J. H. COSGROVE, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by: Gaytha Carver Thompson, Jan. 1998
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890


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J. H. COSGROVE

J. H. Cosgrove, editor and proprietor of the Democratic Review, at
Natchitoches, owes his nativity to Claiborne Parish, La., his birth occurring
on April 29, 1842, and is the son of Hugh Cosgrove, who was born in County
Cavan, Ireland, in 1796, and who died in California in 1864.  The elder
Cosgrove came to the United States in 1835, and from 1836 to 1841 he engaged
in the drug business in New York City.  From there he moved to Minden, La.,
and was there engaged in the same business until 1844, when he came to
Natchitoches.  Here he carried on the same business until 1855, when he went
to California.  His wife, whose maiden name was Miss Mary Ann Burke, is of
Irish ancestry, and was born in Montreal, Canada.  She now resides in Terrell,
Tex.  Her father, Peter Burke, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and was the
third son of Sir Walter Burke.  Peter Burke died not long ago when in the one
hundredth year of his age.

In the fall of 1854 J. H. Cosgrove entered the Texas Masonic College, at
Larissa, Tex., a Cumberland Presbyterian school, and graduated from the same
in July, 1857.  He then returned to Natchitoches and on September 1 of that
year he entered the mercantile house of Walmsley, Carver & Co., remaining with
the same until August, 1860, when he went to Gilmer, Tex.  There he had charge
of the office and books of Wright & Beasley until April 19, 1861, when he
enlisted as a private in Richardson's Cavalry Company, from Marshall, Tex.,
Confederate States Army.  He was afterward transferred to Company c, Fourth
Texas Infantry, Hood's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, and served in all
the engagements of that army from May, 1863, to the close of the war.  He was
three time wounded.  He was a brave, true soldier, and served the Confederacy
faithfully and well.

He was married on February 14, 1867, to Miss Julia A. Johnson, a native of
Natchitoches, who was educated at the Mansfield Female College, and who is one
of the leading women of this point.  Five children are the fruits of this
union, viz.: Louise, born on November 9, 1872; Burdette, born June 7, 1875;
Annie, born November 12, 1877; Eddie Burke, born January 13, 1882.

From 1874 to 1882 Mr. Cosgrove edited, owned and published the People's
Vendicator, and since 1888 he has been publishing the Democratic Review.
Under his efficient management the paper has proved a decided success, and its
editorial policy has been directed by a man of good judgment.  Its reputation
as a representative journal of this portion of the State is well established.
In politics Mr. Cosgrove is a Democrat of the liberal school, and believes in
protection.  In 1880 he was appointed brigadier general by Gov. L. A. Wiltz,
of the Fifth Special Military District of Louisiana, and in 1882 he was made a
Mason at Natchitoches Lodge No. 38.  He has held only two civil offices, first
as printer of the Constitutional Convention in 1879, and in December of the
same year he was elected a member of the Lower House of the Louisiana
Assembly.  He was chairman of the committee on public printing, also acting
chairman of the committee on New Orleans City affairs, and was a member of the
committee on ways and means.  As a soldier Mr. Cosgrove was gallant, and
always found in the discharge of his duties, and as a legislator he took a
leading part.  In fact his superior intelligence and extended knowledge of men
and affairs is recognized by all, and he is one of the leading men of the
State.

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