William M. COWAN

                   Deed from Drewey W. GOLLAHER of Sebastian Co., AR for $50 to John S. COWAN of
Pike Co, AR.  Land in Clark County, AR:  NE quarter of the NE quarter of D#17
Twp 810 R 22 W, 40 acres.  Signed by his mark

Marriage license in file

Letter from a son of William Charles COWAN:  "2 Feb 1962.  To Daniel Emerson my
grandson,
     A brief sketch of the COWAN family's history as clearly as I have been
informed and can remember.
     The first of our family of COWANS was a John COWAN, who came from Ireland
in, I think, 1780 or thereabout.
     He was the father of my great, great, great grandfather who settled in
Tennessee and owned lots of land.  How or when I don't know.
     However, when my great grandfather migrated from Tennessee to Arkansas, he
gave him a deed to one league of land.  But in crossing the Mississippi Riber
on a ferry boat, the water was rough and one of their trunks tipped off the
stack of belongings and was lost.  It had all of his papers and the deeds in
it.  Land was so cheap in those days they didn't bother about it.
     All of this I was told by my grandmother.  So they settled near Ft. Smith,
Arkansas.  They had a few slaves and raised four boys and two girls, of which
my grandfather was one.  I don't know the names of but 2 of the others.  One
boy was Jeff and one girl was Frances.
     Grandpa married Jane Golahar.  She was 7/8 black Dutch and 1/8 Choctaw
Indian.  Grandpa was Irish.
     To them was born Bill, George, Sol, Pat, and Mary.
     Bill was my father.  His full name was William Charles.  He married
Josephine Smith.
     To them was born George Henry, Ethel May, and Willie Bell.
     Let's say we are Americans from white forebears (ancestors).  Kindly proud
of my offspring.
     Your Grandmother's heritage was about the same as mine.  Don't know, Dan,
but hope what little I have been able to write you will be of some help.
        Love, Grandpa

My grandfather, Clyde Solomon Cowan, said of his grandfather, who he lived
with for awhile, that he came from Arkansas with his brother-in-law Charles
GOLLIHAR.  They split up; he went to the piney woods of Texas and worked in a
saw mill, and the brother-in-law went to Corpus Christi.

By Terry Cowan, April 2008:

John S. Cowan married Nancy Jane Gollihar in her native Clark County, Arkansas in 1853. On December 12, 1857, John S. Cowan purchased 40 acres from his brother-in-law, Drew Gollihar. Gollihar had himself purchased the property from his parents in 1854. On the 1857, John S. Cowan was said to be of neighboring Pike County, Arkansas.
On March 1, 1860, John Cowan received a grant for 40 acres of government land in Section 5, T 5 N, R 30 W. On May 1, 1860, he received a grant for another 40 acres in Section 19. This tract was just west of the acreage his father settled on.
The Cowans were Unionists, apparently. John S. Cowan did not enlist in the Confederate army upon the outbreak of hostilities. His brother William later joined the Union army, as did a brother-in-law. When the new conscription law was passed in April 1862, John S. Cowan was drafted into the Confederate Army on June 19, 1862. He was described as being 5'11" in height, of light complexion, with blue eyes and black hair. He served in Co. B of King's Regiment of the 34th Arkansas Infantry. His brothers-in-law, Drew Gollihar and Abner J. Wilson served in the same company. John obtained leave to go home for Christmas 1862, and once there, he and Jane packed their belongings, crossed over into the Indian Territory and headed for Texas. There, they sat out the rest of the war, and found a permanent home. His land in Arkansas may have been sold for taxes. Yet the acreage closest to the Cowan homeplace was owned by brother-in-law Andrew J. Gist in 1887, so some arrangement may have been made within the family.
The Cowans first settled in San Saba County. Some of the Gollihars may have lived in the area, though probably across the Colorado River in Burnet County. By 1870, they had relocated to southwestern Bell Cowan, near a host of distant kinsmen, the William F. Cowan family.
Indians remained a problem in the area. Jane Gollihar Cowan recalled that they would sneak up to the spring and steal butter and milk from the milk house. She kept a gun close by, and a bulldog for protection. In 1870, Indians stole some horses from the Cowans.
John Cowan was a freighter and owned several wagons and teams. At first, he used ox teams, but later upgraded to mule teams. John Cowan would often haul freight out to Fort Concho and back. The freighters traveled together for protection from Indians. John Cowan lost several oxen to marauding Indians.
In 1879, John Cowan sent his own herd from Bell County to Llano County, with sons William and Patrick in charge of their care. The cattle remained there for several years.
In 1889, John Cowan made at least one trip back to Sebastian County, Arkansas. He was there to execute some deeds in settlement of the family land there.
In later years, John S. Cowan may have maintained a home in Bandera, Texas, where he died and was buried. Other accounts indicated that he died while on a trail drive there. Jane Gollihar Cowan was a midwife. She spent her last years with her daughter, Mary Cowan Elmore, in Eden, Texas, and was buried there.
                  

