US Congressman. Born near Warrensburg, Johnson County, Missouri, he attended Missouri's Chapel Hill College until going to California for the Gold Rush in 1849. Cockrell returned to Missouri in 1853, farmed, studied law, and took part in partisan activities against anti-slavery advocates, including destruction of the newspaper office in Parkville. He joined the Confederate Army's Company A, 16th Missouri Infantry for the Civil War, served until 1865 and attained the rank of Colonel. He then settled in Sherman, Texas, where he practiced law, served as Grayson County's Chief Judge, and was a Delegate to the 1878 and 1880 state Democratic conventions. Cockrell later moved to Jones County, and served as District Judge from 1885 until 1893, when he resigned to enter Congress. In 1892 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democrat, serving two terms, 1893 to 1897. He did not run for reelection in 1896, and returned to Texas, where he farmed, bred cattle and practiced law until his death in Abilene. He was the brother of US Senator Francis Marion Cockrell.

US Congressman. Born near Warrensburg, Johnson County, Missouri, he attended Missouri's Chapel Hill College until going to California for the Gold Rush in 1849. Cockrell returned to Missouri in 1853, farmed, studied law, and took part in partisan activities against anti-slavery advocates, including destruction of the newspaper office in Parkville. He joined the Confederate Army's Company A, 16th Missouri Infantry for the Civil War, served until 1865 and attained the rank of Colonel. He then settled in Sherman, Texas, where he practiced law, served as Grayson County's Chief Judge, and was a Delegate to the 1878 and 1880 state Democratic conventions. Cockrell later moved to Jones County, and served as District Judge from 1885 until 1893, when he resigned to enter Congress. In 1892 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democrat, serving two terms, 1893 to 1897. He did not run for reelection in 1896, and returned to Texas, where he farmed, bred cattle and practiced law until his death in Abilene. He was the brother of US Senator Francis Marion Cockrell.

Bio by: Bill McKern