movement and became one of the original founders of this institution, and has since been connected with it.

Mr. Cochran is widely and favorably known, and is held in sincere regard on account of his many excellent qualities of mind and heart.

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker.

Source: “The Bay of San Francisco,” Vol. 2, Pages 656-657, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.

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