Stephen Cocking

STEPHEN COCKING, merchant and keeper of the Main Light in Eagle Harbor, was born in England July 27, 1836; came to America in 1847; made his home in Dodgeville, Iowa Co., Wis., until 1852. He then came to Eagle River, and acted as engineer at the South Cliff Mine three years. Then spent one year in Wisconsin; returned to Lake Superior, and worked with the Copper Falls Mining Company till August, 1862, when he enlisted in the late war in Company I, Twenty-third Michigan Volunteers, for three years, and was appointed Brigade Bugler; served till the close of the war. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he returned to Eagle Harbor. In 1869, he was appointed keeper of the Gull Rock Light, Lake Superior, and held that position eight years. He was then transferred to Eagle Harbor as keeper of the Main Light, and has kept it to this date. In 1879, he began business as a merchant at Eagle Harbor; carries a general stock of $2,000 average value.