William A. Cochran

William A. Cochran, born Oct l843, NY, died 25 Aug 1920, Ocean City now Flagler Beach, Flagler CO, FL buried Hope, now Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, Cemetery, Flagler CO, FL, married Annie Elizabeth Eagerton, dau of Charles Samuel Eagerton and Loretta Frances Parker, born 07 Dec 1861, SC, died 05 Sep 1941, St Stephens, Berkeley CO, SC, buried St Stephens, Berkeley CO, SC.

He was a Union soldier in the Civil War, serving as a Private in Company L, 56th NY Infantry Regiment.

From the Bunnell Home Builder several references were made to his visiting Bunnell in the 1912's. He is said to have homesteaded one mile of ocean frontage in what would be the northern area of present Flagler Beach. James Bruner and his family were living in the household with Mr and Mrs William Cochran in the census. Later the Bruner family built a fishing pier in this area.

He and Annie are found on page 15 of the 1920 census. The Flagler Tribune of
Thursday, October 9, 1924 carried the following story on the cemetery where William was first buried:

The plot of ground on which stood the first cemetery at Flagler Beach was sold last week to Harry Sessions. The property comprises an acre of the old Cochran addition and the first interment was the remains of William Cochran on whose homestead it was situated. But very few graves have marked the spot, and these were moved to Hope Cemetery the first of the week.

Mr Sessions, the present owner, will cut the ground into building lots, which being situated on a high ridge will overlook the Atlantic on the east and Silver Lake on the west with Central avenue as an eastern boundary.

Annie Eagerton Cochran married 2nd, Charles Holmes

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cited as her sources, Census and Published Articles.

Additional sources used by the compiler were: South Carolina Death Index, 1915-1949 Record and The Flagler Tribune, 09 Oct 1924.

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com