William Lynn Cochran

William Lynn Lewis Cochran
Mayor of the Town of Charlottesville
Electoral District	Elected at-large by popular vote
Term Start	May 26, 1870
Term End	September 22, 1875
Succeeded by	R. F. Harris
Biographical Information
Date of birth	May 1838
Place of birth	Charlottesville, Virginia
Spouse	Never married
Residence	Charlottesville, Virginia
Alma mater	University of Virginia
Profession	Lawyer

William Lynn Lewis Cochran (May 1838 – September 22, 1875) was a Charlottesville attorney and Reconstruction-era public official who served as mayor of the Town of Charlottesville from 1870 until his death in office in 1875.

Early life and education

Cochran was born in May 1838 in Charlottesville, Virginia, the fifth son of John Cochran (1793–1881) and Margaret Lynn Lewis Cochran (1808–1875). The Cochran family had moved from Staunton to Charlottesville in 1826.

He was educated in Albemarle County schools and attended the University of Virginia (1860–1861; 1865–1866), completing studies in both the academic and law departments. He briefly enrolled at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1864 but did not complete the term.

Civil War service

Cochran suffered in youth from a condition known in the nineteenth century as “white swelling,” which left him physically unfit for combat service. During the Civil War he entered the Confederate Quartermaster’s Department and was commissioned as a major in October 1861. Records indicate he resigned that December; later accounts suggest he served primarily in Southwest Virginia.

Legal and civic career

Following the war, Cochran resumed the practice of law in Charlottesville.

In the 1870 election, at age 32, he qualified for office and was elected mayor of the Town of Charlottesville on May 26, 1870. He served continuously until his death in office on September 22, 1875.

On September 28, 1875, the Town Council convened a special meeting and elected Council President R. F. Harris to complete the unexpired term.

Cochran was also an early member of the board of the Charlottesville and University Street Railway Company.

He was active in several fraternal organizations, including the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and the Monticello Guard.

Death

After an illness of approximately two weeks, Cochran died on September 22, 1875, at the age of 37. He was buried in Maplewood Cemetery. The Town Council subsequently passed resolutions of respect and mourning in recognition of his service.

References

Brief sketches of the Albemarle Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (1920) by Mrs. John M. Preston (aka Mary Lewis Cochran Preston)

Major William Lynn Cochran was born in May, 1838. He was the fifth son of John Cochran (1793-1881) and Margaret Lynn Lewis (1808-1875), his wife. The Cochran family moved from Staunton to Charlottesville in 1826. "Willie" Lynn attended school in Brownsburg and was educated in the schools of Albemarle and at the University of Virginia. Craven graduating at the University in both the Academic and Law Departments. Military Record: Lame from childhood. Appointed 18 October 1861 to Capt, Quartermaster Department. Unofficial source says he served with Brig Gen J.B. Floyd. Resigned 12 December 1861. No further record found. Post War Career: Lawyer, Public Official. Mayor of Charlottesville, VA 1869-1875. He was a Mason, Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias. Brother of Cochran, HP (VMI Class of 1864 MS).[2] In early youth he was afflicted with "white swelling," which left one leg very much shorter than the other, rendering him unfit for military duty. Being determined to take part in the Confederate service, he entered the Quatermaster's Department, and was commissioned Major. He served during the entire war, being stationed principally in Southwest Virginia with quarters near Dublin. He was also an initial member of the board of the Charlottesville and University Street Railway Company. [3] After the war he settled down to the practice of law in Charlottesville. In 1870 election, he qualified for office and was elected mayor of the town - a position he held until his death on September 22nd, 1875. He was an active member of the order of Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and of the Monticello Guard. He never married. After an illness of two weeks, William Lynn Cochran died on September 22, 1875 at the age of 37. He is buried at Maplewood Cemetery.