In the early years tobacco was recognized as one of the staples of the county, and as the crop always commanded a fair price on the market there was an incentive to the proprietor of a farm in the woods and a new log cabin to clear an additional patch for tobacco.
Prior to 1838 the masticators of the weed were indebted for the article in plug form to other than home manufactories, and it is only within very recent years that Ohio tobacco has been manufactured into plug at all in this town.
In 1838 the pioneer tobacconist, Lowrey Cochran, came from Zanesville and located on half of lot 18, corner of Center and Poplar streets, where he manufactured cigars and other varieties. Here his unaided energy, honesty of purpose and close attention to business commanded the confidence of the community, and his efforts were rewarded by a prosperous increase of business, continuing until his death from cholera at Marietta in 1850.
The business was continued by his brother, H. M. Cochran, until 1854, when he purchased the entire interest and located the factory at the junction of Centre, Vine and Front Streets. The building was remodeled, and with the modern improvements in presses and other machinery was enabled to do a more extensive business, and the product in 1862 reached the aggregate of 150,000 pounds per annum. At that time the general government took an interest in the concern, and during the six years ending in 1868 Mr. Cochran paid $125,000 taxes on the amount manufactured. He then sold an interest in the business and it was continued under the firm name of ôCochran Tobacco Companyö until 1878. during this time the factory paid about $200,000 taxes to the general government. In 1878 Mr. Cochran again took the entire charge of the factory, and in 1883 manufactured on an average 200,000 pounds of plug tobacco. Recently he has removed his business to Zanesville.
The J. L. Cochran Company tobacco factory, commenced in 1879, in the large brick building east of the court house, with all the modern improvements in machinery and practical acquirements, and at the present manufactures in the aggregate about 175,000 pounds of plug tobacco.
History of Morgan County, Ohio by Robinson pp. 298-299