Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/318

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FRANCIS MARION COCKRELL

World's Fair in St. Louis in 1903, by which $5,000,000 was appropriated for the purpose and the item placed on the Civil Service bill. His recommendation of any measure proposed in the senate gave the measure immediate weight, as he had won a name for himself as never advocating any questionable act, or one for which he would not personally vouch. As "the father of the Senate," he was beloved by his party, and was regarded as the true exponent of his constituents will and temper. He was married July 21, 1853, to Arthusa D. Stapp, and three children were born of the marriage, of whom one was living in 1905. Mrs. Cockrell died in December, 1859, and he was married a second time, April 5, 1866, to Anna E. Mann of Kentucky, who died in 1872. He was married a third time, July 24, 1873, to Anna, daughter of Judge Ephraim B. and Elizabeth Ewing of Missouri and seven children were born of this marriage, all living in 1905. Senator Cockrell early in life became a member and an elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His choice of a profession Avas determined by personal preference, and his aim in life was "to strive to do his whole duty in whatever position placed." His ambition from boyhood was to secure an education and to qualify himself for an honorable and successful career in life; and at the age of seventy he said he had no unsatisfied ambitions and that he had tried to lead an exemplary life. To young Americans he says: "Strive to secure a liberal education; choose an honorable profession or avocation; diligently devote your talent to attaining success and usefulness in life, remembering always that honesty is the best policy; and adhere to the wisdom, justice and expediency of always doing right."