BIO: Matthew B. COWDEN, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 327-328.
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  COWDEN, MATTHEW B., city engineer, was born in Susquehanna township, 
December 1, 1851.  He is a son of John W. and Mary E. (Hatton) Cowden, 
both natives of Dauphin county, where they spent their lives, and where 
they died in 1872.  The father was a civil engineer, and served as city 
surveyor of Harrisburg for a number of years.  He and his wife had nine 
children, eight of whom are still living:  Margaret, wife of Samuel N. 
Hamilton, of Beaver county, Pa.; Frederick H., of Harrisburg; Sarah, 
wife of Homer H. Cummins, of Harrisburg; Elizabeth B., wife of Matthew 
Beck, of New Jersey; Matthew B.; Ellen J., wife of Stephen Hubertis, of 
Harrisburg; Josephine W., of Harrisburg, and W. K.
  Matthew B. Cowden came to Harrisburg when he was five years old.  He 
was educated in the city schools, and also attended the Polytechnic 
College of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1872.  He 
engaged in the work of civil engineering, serving for one year with the 
Texas Pacific railroad, in Texas, since which he has been employed in 
this occupation in Harrisburg.  He was elected city engineer in 1874, 
and for twenty-one years he has performed the work of this office with 
skill and fidelity.  Mr. Cowden was married in Harrisburg, in 1875, to 
Mary H. Buehler, daughter of Charles and Sarah Buehler, a native of 
Dauphin county.  Two children have been born to them:  Nellie E., 
deceased, and Edward C., born in 1879.  Mr. Cowden is a member of State 
Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F.  In political views he is a 
Republican.  The family attend Zion Lutheran church.