Cochran Brothers
Cigar Manufactuers
One of the Most Prominent and Important Industrial Concerns of the Muskingum Valley
In the early days of Morgan County, tobacco was recognized as one of the staples, and as the crop always commanded a good price on the market there was an incentive to the proprietor of the farm in the woods with its new log cabin to clear an additional patch for tobacco.
In 1837, the pioneer tobacconist, Lourey Cochran, came from Zanesville and located at the corner of Center and Poplar streets, where he manufactured cigars and other varieties. He was joined in business, a few years later, by a younger brother, H. M. Cochran, who is at this time the veteran of the street, and although he is in his 84th year, is still hale and hearty and may be found at his desk every day. By close attention and honesty of purpose, this business commanded the confidence of the community and their efforts were rewarded by a prosperous business. Lourey Cochran died, from cholera at Marietta, in 1850, and the business was continued by H. M. Cochran.
In 1854 the increased business demanded larger quarters and the present location, a two story brick building occupying the entire block at the corner of Center and Vine Streets was purchased. The building was remodeled and with the modern improvements in presses and other machinery, a more extensive business was done and the product up to 1862 reached an aggregate of 500,000 pounds per annum. At this time the government tax was imposed and Mr. Cochran paid in the six following years $125,000 taxes on the amount manufactured. He then sold an interest in the business which was continued as the Cochran Tobacco Company till 1878, when again Mr. Cochran became the sole owner and up to 1883 the annual product of plug tobacco averaged 600,000 pounds.
At this time Mr. Cochran became interested in a concern at Zanesville which he managed for several years, afterward becoming associated with a Rochester (N. Y.) company in the manufacture of plug tobacco and in 1892 returned to McConnelsville, where he again remodeled the plant at the corner of Center and Vine streets and resumed the manufacture of cigars under the original name of the founders, Cochran Brothers.
Associated with him in this enterprise is his son, F. W. Cochran, who takes an active part in the management of the business, which employs from forty to fifty people at liberal wages, making this one of the backbones of the town, and by far its oldest industrial enterprise, having been in continual operation since 1838, with the exception of a short period from 1885 to 1892, to the present time.
In 1908 the total product represented 3,095,000 cigars, upon which the government tax was approximately $10,000. In 1909 the total output will reach four million cigars. Astrictly high grade product is turned out, which is in demand by the jobbing trade, and this plant runs to its full capacity every week day in the year.
Much of the business management is in the hands of F. W. Cochran, one of the town’s best young men, prominent in social and business circles and identified with its best interests.
The name of H. M. Cochran is indelibly engraved upon the pages of history of McConnelsville, where for a long period he has been actively associated with its business interests and along all lines of progress he has borne his part. He is honored and respected by all who know him by reason of his general worth of character and value as a citizen.
Herald Souvenir, Morgan County, Ohio, October 1909