Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/774

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

his profession, pursuing it independently as he had done before his military service, until 1870, when he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law. Colonel John B. Bald- win, who had attained great eminence at the bar and with whom he continued in practice until Colonel Baldwin's death. Mr. Cochran continued to practice many years afterwards, always alone, and during his active professional life he enjoyed a full and remunerative practice, being so popular with his clientele that it was several years after ht announced his intention of retiring be- fore he could make his retirement an accom- j'lished fact. That he was a lawyer of un- usual ability and attainments was recog- nized by all who knew him, and especially by those in the profession who came into contact with him. Had he consented to fill jiublic positions, which he might have ac- quired by merely indicating his willingness t(- accept them, there were no limits to his possibilities in official life, but a seat in the general assembly of Virginia for one term was the only place he was ever prevailed upon to accept. Neither fame nor pub- licity attracted him, and other than his pro- fession his great passion was his home, where were blended the sweetest and truest influences that make for perfect happiness. His political affiliations were with the Dem- ocratic party, and his religious membership was in the Episcopal church. He was one of the organizers, and president, of the Franklin National Bank, of Washington, District of Columbia, and of the Planters' Bank, Incorporated, of Staunton, Virginia He was a member of the Metropolitan Club, of Washington, District of Columbia, and of the Beverly Club, of Staunton, Virginia. He married and had a son, Peyton Cochran.

George Goode Finch. George Goode Finch, secretary and treasurer of the American Cigar Company, of New York City, is a rep- resentative of several Virginia families, in- cluding the Goode and Boyd, and many other families. His ancestor, Adam Finch, came from England to Virginia about the middle of the eighteenth century, bringing with him distilling apparatus valued at ninety pounds. He received from George HI., King of England, a grant of land em- bracing nearly one-half of the present Char- lotte countv in \'irginia, and died there in

1798. He had sons, James, Thomas and Zachariah.

Zachariah Finch had sons, Zachariah, Langston, and one other, whose name can- not now be learned.

Zachariah (2) Finch, eldest son of Zach- ariah ( I ) Finch, resided near Wyliesburg, in Charlotte county, Virginia. He married Mary A. Bacon, daughter of Langston Bacon, and had children: Adam, mentioned below ; ^Villiam, Langston, Mary Allen, mar- ried W. H. Pettus.

Adam Finch, eldest child of Zachariah (2) and Mary A. (Bacon) Finch, was born June 23, 1800, in Charlotte county, Virginia, where he made his home, and died October 4. 1874. He married, December 24. 1824, Lucy Sampson Goode. born about 1800, died June 12, 1859, daughter of William and Mary (Tabb) Goode. They had children: Lang- ston Easley, mentioned below ; Richard Henry, born April 24, 1827; William Ed- ward, December 21, 1828; John Bacon, Oc- tober I, 1830: Thomas Zachariah, August 27, 1833: Adam Thomas, February 14, 1835; George Beverly, February 22, 1837; Tyree Goode, April 27, 1840, and an unnamed son, who died August 12, 1844.

Langston Easley Finch, eldest child of Adam and Lucy S. (Goode) Finch, was born October 28, 1825, in Charlotte county, Virginia, and resided in Mecklenburg coun- ty, Virginia. Early in life he was a farmer and merchant at Boydton, Virginia, produc- ing largely of wheat, corn and tobacco. He was a prominent citizen of the county and president of the Railroad of Virginia. He served in the commissary department of the Confederate army during the Civil war, and was active in promoting the interests of the Democratic party. He was a local preacher of the Methodist church, and gave much of his later years to the work of the church, removing to Durham, Virginia. He mar- ried (first) Martha Emily Boyd, daughter of Richard and Lucy A. (Goode) Boyd. He married (second) Tabitha Walker Boyd, a sister of his first wife. The Boyd family is of Scotch origin, and has been traced to Alexander Boyd, born 1747-48. in Scotland, who emigrated at an early age to Virginia, and served many years as a judge in Meck- lenburg county, dying while on the bench at Mecklenburg Court House, August 11, 1801. He was a director of business enter-