Person:George Cowan (9)

Sources

Transcript:Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin County, Illinois, 1891, pgs 320-21 for Robert S Cowan

Overview

From:Transcript:Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin County, Illinois, 1891, pgs 320-21 for Robert S Cowan

The father of our subject was reared and married in Tennessee, Mary May becoming his wife. She was a native of that State, and a daughter of Dr. Samuel and Catherine (Shelby) May. Her father was a native of England, and a surgeon by profession. Mr. Cowan early learned the trade of a tanner, and engaged in the business at Paperville, Sullivan County. He also had an interest in a paper mill and other manufacturing industries. He was a man of marked energy of character, of many resources, and very capable. In 1838 he resolved to try his fortunes in the State of Missouri, that was still in the hands of the pioneers, his bold, resolute spirit, hardy nature and powers of endurance fitting him to cope with the many difficulties to be encountered in settling in a new country. With his wife and six children he embarked on a flat-boat and floated down the Holston River to the Ohio, where he boarded a steamer that bore him and his family down the waters of the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers to Boonville, Mo. He located in Polk County, and entered large tracts of Government land in different counties, which he subsequently improved with slave labor. He resided for some years in that part of Polk County now included in Cedar County, and then sold his property there and removed to St. Clair County, where he had previously entered land. He erected suitable buildings and improved a large farm, which he made his home until 1854. In that year he went to Bolivar, the county-seat of Polk County to reside, and soon after he was appointed Judge of Probate, and held that office with distinction until the breaking out of the war. He then retired to private life, and passed his remaining days in the home of a duaghter at Sarcoxie, Jasper County, Mo., dying January 1, 1874. He had been bereaved of his wife many years before, she dying in St. Clair County, Mo., in 1852. She was the mother of six children, of whom these are the names,--Catherine, George, Nancy, Robert S., Mary and Salina.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Biographical Sketch of Robert S Cowan, in Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin County, Illinois: containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, governors of the state and of the presidents of the United States. (Chicago [Illinois]: Biographical Pub. Co., 1891)
   Pgs 320-21.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} St. Clair, Missouri, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   21 Aug 1850.

   Dwelling 79, Family 79, Lines 18-21, NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 413

3. ↑ Polk, Missouri, United States. 1840 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M704)
   1840.

   Pg 191, Line 19, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 228
   
   George Cowin -- 1 male 5-10 [Robert Shelby], 1 male 10-15 [George, Jr], 1 male 40-50 [George], 1 female 0-5 [Mary], 1 female 5-10 [Nancy], 1 female 10-15 [Catherine], 1 female 40-50 [Mary May]

4. ↑ Jasper, Missouri, United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule: Ninth Census of the United States, NARA Microfilm Publication M593. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration)
   19 Jul 1870.

   Sarcoxie, Pg 39, Dwelling 268, Family 280, Lines 15-23, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 552282
   
   George is living in the same household as his daughter Mary. This record claims George was born in Virginia, but all other records indicate he was born in Tennessee.

5. ↑ Polk, Missouri, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   1 Jun 1860.

   Bolivar, Pg 2, Dwelling 7, Family 7, Lines 1-8, NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 641