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Though the life of this
gentleman is not a record of grand achievements or stirring incidents, yet it
presents a pleasing picture of courage under misfortune, and ultimate success
by dint of perseverance. He was born in Bowlingreen, Kentucky, July, 1834. His
father, Larkin D. Cockrill, a native of South Carolina, is now living in Sonoma
County, California. During his early life, Missouri was a mere wilderness, and
his parents being very poor, he received by a limited education, beyond what he
contrived to teach himself by devoting his leisure moments to study. In 1853
the family set out across the plains for California. During the journey, which
occupied five months, young Theodore drove an ox team every day, and took his
regular turn at standing guard. At the age of nineteen he engaged in farming,
in Sonoma County, California. A little later in life he worked in a saw-mill,
and then on a milk-ranch. After this he traded in cattle, making five thousand
dollars the first season, and becoming a bankrupt second. Next he obtained a
situation in a dry goods store in Petaluma, where he saved a small sum, with
which he bought a farm, and again embarked in an agricultural life. Just as a
fine crop was about to be gathered he fell very ill, and in consequence
suffered another failure and disappointment. On recovering, he determined to
forever relinquish farming, and secured a clerkship in the town of Bloomfield,
where he soon after opened a news depot. Here he was very successful. Before
long he occupied a large store, and commenced purchasing real estate. In 1864
he removed to San Francisco, and on the twenty-second of October of the
following year he married Mary Francis, daughter of William Potter, of
Petaluma.
A. J. Bryant was then
of the firm of Bryant and Morrison, wholesale liquor merchants. Having decided
to dissolve this partnership, and appreciating Mr. Cockrill's business
qualities, Mr. Bryant invited him to join the new firm of A. J. Bryant &
Company. In 1868 Mr. Bryant disposed of his interest to Mr. C. L. Bradley, and
in 1872 the title of the house was again changed, and has since remained T. G.
Cockrill & Company.
In 1873 Mr. Cockrill
was unexpectedly solicited, by the leaders of the democracy, to accept a
nomination for chief of police. He neither expected to be elected, nor desired
the position, yet finally consented to allow the party to use his name. His
great popularity is shown by the fact that although the general republican
ticket was successful, he received a majority of over four thousand votes. He
served by one term, and considering his business more pleasant and reliable
than the cares of office, positively refused to be nominated for
re-election.
Mr. Cockrill enjoys
social intercourse, and is prominently connected with secret and other
societies. A free mason for twenty years, he is past master of his lodge, and
has been grand warden of the Grand Lodge of California. He is chairman of the
committee on charters of the Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of the State of
California, and has become a member of that lodge for fifteen years. He is also
eminent among the Odd Fellows, being a past grand of Apollo Lodge No. 123, and
past high priest of Unity Encampment No. 126, I. O. O. F. He belongs to the Red
Men, the Past Arch of Druids, the Order of the Eastern Star, the St. Andrews
Society, and other less noted associations.
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