J. T. COCHRAN, proprietor of the Crittenden Hotel, Marion, is a native of Livingstone County, and a son of Robert and Sarah (Terry) Cochran. Mr. Cochran's ancestors were from North Carolina; his paternal grandfather, Robert Cochran, Sr., dying in that State many years ago. Robert Cochran, Jr., was born in North Carolina. He came to Kentucky in his early manhood and settled near Salem, Livingston County, where he lived for sixty years. Subject's mother, Sarah Cochran, was born in North Carolina; she came to Kentucky, when quite young, with her father, Thomas Terry, and died in Livingston County about 1868, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran had one child, J. T., but by previous marriages, the father had other children, two of whom are living, Allen and Henry Cochran. J. T. Cochran was born August 14, 1834. He commenced life for himself as a farmer, and purchased land near Smithland, on which he lived for fifteen years. He disposed of his farm in 1871, and, moving to Smithland, engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued until 1877, when he lost all his possessions by fire. He next engaged in carpentering and blacksmithing, at which trades he worked two years, and then moved to the country, and farmed until 1880. In the latter year he moved to Crittenden Springs, Crittenden County, and engaged in the hotel business at that resort; he ran the hotel for three years when he again lost all his property by fire. He moved to Marion in the fall of 1883, and took charge of the Crittenden House, of which he is still the proprietor. Mr. Cochran was married in February, 1857, to Sarah Ross, daughter of James and Becky Ross of Livingston County. To this marriage were born two children, Mary and Sarah (wife of Andrew Dunlapp). Mrs. Cochran died January 3, 1860, and September 19, 1860, Mr. Cochran married Nannie Moxley, a daughter of Dr. S. D. and Nannie Moxley, of Franklin County, Ky. The following children were born to the second marriage: Thomas H., Dora, Anna, George, John, William, Hely and Babb (deceased). Mr. Cochran is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Democrat in politics. He and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 723.