William W. Cocks
William Willets Cocks was an American politician who served three terms representing New York from 1905 to 1911.
Life
Born in Old Westbury, Long Island, he attended private schools and Swarthmore College. He engaged in agricultural pursuits.Early political career
He was elected Commissioner of Highways of the Town of North Hempstead in 1894, and was re-elected in 1896 and again in 1898. He was a member of the New York State Senate in 1901 and 1902; a member of the New York State Assembly in 1904; and a delegate to the 1908 Republican National Convention.Congress
Cocks was elected as a Republican to the 59th, 60th and 61st United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1905, to March 3, 1911.Later career and death
William Cocks was a member of the board of managers of Swarthmore College and was president of the Friends Academy in Locust Valley. He was vice president of the Roslyn Savings Bank and a director of the Bank of Westbury and the Bank of Hicksville. Cocks was President of the Village of Old Westbury from its incorporation in 1924 until his death there in 1932; interment was in Friends Cemetery, Westbury.Family
His son, William Burling "Burley" Cocks was a U.S. Hall of Fame trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses.Congressman Frederick Cocks Hicks was a brother to William W. Cocks.