Luther G. Cockerill
Among the enterprising, progressive and successful farmers of Union township, Fayette county, Ohio, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. This family name is one which is associated with the earliest history of this county and the bearers of this name have ever been among the leading citizens of this locality. Mr. Cockerill resides on his farm of two hundred and ten acres of land, splendidly located on the Greenfield pike about three miles from Washington C. H. He also owns one hundred and sixty-one acres located just south of his home place and his entire possessions bear ready witness to his progressive agricultural method and his business ability.
Luther G. Cockerill first saw the light of day on November 20. 1873, in Perry township, this county, being the son of Jacob S. and Hannah (Limes) Cockerill. Jacob Cockerill was also a native of Perry township, born in 1839, the son of Thomas and Sylvitha (Cochran) Cockerill. Thomas was born in 1812 or 1813 and was one of the first white children born in the state of Ohio. Luther, the immediate subject of this sketch, was one of a family of ten children, being the fifth in the order of birth. The others are: Oney, who became the wife of John King; Settle, Mrs. Patton; Augusta, Mrs. Haines; Elmer, who resides on the family home place in Perry township; Walter; Fletcher, deceased; Laura, Mrs. Rodgers; Daisy, and Ernest, also a resident of Perry township.
Mr. Cockerill received his elementary education in the district schools near the home in Perry township, later taking a more advanced couse in the university at Ada, Ohio. From the time he was a small boy, and later on during vacation periods, he assisted the father in the work about the home farm and in this way early acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture. After finishing his schooling and desiring to start out in life for himself, he rented a tract of land from his father, which he tilled for two years. About that time he was married and for nine years after marriage he rented land from his father-in-law. Marion Parrott. His first purchase consisted of one hundred and forty-eight acres, which he so managed as to make it pay for itself in a remarkably short time. Mr. Cockerill has the reputation of being one of the best farmers of the community and in the conduct of his business he employs only such methods as have been approved by long usage or by experiments along scientific lines. He has attained a most gratifying degree of success, quite commensurate with the thought and energy he has brought to bear in his undertaking.
On November 12, 1899, Mr. Cockerill was united in marriage with IMaud McVey-Parrott, daughter of Irvin and Alsina (Zimmerman) McVey and legally adopted daughter of Marion and Hulda (Wright) Parrott. Her own parents were farmers of this county and the father saw active service during the Civil War, being a member of the Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They were the parents of ten children. Mrs. Cockerill being the youngest of the family. Ida, the eldest, is dead ; Ina is Mrs. Hyman DeBruin; Turner resides in Cincinnati, Ohio; Minnie is Mrs. Charles Shaw; May is deceased; William resides in St. Joseph, Missouri, as does also Grant; Frank has long been a resident of Iowa and Charles is located at Dallas, Texas. When Mrs. Cockerill was only one year old the mother of this large and growing family died and one year later the father passed into the great beyond. This left their large family entirely on their own resources, most of tlieni being of a helpless age, and in this way the children became scattered practically all over the country. Mrs. Cockerill, the baby of the family, found a place in the hearts and home of Marion Parrott and was reared as their own child.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cockerill have been born six children, Anna G., Ruth Irene, Jacob Marion, Irvin Perry, Charles Luther and Walter Herman, the oldest of whom and a little son, lrvin Perry, have been removed from the home by death. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cockerill are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are among those most actively interested in forwarding the work of that organization. Politically, Mr. Cockerill gives stanch support to the Republican party and he takes a deep and intelligent interest in all public questions, though not in any sense a seeker after public office. Mr. Cockerill can honestly claim all the honor accorded him for what he has accomplished, for he has won his own way and is now one of the substantial men of the community as a result of his close application to business and his persistency. He is well known throughout the county and has a host of warm friends, for his life has been honorable in every respect.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)