Dale M. Cochran
Dale M. Cochran | |
|---|---|
| 12th Iowa Secretary of Agriculture | |
| In office 1987 – January 15, 1999 | |
| Governor | Terry Branstad |
| Preceded by | Robert H. Lounsberry |
| Succeeded by | Patty Judge |
| Member of the Iowa House of Representatives | |
| In office 1965–1987 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Melvin Cochran November 20, 1928 Fort Dodge, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | August 27, 2018 (aged 89) West Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Rose Jeannene Hirsch (m. 1952) |
| Relations | John Forbes (son-in-law) Ashton Lambie (2nd cousin, 3x removed) |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Farmer |
Dale M. Cochran (November 20, 1928 – August 27, 2018) was an American politician from the state of Iowa.
Career
Dale Melvin Cochran was born at 820 N 15th St in Fort Dodge, Iowa on 20 November 1928.[1] His mother, Gladys Sophia Fibiker,[2] was born to Iowans of Czech ancestry.[3] Gladys' grandparents were born in Česká Třebová, Tisová, Sokoleč, and Nová Ves I respectively.[4][5][6][7][8][9]
Cochran attended Iowa State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, and is a former farmer. In June 1952, he married in Ankeny to Rose Jeannene Hirsch (1930-2021),[10] and has three children. His daughter, Cindy, married Rep. John Forbes.[11]
Cochran served as a Democrat in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1965 to 1987. He served district 62 from 1965 to 1973, district 45 from 1973 to 1983, and district 14 from 1983 to 1987. He was Minority Floor Leader from 1971 to 1974, Assistant Minority Leader from 1981 to 1982, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from 1983 to 1984, and Speaker of the House from 1975 to 1978.[12] From 1987 to 1998, he served as the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. He died in 2018 at the age of 89.[13] He was interred at North Lawn Cemetery.[14]
References
- ^ "Iowa, Births and Stillbirths, 1921-1947". FamilySearch. December 10, 1928.
- ^ "Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1944". FamilySearch. October 22, 1959.
- ^ "United States, Census, 1920". FamilySearch. April 14, 1920.
- ^ "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934". FamilySearch. March 19, 1889.
- ^ "Czech Republic, Church Books, 1552-1981". FamilySearch. March 26, 1839.
- ^ "Czech Republic, Church Books, 1552-1981". FamilySearch. November 13, 1843.
- ^ "Státní oblastní archiv v Praze". ebadatelna.soapraha.cz. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Státní oblastní archiv v Praze". ebadatelna.soapraha.cz. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Státní oblastní archiv v Praze". ebadatelna.soapraha.cz. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "R. Jeannene Cochran Obituary, Urbandale, Iowa". www.ilesfuneralhomes.com. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "Former Iowa Ag Secretary, House speaker Dale Cochran dies". Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "State Representative". legis.iowa.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
- ^ "Former Speaker of the State House and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Dale Cochran Dies". KCRG. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ "Dale M. Cochran Obituary, Urbandale, Iowa". www.ilesfuneralhomes.com. Retrieved January 8, 2026.