                   Biography Terry Cowan #32

1860 Census, Sebastian County, AR, p. 36, ancestry.com image
250/238.  Andrew Gist, 20, farmer, b. MOMary*, 17, b. MO
Sebastian Co, AR 1860 Census:
p. 995.  255/243.  William M. COWEN 50 farmer 400/300 GA
    Mary 49 GA
    Elisabeth 21 TN
    Celina 16 TN
    Francis 15 TN
    Lewis 10 TN
    William 12 TN
Sebastian Co, AR 1860.  p. 995.  257/245
John S. COWEN 27 farmer 250/300 TN
    Jane 24 AR
    William 6 AR
    Mary 1/12 AR
*this is Mary Hart, who died 1864.  Mary Cowan married him in 1866.

Terry Cowan Document #32
Sebastian County Biography of Andrew J.F. Gist published by Goodspeed about 1889
Biographical Appendix, p. 1319 [unknown book]
Andrew J.F. Gist, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Dayton Township, was born in Missouri, November 2, 1839, and is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Morrison) Gist, who removed to Missouri from Tennessee about that year, and in 1844 settled near Greenwood, Sebastian Co., Ark., where they lived one year, and then moved in the vicinity of where our subject now lives.  The father is now seventy-seven years of age.  He has always been an industrious farmer, and for some time was engaged at the carriage trade, which he learned when young.  He is of Irish descent, and some of his ancestors fought in the early Indian wars.  He has been thrice marrried.  His first wife died December 25, 1846.  She was the mother of five children, of whom Andrew J.F., and Lucy Ann, wife of Charles Smith, of Choctaw Nation, are now living.  By his second wife he had two sons and two daughter, three of whom are living in different parts of the West.  Mr. Gist is now living with his fourth wife.  He has been a member of the Protestant Methodist Church many years, and has always been a Jackson Democrat, his first presidential vote having been cast for Gen. Jackson. He was a Union man during the war, and so left Arkansas during that time and lived North.  He began to teach school when quite young, and followed that vocation to some extent until 1870, in Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas.  In 1860 he lost his left arm in a sorghum mill.  Our subject was but five years old when he came to Arkansas.  At the age of fourteen he began life for himself, and for two years worked for his board and clothes.  He then clerked for a short time in a drug store at Fort Smith, and then until 1859 worked at various things.  He was then united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of James and Elizabeth Hart, who came to Arkansas (this county) from Missouri in 1844.  Mr. Hart died before the war, but Mrs. Hart is still living.  Mrs. Gist was born in this county, and died in Choctaw Nation in 1864.  August 2, 1866, Mr. Gist married Elizabeth, daughter of William and Mary Cowen, a native of Tennessee.  Mrs. Gist died September 9, 1880, leaving one child, who is now deceased.  January 25, 1881, our subject wedded Mattie, daughter of Elza and Martha Harlow, natives to Missouri and Tennessee, respectively,  In an early day they came to this county, where Mrs. Gist was born.  Mr. Harlow was of Irish parentage, and died in Sebastian County, as did his wife.

