Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Cowing, George J 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 2:34 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

GEORGE J. COWING. This well-known attorney of Joliet, member of the firm of 
Cowing & Young, is one of the native-born sons of Will County. He was born in 
Peotone Township, March 25, 1859, and received his elementary education in 
public schools and under private tutors. From seventeen until twenty-one years 
of age he taught in district schools, and with the money thus earned he began 
a course of study in the Northwestern University in 1880, but his incessant 
labor had impaired his health and he was obliged to temporarily discontinue 
his studies. In the spring of 1881 he went to Colorado, where he remained for 
fifteen months, returning in the summer of 1882. Soon afterward he 
matriculated in the law department of Michigan University, where he took the 
regular course of lectures, graduating in 1884. Among his classmates was the 
since well-known "Dick" Yates, who has become a power in Republican circles of 
Illinois. Constant devotion to his studies had again affected Mr. Cowing's 
health and after graduating he found it necessary to spend several months 
recuperating. As soon as he had recovered his health he came to Joliet and 
began the practice of law, associating himself with the law firm of Olin & 
Phelps. After eighteen months with them he opened an office at No. 317 
Jefferson street, in an office adjoining that of Hon. Edward C. Aiken, to 
whose large and valuable law library he had free access. Soon afterward he 
formed a partnership with Col. J. B. Fithian, under the firm name of Fithian & 
Cowing, and this firm built up a large practice. In 1889 their partnership was 
dissolved. Soon after this Mr. Cowing entered into partnership with Hon. 
Benjamin Olin, which continued until Mr. Olin was elected county judge. In his 
canvas for that office Mr. Olin had no supporter more active than his law 
partner, in spite of the fact that the candidate was a Democrat and his 
partner a stanch Republican. In 1892 Mr. Cowing associated himself with George 
W. Young and October 1, 1898, they removed their office to the Cutting 
building, where they have a well-equipped suite of three rooms. Fraternally 
Mr. Cowing is identified with Matteson Lodge No. 175, A. F. & A. M.; Paul 
Revere Lodge No. 371, K. of P., in which he was chancellor commander; and 
Mound City Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. He is admirably fitted for 
successful work in his profession and in the public service, being systematic, 
exact and business-like, and at the same time well-informed, genial and 
accommodating. He is connected with the Richards Street Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he is a trustee. In 1890 he married Miss Stella Titsworth, 
daughter of H. M. Titsworth, of Aurora. They have three children, Luella A., 
Glen L. and John C.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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