John Cochrane

John Cochrane (August 27, 1813 – February 7, 1898) was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician from New York. He was a U.S. Representative, Attorney General of New York, and a Union Army general. Early life John Cochrane was born in Palatine, New York on August 27, 1813, the grandson of John Cochran, Surgeon General of the Continental Army. He studied first at Union College, but then graduated from Hamilton College in 1831. While attending Union College, he became a member of the Sigma Phi Society. Afterwards he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1834, practiced in Oswego and Schenectady, and then moved to New York City. Career In 1852, he campaigned for Franklin Pierce who appointed him Surveyor of the Port of New York in 1853. U.S. Representative In 1856, he was elected U.S. Representative from New York's District as a Democrat, and re-elected in 1858, serving in the 35th Congress and 36th Congress, from 1857 to 1861. In Congress he took a prominent part in debates on land reform, revenue, and other public questions. He was defeated for re-election in 1860.