Colonel David L. Cockley: A Life of Service, Enterprise, and Legacy
Early Life and Family Tragedy
David L. Cockley was born 8 June 1843 into a family marked early by loss. His father died when David was just six years old, a formative event that likely influenced his later drive and self-reliance. At the age of 16, in 1859, he was documented in the guardian papers as an apprentice—a common practice for orphans or minors assuming early adult responsibilities.
Civil War Service: Valor and Dedication
With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Cockley enlisted in the 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry for a three-month term, reporting for duty in Columbus. Returning to his home in Lexington, he spearheaded the recruitment of a cavalry unit, culminating in the formation of the 10th Ohio Cavalry on October 20, 1862, in Cleveland. Commissioned as a Lieutenant and later appointed aide-de-camp, Cockley’s service was distinguished by longevity and resilience. He was reputed to have been present at both the first and last engagements of the war and, remarkably, was never wounded or taken ill.
Among the notable battles in which he served were Jonesboro and Waynesboro, Georgia. Cockley was awarded the Medal Of Honor for or his bravery in action at Waynesboro, Georgia, in 1864. His citation reads, “While acting as aide-de-camp to a general officer, he 3 times asked permission to join his regiment in a proposed charge upon the enemy, and in response to the last request, having obtained such permission, joined his regiment and fought bravely at its head throughout the action.”After the war, Cockley maintained ties with former comrades, including General Smith D. Atkins, who visited him and another veteran in Shelby in 1880.
The Cattle Trade and Western Enterprise
After the war, Cockley turned his sights to the American West, engaging in the Texas cattle trade. Capitalizing on postwar beef shortages and northern demand, he helped drive longhorns north to Missouri railheads. Known for moving cattle slowly to keep them well-fed and calm, Cockley was financially successful in this endeavor, reflecting his keen business sense and discipline.
Marriage and Family Life
Cockley returned to Lexington and married Eunice Cockley, and the couple had several children. Their family life was not without sorrow. Their son, Clayton Palmer Cockley, died at just 10 years old in 1880. Another son, Willard A. Cockley, a flour broker, tragically died by suicide in New York City in 1924, leaving behind a cryptic telegram and a grieving family. Willard had been estranged from his hometown, living in the East, survived by his wife, mother (then residing in California), a brother (Harry), and a sister (Fanny) in Oil City, Pennsylvania.
Industrialist and Entrepreneur
Cockley’s impact on Shelby, Ohio, was transformative. He entered manufacturing in 1867, establishing a harness pad and trimming factory, which he moved to Shelby in 1869. By 1876, he had diversified into the iron roofing business, even installing a roof on Shelby’s city hall.
In 1879, he co-founded a hardware store with Dick & Cockley, erecting a commercial block that quickly became a centerpiece of Shelby’s business district. Cockley stocked the largest inventory of hardware and agricultural implements in the county. By 1882, the store passed to successors, signaling his move to larger ventures.
The Shelby Milling Company and Seamless Steel Tubes
From 1881 to 1891, Cockley operated the Shelby Milling Company, at a time when it was Shelby’s sole major industry. His ambition culminated in the founding of the Shelby Steel Tube Company in 1890, where he served as president until 1897. Under his leadership, the company expanded from a ¼-acre site with 17 workers to an 8-acre complex employing 500 craftsmen—an extraordinary feat of industrial scaling in the Gilded Age.
Bicycles, Banking, and Umbrella Ribs
Cockley also dabbled in bicycle manufacturing and, in 1892, started a bicycle factory later sold to the city and then purchased by Gormully & Jeffery of Chicago. By 1897, he co-founded the Rib Manufacturing Company, producing umbrella frames in Shelby. Although the venture struggled financially, it employed dozens and represented another facet of Cockley’s commitment to local industrial growth. The plant was eventually sold in 1901 for $77,000.
Public Service and Politics
A lifelong Republican, Cockley served on the Shelby town council in the 1870s, was a delegate to county conventions, and held multiple civic roles. In 1895, he was appointed Colonel and aide-de-camp by Ohio Governor Asa S. Bushnell. His political aspirations included a 1901 bid for the Ohio State Senate, though he narrowly lost the nomination after 63 ballots at the convention.
Cockley was an active trustee of the State Hospital in Toledo, served on the Board of Education, and helped organize the Shelby Board of Trade and Board of Industry. He championed local progress, including utilities, transportation, and telephone infrastructure. In 1901, he played a pivotal role in plans for a new Masonic Temple, even offering a personal loan of $15,000 toward its construction.
Legacy and Death
Colonel David L. Cockley died suddenly on December 26, 1901, collapsing while bidding farewell to guests at his home. His funeral, held on January 3, 1902, was a massive civic event. All Shelby businesses closed in his honor. Thousands, including two railroad cars of mourners from Mansfield and 500 employees from his enterprises, marched in procession. The Central School bell tolled as the funeral band played dirges, and the Knights Templar and Elks honored him with solemn rites.
His will, drafted in 1900, bequeathed substantial assets to his wife Eunice, sons Willard and Harry, and daughter Fanny. It also included a $300 legacy to Anderson Thompson, a Black man who had served as Cockley’s valet during the Civil War. A grand mausoleum was completed in Shelby in 1902 to house his remains—a symbol of the high esteem in which he was held.