Hello Gordon, thank you for responding to my query on Cochran. I'm not sure either what is really the correct spelling of the surname. Our Coughrans (in Texas) spelled it this way, however, I have also heard it was spelled Caughron (a and o inverted)? Both William A. (the father) and William W. (the son) were in the Civil War. The father being on the Union side, the son on the Confederate. Later they both moved to Texas and established a large ranch in Anatosca County. Some of William A.'s family (I think brothers) moved on out to California and establish ranches out there. It seems like they have always been connected withthe cattle business. I'm not sure I will ever get to the bottom of this either, but will keep on trying. Should I, too, come across any information I will share it with you. My connection is through the son, William Wesley Coughran. Marji Morton