Myles House W. Main St.
Rochester N. Y. Sep. 15 1888
M.A. Cochran
San Diego Cal.
Dear Son,
Your favor of 4 inst came duly to hand. It seems that I did not apprehend the information you wanted. My Grandfather James Cochran, came from Ireland to the Country about 1777 or 78. Bought a farm near Georgetown Va. And raised quite a large family. My father John Lowry Cochran being the oldest. Grandfather James Cochran died about the year 1825 at the age of 78 [ITAL:] (originally 62, crossed out and 78 written above it)[:ITAL]. His only brother Hugh Cochran located at the same time in North Ireland. Do not now recollect the name of the town. He engaged in the manufacture of glassware. Was said to have acquired considerable wealth for those times. He did not come to the U.S.A. He had but one son Charles Cochran who as my father was informed went to sea and afterwards located at Charleston, South Carolina. This was the last information my father had. My Grandfather James Cochran and his brother Hugh were born in Scotland. Their parents moved to Ireland when they were quite young. My Grandmother Cochran’s maiden name was Lowry, her mother’s maiden name was Cambel. This is about all I know or can now remember as to my ancestry on the father’s side.
My Grandmother Bricker’s maiden name was Straw. Pennsylvania Dutch.
The Bozman family I think were on the Bozman side English. The Bradys I think Irish. So then you are a mixture of the long headed Scotch, the thick headed Dutch, the considerate English, and the impulsive Irish.
I think that toe a long time mending up and would advice you to give it ample time and proper attention and when you wear a shoe have it made large and roomy at the toes or it may give you further trouble whilst in the process of healing.
I am still with S. G. Noess (?) & Co., but do not have very much to do aside from seeing the work done and as there is but little doing in (?) and that mostly small work. They only make about 400# per day and as I now only attend to the casing and assaying and have two helpers I do not do any of the heavy work. Have been doing all the wrapper casing until recently, and as the black wrapper lately worked did not color black as they wanted it. Mr. Hess and the old foreman took it in hand and after experimenting several times concluded to dip them in a hot solution of licorice & sugar and use some kind of coloring water. I think they use Ex. Logwood & (?). They get them quite black and they come out of the molds & finisher all right, but I am apprehensive that sweetener used will cause the wrapper to stick and (?) off after they remain in the box for a time and coloring matter may cause them to mould, but they persist in using it also dipping the Burly Wrapper in a molasses or sugar syrup. In both cases they are passed through the ringer thrown in bulk and steamed before being worked. This is done in the other part of the factory and substanerly takes the wrapper casing out of my hands, and makes my work much lighter. I have about come to the conclusion they do not intend to (?) their facilities for plug work. They appear to be fearful if they do more work they cannot sell it and thus are afraid to make any special effort to sell plug for fear they cannot supply the demand – so they make (?) amount and when the sales fall off slightly they become alarmed and talk about stopping work. When the orders come in pretty lively for a few days they talk about fixing up for more work. And as I have no assurance of continuance of my service or place here only from month to month conclude that I will remain here only so long as they absolutely need me, or until they conclude they can manage the work with the cheap labour they have already employed as helpers. Frank is still here at 10$ per week. They are well pleased with his work and do not think they would take the risk to replace him so long as he has a mind to stay and attend to his work.
I have no doubt you get letters from home as frequently as I do, and it is not necessary to make any remarks as to that only from last accounts they were all well as usual.
The political campaign commenced here about first of this month. The clubs of both parties have been parading the streets. Tuesday eve this week there were 9 Republican clubs parading – from 50 to 75 in a company. Last eve the democratic clubs were out parading but did not get to see them as I kept my room having a (?) ankle to rest up and bathe the one I strained at home about 3 years since. I make a misstep occasionally and have a flame up for a few days. I called on an electrician to (?). Will consider a treatment [ITAL:](top line of lines of page weren’t scanned0[:ITAL]
Frequently and at times quite painful. The weather is becoming very cool hardly cold enough to wear an overcoat yet a great many have been wearing them since 1st of the month especially of evenings. The cold weather comes on more gradual than in Ohio and the freezing not so intense but more uniform. Seldom more than 5 below zero. I rather like this climate and think it more conclusive to good health than the Muskingum Valley.
Hugh’s last letter was a clincher as to the present status, and outlook for San Diego, so that I won’t say any more about the superficial (?) and inflated values of San Diego until I can have a little breathing spell.
Respectfully
H.M. Cochran
Transcribers note: Envelope stamped “Rochester N.Y. Sep 15 9PM 88” and addressed to “Mr. M. A. Cochran San Diego Cal.”