from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)--pages 516-518
For thousands of years, since the earliest days of civilization, the work of the carpenter has been a necessity among men and has been honored by numbering among its ranks some of the brightest light of history. Since the multitudes of mankind have forsaken tents of skin and huts of clay and have sought for their shelter houses built of wood, the carpenter has plied his trade, advancing and perfecting the details of building as the centuries have passed, until the primitive houses of our ancestors have given place to the present type of building, and our homes, stores and public buildings are marvels of convenience and luxury. Many new inventions in machinery and tools have come to facilitate the work in recent years, and yet, in many of the essentials, the fundamental principles of carpentry have not changed since the days when the Lowly Nazarene stood at his bench in Nazareth, and dignified for all time the profession of carpentry. Today the builder finds his opportunities unlimited, and his profession numbers among its thousands many men of education, ability and wealth.
In our midst we have one member of this profession who is well known and holds an enviable position in the community, Ora Cockerell, the son of a carpenter, was bred to the use of tools. He was born December 8, 1872, in Middle Township, Hendricks County, the son of Andrew Jackson and Mary Jane (Griffith) Cockerell.
Andrew Jackson Cockerell was a native of Carroll County, Kentucky, but emigrated to Hendricks County in 1856, making the journey along and taking up his abode in Middle Township. Here he followed the carpenter's trade, building some of the stanch, heavily-timbered houses which still stand as evidence of the thorough workmanship done upon them. Later he learned to be a wagon-maker, but devoted comparatively little time to this work. He was married to Mary Jane Griffith, a native of Hendricks County, who proved a devoted wife and mother. To them were born nine children, as follows: Benjamin Thomas, who died in 1902; Henry Marshall, James Wesley, Willis Elmer, Eva Jane (Pounds), Rosa (Hicks), Ora, the immediate subject of this article, Nettie Marie, who died in January, 1887, and Alice (Davis). In the year 1887 death deprived Andrew J. Cockerell of the companionship of his faithful wife, leaving him a large family of children to rear without her aid and encouragement. He proved himself a kind, patient father, teaching by example as well as precept, and instilling the principles of temperance, sobriety and industry into his boys. He was a member of no church and took no active part in politics, although a consistent adherent of the Democratic party, finding his association and limiting his outside activities to the local lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he was a member, and to the various social affairs of the neighborhood. He died in 1906, leaving a large, respected family to perpetuate his name and teachings, and many friends who revere his memory.
Ora Cockerell spent his boyhood days in Middle Township, Hendricks County, attending the elementary schools of the township, and at the early age of fifteen years learning the carpenter's trade. On December 23, 1896, he married Alta Estella Roseboom, and to them have been born four children, three sons, Paul Gilbert, Charles Harold and Frank, all of whom the all-wise Father saw fit to take unto himself in their childhood; and one daughter, Genevieve May, who is the constant companion of her mother and the source of inspiration to her father.
Mr. Cockerell is a man of few words, quiet and unassuming, but his judgment in business affairs is unquestioned, and his advice in public affairs at all times carries great weight with his associates. His life has been one of accomplishment for himself and the community. Starting in life with little capital save his own knowledge of his chosen trade, he has worked conscientiously and well, first as a good carpenter and later as a successful contractor, upon whose word clients can safely depend. His own home is visible evidence of his ability as a builder, being a beautiful, modern structure, thoroughly equipped with every convenience for the comfort of the family and to facilitate the work of the home. The fact that he has twice been elected a member of the town board of Pittsboro, serving two terms in this capacity (from 1906 to 1908 and from 1911 to 1913), speaks more eloquently of the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow men than any words of ours could do.
Firm in his convictions and unswerving in adherence to principle, his political affiliations have not always been with the most popular party; but he has worked diligently for and looked forward to the abolishment of the liquor traffic and its attendant evils in his own community and throughout the nation, and to this end has consistently allied himself with the Prohibition Party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Pittsboro Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias, at Brownsburg, and the Improved Order of Red Men at Lizton. He is a member of the Baptist Church of Pittsboro, while Mrs. Cockerell has her membership in the Methodist Church.
The K. of P. building at Lizton, the Sawyer block and Hayworth block at Pittsboro, and numerous other buildings throughout the county speak of his ability as a builder, while his reputation for strict integrity, honor, industry and the performance of all good works in his power for the community at large, speak of a life of service, well spent and productive of marked results for himself and his neighbor.