The Cowden Family

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1817

William Cowden Sr.  migrates into Guernsey County, Ohio and starts a new life.  William had a son David, who was born in Ireland in 1810.  Twenty years after the migration, David has a son on New Year's Day in 1837.   It was this son, William Newell Cowden who grows to build up a sprawling farm and a technologically advanced house called "Woodview". 

William Newell Cowden 

Was Born January 1, 1837.  In September of 1866 he took Deborah Laughlin as his bride and they had eight children .  Charlotta Maria (b. 7/15/1876) died in infancy on November 26^th in 1878.  William, died September 17th in 1920.

     Wm. Newell was quite successful as a farmer and primarily bred and raised sheep, produced wool, kept orchards, and was involved in all aspects of farming. The original farm covered 537 acres. He was president of the Quaker City Fair Association for several years, vice president of the Quaker City National Bank, president of the Wool Growers Association for 23 years, member of the Ohio Tax Commission, Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and an active Democrat (filling township offices and serving on the school board). He and Deborah died within a few months of each other.

     Some of his descendants still live in Guernsey County, some still in the region and a few in distant parts of the United States.

The Cowden Children

     The seven that survived had diverse careers and many enjoyed success in their chosen vocations.   Several married while one daughter dedicated herself to evangelizing India. Most had children.

• David Laughlin Cowden - was born August 8, 1867 and became a physician.  He married Cora Spencer September 1, 1891 and they had 5 children:  Paul Spencer (b. January 9, 1894), Russell Lee (b. October 1, 1898), William Newell (b. August 8, 1900) who died in infancy, Harry Laughlin (b.  May 25, 1902), Mary Nora (b. July 28, 1906).  David Laughlin died December 6, 1940.
• William Kennon Cowden - was born September 17,1869 and settled around Huntington, WV.  He became an attorney and married Mamie G. Riggle October 29, 1895 and they had two children:  Nellie Virginia (b. September 28, 1899), William Kennon (b. May 26, 1903) who became an attorney also.  A third son George is recorded in our history, reportedly an attorney also.  William Kennon died circa 1939.
• Newell Wilson Cowden - was born March 11, 1872.  "Uncle Put" became a physician and married Bessie Roach December 18, 1909.  He and Bessie had five children:  Robert Wilson Cowden (b. November 2, 1910) from Germantown, Montgomery, Ohio;  Mary Charlene (b. 4.30/1913),  David Laughlin (b. 2/5/1916),   Richard Newell (b. 1/18/1918), and John Stewart (b. 2/20/1922).  Newell Wilson died October 2, 1955.
• Jennie Marjorie Cowden - was born May 13, 1874.  She married Thomas Edward henderson September 19, 1900.  They had four children according to our family history.  I found three: Edna Deborah (b. June 16, 1903, Paul Gilbert (b. June 22, 1907) and Marjorie Lillian (b. December 19, 1909).  Jennie's grandson Bob Henderson operates the Henderson Farm which is directly North of the original Cowden Farm in Millwood township, Guernsey County, Ohio. Jennie died in 1946.
• Mary Henrietta Cowden - was born August 31, 1877.  "Etta" became a missionary to India for over 45 years and never married.  She spent her last years in a home for retired missionaries in Frenchburg, Kentucky, bedridden and completely senile. The exact date of her death is unknown at this time; she's buried with her parents in Friend's Cemetery, Quaker City, OH.
• Deborah Lillian Cowden - was born March 18, 1880.  She was 36 when she married the 67 year old doctor, John Willis Stewart.  They had no children and he widowed her in 1930.  Lillian or "Lillie" as she was called, died March 13, 1941.
• Harris Stewart Cowden - was born March 29, 1883.  "Harry" became a dentist and married Mary Pickerington who was a school teacher.  "Harry" died in Columbus, Ohio July 4, 1972.    They had no children and their burial sites are unknown.

     If you are a Cowden descendant and are interested in your genealogy or if you can add to the gaps in our history.  You are welcome to join us.  If you are a descendant of any of William Newell Cowden's children, then you NEED to contact us.  There is a history and legacy you need to know about concerning "Woodview".

     As we proceed we hope to reopen channels of communications with our relatives, develop a more complete and detailed family tree and eventually revamp much of the great genealogical work of my aunt, Lucille Cowden Kazee, the great granddaughter of William Newell Cowden.

~Kyle Spencer Cowden