As published in "The History of Racine and Kenosha Counties" (Chicago: 1879), pages 658-664

Page 688-690

HARRY ELMER COCROFT. The gentleman to whom the reader's attention is now directed was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of these, by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life, and is well and favorably known throughout Walworth county as a result of the industrious life he has lived here for many years, being regarded by all who know him as a man of sound business principles, thoroughly up-to-date in all phases of agriculture and stock raising and as a man who, while advancing his individual interests, does not neglect his general duties as a citizen.

Harry Elmer COCROFT was born in Rochester, Racine county, Wisconsin, on March 7, 1867, the son of Joseph E. and Ann (WOODHEAD) COCROFT, an excellent old family, long influential in the affairs of southeastern Wisconsin, a complete sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work.

Harry E. COCROFT, the present efficient superintendent of the famous Ceylon Court farm near the city of Lake Geneva, has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits with marked success, having received excellent training on the home farm, where he grew to manhood, assisting with the general work during the crop seasons, and in the winter time he attended the neighboring schools. When twenty-one years old he left home and went to North Dakota where he spent two years in charge of a big farm. He then accepted a position with the American Express Company at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and was with this company until 1901, becoming one of their most faithful and trusted employees. In that year J. J. MITCHELL, well known Chicago capitalist and horse man, began developing Ceylon Court farm near the shores of Lake Geneva, and Mr. COCROFT was employed by him. After three months in a subordinate position, he was put in charge of the farm and directed the improvements, also bought all the live stock for the place, Mr. MITCHELL having trusted everything almost entirely to his judgment. He has also had the hiring of the men who work on the farm, and has a large force under his direction. He drew up the plan and specifications for the buildings (described elsewhere), which are regarded by all who see them as models of their kind, and they were built under his supervision. And he is still working on plans for future improvements.

Although Mr. COCROFT was compelled to leave school when only eleven years old and take up the work of a man, which he has continued ever since, he has found time to do a great deal of home study and is therefore a self-educated man in the most liberal terms, being familiar with various branches of literature, science and art, familiarizing himself especially with all phases of agricultural, horticultural, stock raining, landscape gardening, and architecture, and after his daily work he has often studied late into the night - in fact, has ever been a profound student.

Mr. COCROFT was married in 1891 to Catherine MOON, of Lake Geneva, the daughter of William and Margaret (FOSTER) MOON, a highly respected family of this community. To the subject and wife two sons and one daughter were born, namely: Lloyd Everett, Glen Earl and Marguerite. The wife and mother passed to her rest in 1901, and in 1904 Mr. COCROFT was united in marriage with Clara GRINIGER, of Lake Geneva, daughter of John and Mary (GIESIE) GRINIGER, an excellent German family, the parents both natives of the empire, having emigrated to Lake Geneva in early life, first living, however, near Vienna, Wisconsin, where their daughter, Clara, was born.

Mr. COCROFT is a quiet, practical man, obliging and thoroughly enamored of his work, consequently does it exceptionally well and he can claim a wide circle of friends throughout this locality.