William Alexander Cocke

Biographical Information top

Biographical Sketches

• Biographical sketch of the Cocke family. 4th col., "My grandfather, Frederick Bird Cocke was the first of our name to enter Texas (and that on horseback) in 1852 . . . During the Civil War, five of their sons, including my father, William G. Cocke, served in the Confederacy; one of them, James, was a lieutenant (and during the nineties was a member of the Texas Legislature). Two of them, Jack and Fred, became captains; and still later lawyers in San Antonio . . . After his retirement to Hays County, Fred also served in the Texas Legislature."
  Relatives: Frederick Bird Smith Cocke - father; James Cocke and Fred Cocke - sons.
  James Cocke and Fred Cocke - uncles, William A. Cocke - nephew.
  Frederick Bird Smith Cocke - grandfather, William A. Cocke - grandson.
  "Centennial Information . . . Early Settlers: Some recollections concerning the Ridley and Cocke Families, pioneer Kerr County settlers," by William A. Cocke, 3/15/1956, p. 11. Kerrville Mountain Sun.
• William A. Cocke biographical sketch and family information, "in 1906 I was elected to the Texas Legislature. I led the anti-Bailey fight in the House. . .," marriage to Miss Brownie Rees in September 1895 at Center Point, seven children: Ione, Pensive, Ferances, Naomi, Wee Brownie, Mildred Elaine, and Lieutenant William A. Cocke, Jr.
  "Centennial Information . . . Early Settlers: Some recollections concerning the Ridley and Cocke Families, pioneer Kerr County settlers," by William A. Cocke, 3/15/1956, pp. 3-4. Kerrville Mountain Sun.
• Biographical sketch of William A. Cocke, father William Gabriel "Gabe" Cocke, and grandfather Frederick Bird Smith Cocke. "Cockrells Keep Returning to Kerr, Where Ancestors Pioneered," by Irene Van Winkle, summarizes reminiscences of William A. Cocke (1875-1959) in the Kerrville Mountain Sun, 3/15/1956. West Kerr Current.

Other Resources

• William A. Cocke, birth date 9/24/1873 in Corpus Christi, Texas; death date 10/2/1959 in Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas; retired attorney, mother Vanilla Ragsdale, spouse Eva C. Cocke. Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969. Ancestry.com.
• Death notice, 10/4/1959, p. 14. William A. Cocke, "retired attorney and former member of the Texas state legislature," died in Hot Springs, Arkansas. El Paso Times.
• William A. Cocke, birth date 9/24/1873, death date 10/2/1959, burial in Greenwood Cemetery, Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas. Find a Grave.
• William A. Cocke, "Bill Seeks to Reveal Secrets of Senators: Cocke Introduces Measure to Require Full Sworn Statement of All Their Revenue," The Daily Express (San Antonio, Texas), 3/2/1907, p. 1, col. 1-2, crediting the Abilene Library Consortium. Portal to Texas History (University of North Texas Libraries).
• Relatives: James Rogers Cocke, birth date 3/28/1838 in Grainger County, Tennessee, death date 1/27/1919 in Gonzales County, Texas, son of Frederick Bird Smith Cocke.
  Frederick Bird Smith Cocke, Jr., birth date 11/17/1839 in Grainger County, Tennessee, death date 9/7/1912 in Hays County, Texas, son of Frederick Bird Smith Cocke.
  William Alexander Cocke, born 9/24/1874 in Nueces County, Texas, died in Arkansas, son of William Gabriel Cocke (1842-1935), grandson of Frederick Bird Smith Cocke (1913-1903).
  Message board posting, Descendants of Frederick Bird Smith Cocke. RootsWeb.com Internet genealogical service.
• 30th Legislature (1907) - Wm. Cocke, postoffice San Antonio, nativity Texas, age 32 (born circa 1875), lawyer, Democrat. Texas Legislative Manual.

Photographs

• Photograph. W.A. Cocke, 30th Legislature, State Preservation Board

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

• 30th session composite photo of House members (House chamber gallery, east wall. 3W.2). State Preservation Board.

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