Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Cowman, John William Jr. 1918
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Ionia Daily Sentinel
COWMAN, JOHN WILLIAM, JR.:

      THE IONIA DAILY SENTINEL, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1918:  "LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
- John W. Cowman of Hubbardston died this morning at 6:30.  Mr. Cowman was a
pioneer of North Plains township and for forty years a merchant in Hubbardston."

   THE IONIA DAILY SENTINEL, Oct. 31, 1918:  "HUBBARDSTON - Our village was
again shocked by a sudden death, John W. Cowman being found dead in his bed
early Saturday morning.  He had been about his business, as usual Friday and
quietly passed away in his sleep.  He had been in business in Hubbardston more
than forty years, filled many positions of honor and trust, was a good citizen
and will be sadly missed."

   October 30, 1918:  "HUBBARDSTON MOURNS DEATH OF JOHN W. COWMAN - PROMINENT
CITIZEN AND BUSINESS MAN - FAITHFUL MEMBER OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH - Hubbardston
deeply mourns the death of one of its best and most popular citizens, who for
many years was very prominent in its political and business life.  The whole
community was shocked last Saturday morning when the sad news of John W.
Cowman's death was known.  Only the day before he had been attending his store
and was in a very happy jovial mood.
   Around the personality of John W. Cowman centered every local activity.  He
was looked upon as a leader among his fellows, a man of sterling character and
integrity, of sound judgment, and unquestioned honesty.  Practically his whole
life was spent in Hubbardston, and today, naught but words of just praise may be
uttered of his irreproachable life.  He always had a lively interest in the
welfare of his community, was a man intensely attached to his business, and a
most faithful and devoted husband and father.  Indeed, his loss will be felt
keenly in Hubbardston for the very presence of John W. Cowman at all times and
in all places meant encouragement and support, his abilities had been
appreciated and recognized in public life for many years.  He was elected as
supervisor of North Plains township for twenty-one years, was president of the
village of Hubbardston several times, and also held at different times nearly
every office in the township.
   Mr. Cowman was a life-long resident of Hubbardston, having been born in 1854,
the second white child in the township of North Plains.  His father was really
the "father of this settlement", having come with his wife from Ireland in the
earliest days.  As a young man he spent some five years in the far west, and
upon his return, just forty-one years ago, engaged in business conducting a
general store at Hubbardston with Mr. Michael Cahalan.  This partnership
continued for a period of about ten years, when Mr. Cowman then entered a new
store partnership with Mr. Townsend.  After a few years, Mr. Townsend retired
from the firm and Patrick McKenna entered the business known as Cowman &
McKenna.  For about ten years Cowman and McKenna conducted a general store in
Hubbardston and during this time they opened a second store in Carson City, Mr.
McKenna taking personal charge at Carson and Mr. Cowman remaining at
Hubbardston.   The business of the two stores so increased as to necessitate the
undivided attention of each gentleman in his respective place, and hence a
dissolution of partnership was brought about, whereby Pat McKenna remained in
Carson and Mr. Cowman in Hubbardston.  It is a remarkable coincidence that these
two partners of many years died within a few months of each other and in much
the same sudden manner.  During the past few years Mr. Cowman operated a second
store in Hubbardston, as it became necessary for him to divide his business.
   In 1890, Mr. Cowman was married to Miss Elizabeth Bohen, and there were born
to them seven children.  Two of their sons are now in the service of the
country, J. L. Cowman with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, and
James Cowman stationed at the University of Indiana, at Bloomington, Ind.  Mr.
Cowman was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
   The deceased is survived by a brother and a sister besides his wife and the
following children:  Mary, John L., Clare, James, Raymond, Catherine and Joseph.
   During his whole life John W. Cowman was a faithful member of St. John's
church, Hubbardston.  He was a member of the church committee for many years and
his death is a genuine loss to the whole parish.
   Owing to the present epidemic, the funeral was held privately at St. John's
church on Tuesday, Oct. 29.  Only the immediate family were present, a very
regretable fact for his host of friends, gained through an honored career, both
public and private, would have warranted one of the largest funerals ever held
in Hubbardston."

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