Born in Compton, Lower Canada, the eldest son of an Irish Anglican immigrant, James Cochrane, Cochrane was a cattle importer and breeder. He was appointed to the Senate on the advice of John Alexander Macdonald in October 1872 representing the senatorial division of Wellington, Quebec.
Cochrane, born in Compton, Lower Canada, was the eldest son of an Irish Anglican immigrant, James Cochrane, who specialized in importing and breeding cattle. He was appointed to the Senate by John Alexander Macdonald's suggestion in October 1872 to represent Wellington, Quebec.