Dear Naomi,
Yes, I've been looking for my elusive James/Jimmy Wilson and found 2 listed in Sebastian County, Sugarloaf twp AR in 1860.  One is married so don't know about him. He is 10 years older than Elizabeth (31) but could have had an affair, gotten Elizabeth pregnant and wouldn't own up to it?  The other James is single living with mother Eliza and siblings - age 20 - more Elizabeth's age.  I can't find a marriage license even for Elizabeth and Gist.  I found Eliza & children in MO (1850) with a Wm Wilson as head but younger than her and would have been only 14 years old when James was born  Possible I guess.  Where did Wm go in 1860?  I wish these earlier census were more informative, like widowed - married how many years, etc.
   As for Gist, I have him in my tree as Abner's father because in the 1870 census Abner is listed as his son and the Wilson has been dropped.  In 1880 is when Abner WILSON appears and I wondered what happened to make him change his name.  THEN I remembered Grandma said his daddy's name was Jimmy.  THEN I found the Goodspeed bio.  AHHHHHHHH  I can't have just a plan ol' boring tree
   I will leave Andrew Gist as father until I nail down Jimmy.
   You may be interested in how Abner Wilson died.  This is family information that I learned from an uncle just a few years ago.  He was aged so I'm not sure how good his memory was.  I've researched the Ft Smith criminal archives and have not found anything yet.
   Abner Wilson married Rosanna Willis, the daughter of Robert Willis and Sarah Woods.  Sarah was 1/2 Choctaw Indian, Rosanna was 1/4.  I have no information on Robert Willis either.  He is another brick wall.  Indian Territory, Choctaw Nation is a very difficult place to find information on white folks prior to statehood in 1907.  Rosanna was pregnant with my g-aunt Mary Jane and my grandmother Ada was a toddler.  I'm not sure of Mary Jane's exact birthdate so don't know the year but it was about 1888.  Abner was outside of Robert Willis (father-in-law) property fence.  Robert warned him not to cross the fence.  Abner said all he wanted was his saddle and stepped over to retrieve it.  Robert shot him dead.  End of story.  Rosanna went on to marry Allen Thompson, had one child with him and then shortly after married Ed Killingsworth a full-blood and they had 3 children.  Allen was still living.  From what I understand Allen nor Ed were wonderful spouses so what did Abner do that was so terrible?  Robert died not long after he shot Abner because I can't find him in any records and during the enrollment of the Indian relatives he is listed as dead.  I think that date was about 1896.
   I wish these people could have avoided the common names, James, William, John, etc.  Of coures, some many years from now someone will be looking for my Bob, James, Renee, Amy, Michael, etc  :o)  And thats with the last name of JOHNSON
   Have a great day and if you stumble upon something give me a shout  I'll do the same.
Thanks, arline johnson in Tulsa
   You can email me directly at rnhblm@yahoo.com if you like.
Arline Johnson in Tulsa

Terry Cowan Document #12
Coop Prairie Cemetery, next to Cumberland Presbyterian Church - both established in 1849, Mansfield, Sebastian, Arkansas.
Mary E., wife of A. J. F. Gist, Oct 3, 1838 - Sep 9, 1880


I cannot find a marriage for Mary or Elizabeth Cowan in Arkansas, ancestry.com February 2007
                  

                   Terry Cowan Document #12
Coop Prairie Cemetery, next to Cumberland Presbyterian Church - both established in 1849, Mansfield, Sebastian, Arkansas.
Frances E. Cowan, 1844 - July 5, 1911
                  

                   Family Group sheets received from Terry Cowan, 603 Circle Drive, Bullard, Texas 75757 around 1990.


