When Joshua Cranor Cogdill was born on 18 November 1871, in Stanberry, Gentry, Missouri, United States, his father, Elisha Cogdill, was 39 and his mother, Sarah Ann Cranor, was 33. He married Sarah Ann Williams on 19 October 1893, in Gentry, Gentry, Missouri, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 1 daughter. He lived in Cooper Township, Gentry, Missouri, United States for about 20 years and Des Lacs, Ward, North Dakota, United States for about 30 years. He died on 16 June 1952, in Minot, Ward, North Dakota, United States, at the age of 80, and was buried in North Dakota, United States.