Olive Branch Lodge No. 38

Among those who served as Master of the lodge in the first decade of the 20^th Century we find George E. Cockerton.   We share this biographical sketch published in The Past and Present of Vermilion County, Illinois, published by the S.J. Clarke Publishing Company in 1903.  

GEORGE E. COCKERTON

Among the "captains of industry" in Danville may be numbered George E. Cockerton,  a self-made man, who at the outset of his business career realized that there is no excellence without labor and whose efforts therein have been exercised consecutively  in an endeavor to acquire a handsome competence. In this he has succeeded and at the same time he has won honor and respect which is accorded to those whose business careers will bear close investigation and scrutiny. As a boy in 1864 Mr. Cockerton came to Danville with his parents, John C. and Hannah (Pate) Cockerton, who are yet residents of this city.  The family is of English lineage and representatives of the name came from England to America, locating first in Chicago, Illinois,

afterward in Elgin and subsequently in this city. Both the father and mother of our subject were born in England and the year of their emigration to America was 1849. The father was engaged in finishing woolen goods. In the family were three children, but one brother, Frank, died in

Danville at the age of forty-seven years.  The sister, Mrs. Edgar C. Dodge, now in Chicago, was a teacher in the schools of Danville prior to her marriage. 

George E. Cockerton completed his education in the high school of Danville under the direction of Professor Spellman, leaving that institution at the age of seventeen years.  From the age of fourteen he has been connected almost continuously with the printing business.  He first entered the office of the Danville Plaindealer, owned by the firm of Clapp & Evans.  Subsequently he entered the office of the Danville Times, owned by A. G. Smith and closely applying himself to his work, he became one of the best printers in this portion of the country, being made manager of a plant. A weekly paper was published and a large jobbing business carried on, Mr. Cockerton having supervision of the mechanical department and business management of the Enterprise between the ages of eighteen and twentv-one years. On attaining his majority he went to the east where he remained for four years and there further acquainted himself with the line of work which he had chosen for a life occupation.  For several years he was also employed in Indianapolis and when the financial panic of 1877 involved the country he came to Danville in response to an offer which was made him to take charge of the Times.  He occupied that position for two years, managing the jobbing department.  In 1879 he formed a partnership with F. E. Bowman, in the establishment of a job and printing office on a small scale.  Immediate failure was predicted for the new firm by all, but in face of these dire predictions they have succeeded, their strong resolution, enterprise and good workmanship enabling them to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in their path.  At the expiration of three years their business was sold at a good advance. Later Mr. Cockerton established a job office alone and conducted it for four years.  On the expiration of that period the Press Company was formed, Mr. Cockerton becoming business manager and in that position he remained for two years.  In 1889 he established an exclusive job and book business, and in January 1901, he admitted his son to a partnership in the business. The new enterprise prospered from the beginning. The public had already become familiar with his good workmanship and comprehensive knowledge of the printing business in all its departments and it was not long before he had secured a liberal patronage.  In 1898 he added a book binding plant and also began manufacturing rubber stamps. The book binding and stamp manufacturing departments are now under the direct management of Herbert E. Cockerton, the junior member of the firm, and this branch of his business has had phenomenal growth.  The plant is valued at ten thousand dollars and the value is constantly being increased by the addition of new machinery and equipments calculated to promote the effectiveness of the work and advance the practical utility of the business. 

In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cockerton and Miss Lillian E. Jack, of Indianapolis. She was born in Centerville, Indiana, a daughter of Matbew W. and Ann (Sackett ) Jack.  Both parents are now deceased. In their family were ten children, of whom Mrs. Cockerton was the youngest. Thomas Carroll, of Carrollton, Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was an uncle of her father. Mr. Jack died in Chicago at the age of ninety-one years.  He was a tailor by trade and in later years carried on merchandising. He held membership in the Tippecanoe Club of Chicago and was quite prominent in public affairs there. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cockerton has been born one son, Herbert E.  He was married in November. 1901, to Miss Lola G. Young, who was bom in Danville in February, 1880, a daughter of C. M.

Young, one of the well known residents of this city and general agent for the Home Sewing Machine Company for Indiana and Illinois. Mr. Cockerton owns a residence at No. 310 Oak street, valued at five thousand dollars, and has a suburban fruit ranch at the northeast comer of the city covering two acres and planted to small fruit. His father lives at that place. The son owns

property at No. 710 Gilbert street.  Mr. Cockerton is a member of Olive Branch Lodge No. 38. A. F. & A. M. ; Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M.: Danville Council, No. 83. R. & S. M. : and Athelstan Commandery, No. 45. K. T.  Of the last named he is past eminent commander and is past chancellor of Damascus Lodge, No. 84, K. P..  He likewise belongs to the Benevolent

and Protective Order of Elks and to Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, Improved Order of Redmen. He holds membership relations with the Cycling Club and has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since its organization. His name is also on the membership roll of Danville Council, No. 160, of the National Union. In his life historv are many evidences of excellent business abilitv.  His prosperity cannot be attributed to a combination of lucky circumstances, but has arisen from energy, enterprise, integrity, and intellectual effort well directed. He is a man of strong individuality and indubitable probity and one whose influence has ever been exerted in behalf of measures contributing to the general good.