Obit: Cowen, Benjamin F. (1828 - 1901)

Contact: Stan

Surnames: COWEN

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 11/21/1901

Cowen, Benjamin F. (1828 - 15 NOV 1901)

A telegram received by Miss Anna Cowen, Friday evening, announced the death of her father, Lieut. Benjamin F. Cowen of Tacoma, Wash.

The intelligence proved a great shock to Mr. Cowen’s host of friends here (Colby, Clark Co., Wis.), notwithstanding, it was not wholly unexpected, as it was little thought, when he left here, that he would ever return.

Mr. Cowen had been general foreman of the Colby Lumber Co.’s business at this place for the past twelve years, and by his genial, gentlemanly ways had won the respect and friendship of all his acquaintances.

Mr. Cowen was born at Schenectady, N.Y., about 73 years ago; a portion of his early life was spent in Canada and New York city; he came to Wisconsin in 1857 and located at Eau Claire, where a year later he helped to organize and become a charter member of a Masonic lodge, having joined the order some years before in New York city; he enlisted in Co. C 8th or Eagle regiment, Aug. 1st, 1861, and served one year as corporal and 1st sergeant, when he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of Co. I, 30th regiment, which did garrison duty at Fort Union in Dakota, then a rather hazardous post among the Indians; he was mustered out of the service Sept. 20th, 1865, having served four years and nearly two months.

He left Oct. 4th, last, for Tacoma, Wash., in very feeble health, with the hopes that the change might be beneficial.

He leaves to mourn his death, a wife, three daughters, all of whom were with him at the time of his death, except, Miss Anna, one of our city teachers. Mrs. Cowen went to Tacoma in April last, where their two daughters, Mary and Greta, and son Frank reside. Besides the immediate family, he leaves two sisters at Eau Claire, Mrs. H.P. Graham and Mrs. Margaret Graham, and the family and relatives have the most sincere sympathy of their large circle of friends. A good man has gone to his reward.