Biography :

William Cocklington or Coclington from White River, Muskegon Co. , : Present residence: Hart, Oceana Co., Michigan

When entering the Home in 1882, he stated being a single and with nearest relative "none in this country" and living in Weare, Oceana Co., Michigan. As it seems he spent his life in Oceana, I find no record of him at any place before the 1880 census. He was, at that time, 55 y.o., a laborer at the farm of Camel(Camille) and Louise Clay (Claeys), Belgians having emigrated to the States in 1875.

He left the Home in July 1889 and is listed in the Veteran schedule of the next year. Still in Oceana County, but at Pentwater, stating having been wounded during the War. His Home papers states he was wounded in the left shoulder, surely at Farmille at the last days of the Civil War. The last entry is in the 1900 census, a boarder at Alpheus Hardy farm in Hart Township, unable to remember when born (but about 70 years old) and stating being born Belgium but not knowing where his parents were born. He is buried in Hart cemetery but no date is given.

Sources :
Northwestern Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Milwaukee, Wisconsin