Thom's Irish Who's Who/Cockran, William Bourke

COCKRAN, William Bourke, ex-Congressman; b. Co. Sligo, Feb. 28th, 1854 . son of Martin Cockran and Harriet Knight; Educ. in Ireland and France (LL.D. St. Francis Xavier College, 1887; Georgetown College, D.C., 1900 Manhattan Colege, 1902); came to U.S., 1871; taught in private academy; later principal of a public school in Westchester Co., N.Y.; admitted to bar 1876, soon becoming prominent in New York city politics; m. Nov. 5th, 1906, at New York, Anne, dau. of Henry Clay Ide; made noteworthy speeches at Dem. Nat. convs., 1884 and 1892, opposing nomination of Cleveland; Member 50th Congress (1887-9), and 52nd and 53rd Congresses (1891-5), as Democrat: in 1896 became advocate of the gold standard and campaigned for McKinley; on issue of anti-Imperialism returned to Dem. party, 1900, and campaigned for Bryan; elected to 58th Congress, Feb. 23rd, 1904, for unexpired term (1904-5) of George B. McClellan, resigned; re-elected to 59th and 60th Congresses (1905-9), 12th N.Y. Dist.; was not candidate for re-election, 1909; resumed law practice at New York. Res.: 100 Broadway, New York, N.Y.