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THE JAMES ALLEN COCHRAN FAMILY

Grace Rannells Cochran and James Allen Cochran

James Allen Cochran was born 31 May 1843 in Richfield, Clay County, MO, the son of Hugh and Mariah (Stockton) Cochran, both born in Ohio. The family later moved to Caldwell County, MO, where the father died in 1857. James A. enlisted in the 1st Company of Home Guards of Caldwell County at Mirabile, 18 June 1861 and was discharged at the same place 12 Oct. 1861. He came to the St. Vrain valley in Boulder County by ox team 10 May 1864.

On 21 July 1864, James A. Cochran and Grace Maria Rannells were married at Valmont, Colorado by Rev. Charles M. Campbell. Grace Maria was born 29 Sept 1845 at Athens, Athens County, OH, the daughter of Samuel F. and Sarah (Bay) Rannells, another Boulder County pioneer family.

After their marriage James A. and Grace M. Cochran lived near Valmont until 1865 when they moved to Missouri, settling near Cameron In Caldwell County. In 1868 they came back to Colorado and by 1869 were settled on a farm southwest of Longmont in the Pella neighborhood. Mr. Cochran homesteaded land In the same area 20 May 1875 and purchased 80 acres from John A. Ellet, 16 Mar 1878.

In addition to running his farm, Mr. Cochran worked on the road being constructed to Estes Park. In 1891, he and his wife took over the management of the Hygiene Sanitorium which was built In 1882 as a resort for easterners suffering with tuberculosis who sought the high, dry climate of Colorado for their health. The Sanitorium was an impressive structure of three stories with 35 rooms and a glassed-in sun deck, It was located just north of the present Hygiene school and was razed in 1926.

Mr. and Mrs. Cochran were Interested in the early schools, were active in civic and cultural affairs and gave generously of their time and resources In the development of the community, The Cochran and Rannells families were charter members and helped organize the Upper St. Vrain Presbyterian Church at Pella, 24 October 1869, Samuel F. Rannells the first ordained elder, (Mr. Rannells was also a charter member of the Valmont Presby Church.) The First Presbyterian Church of Longmont was organized In 1871. The 15 March 1872 it merged with the St. Vrain Church to become the Central Presbyterian Church of Longmont, among the charter members were: Mr. S.F. Rannells, Mrs. Sarah Rannells, Mr. J.A. Cochran and Mrs. Grace Cochran. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran taught classes in the Sunday School for many years. The Centennial committee paid tribute to these families for their out-standing service to the church In the booklet published in 1969, commemorating the I00th anniversary of the founding of the church.

Mr. Cochran sold his farm in April 1910, which he had continued to operate while residing In Hygiene, and he and Mrs. Cochran re- tired to Longmont where he had purchased a home on Emery Street. He was a member of the McPherson Post G.A.R. in Longmont and was Junior Vice Commander at the time of his death. James A. Cochran died 24 March 1924 In San Diego, California where they had gone to spend the winter months. Mrs. Grace M. Cochran died 23 December 1933 in Longmont, Colorado. Both are buried in the Mt View Cem. In Longmont. Their children:

Information compiled by Wanda Burch Armstead
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