As is elsewhere announced, Rev. B. D. Cockrill died at Eureka Springs, Ark., April 26. Mr. Cockrill was born in Kentucky May 28, 1849. Early becoming a Christian he entered the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and amid many difficulties prepared himself well for the ministry. His literary training was mainly secured in Cumberland University where he was the room-mate and intimate friend of Rev. J. M. Hubbert, now Dean of the Theological Seminary. He took his theological course in Union Seminary, New York. As a pastor he has served the churches at Oxford, Miss., Owensboro and Louisville, Ky., Tehuacana and Waxahachie, Texas, and South McAlester, I.T. At the last named place he was employed at the time of his death. Perhaps his greatest service to the denomination as a pastor was rendered at Louisville, Ky., where he was instrumental in securing the erection of the present handsome house of worship. From Louisville he was called to the presidency of Trinity University, where he labored with distinguished ability for several years. His wife, formerly Miss S. E. Halsell, daughter of J. M. Halsell, D.D., of Houston, Texas, and seven children survive him.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, May 11, 1899, page 579]

The church has been prepared for the sad announcement that Rev. B. D. Cockrill is dead. Writing from Whitesboro, Texas, Rev. F. P. Flaniken says, "I have just returned from preaching the funeral of Rev. B. D. Cockrill at South McAlister, I.T. A large concourse of people attended the services and many expressed deep sorrow. They feel that the town has suffered a great loss. The citizens and friends paid all of the funeral expenses and presented Mrs. Cockrill with a purse of $100 to which amount other friends added $35, generous appreciation which speaks for itself. Mrs. Cockrill has shown that she has a brave and trusting heart. Her son Dudley has been employed in a good drug store and she and her lovely daughter will keep boarders. Already they have some of the best people of the city boarding with them. She desires me to tender her sincere thanks to all those who have expressed sympathy and interest."

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, May 11, 1899, page 591]

COCKRILL--Be it resolved by the officers and members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Groesbeck, Texas, That in the death of our former pastor, Rev. B. D. Cockrill, D.D., at Eureka, Springs, Ark., we feel a great personal loss, for a good and great servant of our Lord has been taken from the world; and we recognize with pain the loss to the denomination at large created by the untimely taking away of our beloved brother and friend. Brother Cockrill was a pure and true man, a profound scholar, an eminent theologian, and a distinguished preacher. We love his memory, and we offer to his bereaved family our sincere sympathy and affection in this their hour of trial. Ordered that copy of this be furnished the family of our beloved brother, and to "The Cumberland Presbyterian," "St. Louis Observer," and "Texas Church Helper" for publication.
A. D. RHEA,
Clerk of Session
Groesbeck, Texas

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, May 11, 1899, page 606]

At the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Davis, I.T., on last Sunday were held very impressive memorial services in honor of Brother B. D. Cockrill. A large crowd of the members and citizens of the town were present. The rostrum was draped in whit and beautifully decorated with choice flowers. The pastor, Jas. M. Martin, preached an appropriate sermon from the text: "He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith; and much people was added to the Lord." At the close, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the congregation:

"We, the committee appointed by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Davis, I.T., to draw up testimonials on the death of Dr. B. D. Cockrill, submit the following: Whereas, death having claimed one of our preachers and brothers, Rev. B. D. Cockrill, we, the members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Davis, offer our heart-felt sympathy to his family in their bereavement; and we ourselves, feel deeply the loss, for he was among us for a short season, and his labors did us much good and the people of our little city, especially our church, deeply mourn the loss of so true a Christian gentleman, who was ever willing to give his time and talent to the cause of Christ. Our church at large felt the shock on hearing of his death. Fresh memories crowd upon us of the good and successful meeting conducted by our brother at this place last summer. Christians of all denominations were brought together and rejoiced at the truths brought out by our worthy brother. We all loved him.

Resolved, That a copy of this tribute of respect be sent the family of the deceased, The Davis News, "The Cumberland Presbyterian," Texas Church Helper, also spread on the minutes of our church register.
Dr. W. F. HAYNES,
W. F. PARKER,
MRS. BELLE PAULK,
Committee.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, June 8, 1899, page 728]

COCKRILL.--At a meeting of the session of the Oak Street Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of Louisville, May 10, 1899, the death of Rev. B. D. Cockrill, the first pastor of this church, was announced, and on motion, Rev. U. W. McMillan, M. W. Neal and P. M. Collier were appointed a committee to draft suitable resolutions thereon. At a subsequent meeting of the session, viz., May 21, 1899, the committee reported as follows:

We have learned with profound sorrow of the death of our former beloved pastor, Dr. B. D. Cockrill, which occurred recently at Eureka Springs, Ark. Some years of Dr. Cockrill's life formed a part of the history of this church, which is peculiarly dear to every member. About the first of the year 1886, Brother Cockrill was appointed by the Board of Missions to take charge of the work in this city. On June 13, 1886, he organized this church in the little chapel at Fourth and Chestnut Streets, with twenty-five members. The organization was effected with M. W. Neal and P. M. Collier as elders, and J. W. Marks and D. W. Smith as deacons. Brother Cockrill devoted his services for the first year mainly to soliciting contributions for the completion of the church building, at Second and Oak Streets, and so earnest and effective was his work that the church was ready for occupancy in January, 1887. He continued as missionary pastor until September, 1890, when he resigned to become president of Trinity University at Tehuacana, Texas. At the time of his resignation the membership had increased from twenty-five to ninety-one. While pastor, Brother Cockrill, not only endeared himself very tenderly to every member of the congregation, but through him our church took a very high rank among the Protestant churches of this city. His memory will ever be lovingly cherished by this congregation and his death is a sad loss to our beloved church in America.

Resolved, That we hereby tender the sincere sympathy of this congregation to the stricken wife and children of our departed brother.

Resolved, That this testimonial be engrossed as part of our church record, and that a copy be furnished to the family of our deceased brother, and also to "The Cumberland Presbyterian" and the St. Louis Observer with request for publication.
U. W. McMILLAN,
M. W. NEAL,
P. M. COLLIER

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, June 15, 1899, page 767]

Ordained Ministers Deceased
NAME: Benj. D. Cockrill
OCCUPATION: charge
PRESBYTERY: Choctaw
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: So. McAlester, I.T.
DATE: Apr. 26, 1899
AGE: 50

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1899, page 165a]

Benjamin D. Cockrill
Cumberland Presbyterian Minister
born: 28 May 1849 - Kentucky
died: 26 April 1899 - Eureka Springs, Arkansas
wife: Stella E. Halsell
[daughter of Rev. James McGready Halsell and Virginia ("Jennie") C. Murray]

Children of Benjamin D. Cockrill and Stella E. Halsell:

1. Dudley Cockrill

2. daughter