Obit: Cowen, Frank (1846? - 1930)

Contact:  Marsha Cowen Hosfeld
Email: shashie50@aol.com

Surnames: COWEN COWAN

----Sources: NEILLSVILLE PRESS (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Page 1 Thursday 11/20/1930

Cowen, Frank (1846? - 13 Nov. 1930)

Died at County Farm, age 84

FRANK COWAN STRICKEN

Frank Cowan, who made his home with Herb Brooks for a number of years until he became sick last spring, died Thursday at the County farm. Mr. Cowan, who was 84 years old, was born in Illinois, but lived the greater part of his life at Abbotsford, Wis. His wife died in 1898. Theodore and Fred came from Gladstone, Mich., and took charge of the body. The funeral was held Saturday at Abbotsford, Wis.

Note: In the original obituary, Frank's surname is spelled as Cowan.

My great-grandfather, Frank Cowen, is listed as being buried in the County Poor Farm Cemetery, and I believe he was at one time. When his children could afford a marker for their mother's grave in Colby Memorial Cemetery, their father's name was included on that stone, and it is thought that Frank was moved to Colby Cemetery at that time.

Also, although Frank never stuck to one date of birth for long, I think he was actually born in 1854. He is listed as age 6 in the 1860 IL census. The marriage date of 17 Feb 1882, which was given in Mary Doernenburg's obit, is incorrect; Wisconsin records show they were married 20 January 1882. They had 3 sons and 1 daughter. Mary died shortly after giving birth to her daughter.

Frank's parents were Theodore Smith Cowen and Marilla COwen, Wis. His sister was Sarah Ann Cowen Stannard Brown.