Sebastian Co, AR 1860 Census:
p. 995.  255/243.  William M. COWEN 50 farmer 400/300 GA
    Mary 49 GA
    Elisabeth 21 TN
    Celina 16 TN
    Francis 15 TN
    Lewis 10 TN
    William 12 TN

Sebastian Co, AR 1870 Census
365.  William COWEN, 60, Farmer, GA
	Mary 59, GA
	William 24 TN
	Frances 26 F TN

Cannot find in 1880

1900 United States Federal Census
about Martha Cowan
Name: 	Martha Cowan
Home in 1900: 	Dayton, Sebastian, Arkansas
Age: 	53
Estimated birth year: 	abt 1847
Birthplace: 	Arkansas
Relationship to head-of-house: 	Wife
Spouse's name: 	Wm G
Race: 	White
Occupation: 	View image
Neighbors: 	View others on page
Household Members:
Name 	Age
Wm G Cowan 	54
Martha Cowan 	53
Cora M Cowan 	21
Nettie D Cowan 	18
Lewis C Cowan 	17
Bertha E Cowan 	14
Harry L Cowan 	12
next door to Jackson J Bull (niece)

1910 United States Federal Census
about W L Cowan
Name: 	W L Cowan
Age in 1910: 	67
Estimated Birth Year: 	abt 1843
Birthplace: 	Tennessee
Relation to Head of House: 	Head
Father's Birth Place: 	Georgia
Mother's Birth Place: 	Tennessee
Spouse's Name: 	Marth
Home in 1910: 	Sugarloaf, Sebastian, Arkansas
Marital Status: 	Married
Race: 	White
Gender: 	Male
Name 	Age
W L Cowan 	67
Marth Cowan 	66
William Cowan 	32
Harvey Cowan 	18
Dona Cowan 	26
B E Cowan 	22
Aud Cowan 	4
ancestry.com

Sugarloaf, Sebastian County, Arkansas, 1920 Census, ancestry.com
William Cowan, head, 78
Mattie, wife, 77
Charles, son, 32
Aud, grandson, 14

Terry Cowan Document #12
Coop Prairie Cemetery, next to Cumberland Presbyterian Church - both established in 1849, Mansfield, Sebastian, Arkansas.
Mattie Cowan (Mother) 1842 - 1927
Will Cowan (Father) 1840 - 1926
                  

                   Family info from Shirley Neese, 1448 Sierra Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ  March
1977.  She is great-grand daughter of Louis

Family Group sheets received from Terry Cowan, 603 Circle Drive, Bullard, Texas 75757 around 1990.


Sebastian Co, AR  1870 Census:
Ancestry.com image
364/364.  Louis (?) Cowen, 22, farmer, 555, TN, married in August
             Matilda, 17, keep house, TN
Next door to William Cowen

1880 Census.  FamilySearch.org
Lewis COWAN, Self, 30, TN, TN, TN
Matilda COWAN, wife, 26, TN, TN, TN
Mary L. COWAN, daughter, 9, AR, TN, TN
Lizzie COWAN, 4, AR, TN, TN
Ola Della COWAN, 1, AR, TN, TN

1920 Census, Sebastian, Arkansas, ancestry.com image
36/36.  Cross, Thelston A., 40, AR,LA,LA
Willie M., wife, 35, AR,TN,TN
Norma, daughter, 13, AR,AR,AR
Darrell L, son, 11, AR,AR,AR
Harrell R, Son, 7, AR,AR,AR
Norene, daughter, 5, AR,AR,AR
Lora M. Daughter, 1 7/12, AR,AR,AR
Cowan, Louis C., father-in-law, 69, W, TN,TN,TN

Terry Cowan Document #12
Coop Prairie Cemetery, next to Cumberland Presbyterian Church - both established in 1849, Mansfield, Sebastian, Arkansas.
Thos. C. Lewis, 1872 - 1967
Maudie M. Cowan Apr. 21, 1889 - Oct 26, 1889
Ida Bell Cowan, Oct. 25, 1873 - Nov 1, 1874
Ola D. Lewis, 1878 - 1965
Matilda J. Cowan, Aug. 5, 1953 - May 6 1889 [sic on transcription]
Louis C. Cowan, Sep 4, 1850 - Mar 1, 1921
Docia L. Cowan, June 3, 1871 - Mar 6, 1948
Rosie Coley, Aug 21, 1881 - July 27, 1973
Samuel S. Coley, Sept. 3, 1870 - Feb 3, 1949