Dallas County, TX - Bios: Robert Erwin Cowart - Biography 1924
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[From The Encyclopedia of Texas, compiled and edited by Ellis A. Davis and
Edwin H. Grobe, published by Texas Development Bureau, Dallas, Texas, no date
(ca. 1924), vol. 2, pp. 802-803]

ROBERT ERWIN COWART was a pioneer lawyer of Dallas where he started the
practice of his profession in 1875 and for fifty years was not only one of
Dallas' leading lawyers, but was a recognized authority on all branches of law
throughout the Lone Star State.

A native of Georgia Mr. Cowart was born in Canton, August 22, 1844.  His
father, Robert Jackson Cowart, was a native of Georgia and throughout his life
was an outstanding figure in the professional and financial circles of that
State.  His mother, Mrs. Althea (Erwin) Cowart, was a member of a prominent
family of North Carolina.  His early education was received in private schools
of Canton, Georgia, after which he became a student of the University of
Georgia, located at Athens, graduating from that institution with honors.
Later, he entered Columbia University, New York City and graduated in law from
that institution where he also pursued a full literary course.  Mr. Cowart
served for a period of three years as a member of the 7th Georgia Regiment
during the Civil War, and established a noteworthy record as a soldier.  In
1874 he came to Texas, locating in Dallas the following year where he
established his home and office, soon becoming one of the best known attorneys
of the State.  During his residence here he was active in all movements for
the betterment of Dallas and was sent to Washington with Commodore S. W. S.
Duncan on the Trinity River Navigation project, and for several years worked
untiringly on this project.  Mr. Cowart was the confidential advisor to
Postmaster General Sidney Burleson, and was sent to Europe on several
occasions by him to attend to matters having to do with his department.

Mr. Cowart was married at Dallas, Texas, June 19, 1879, to Miss Sophia
Valentine Harper, a member of a prominent family of Sumner County, Tennessee.
Her father, Robert Goodloe Harper, a native of Tennessee, was one of the best
known and esteemed citizens of that State to which he had devoted much time
and aid in upbuilding.  Her mother, Mrs. Sophia (Valentine) Harper, was a
member of one of Tennessee's outstanding families.  Six children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Cowart, only one of whom is living: Robert Erwin Cowart of
Dallas.  The old Cowart home, 1711 Corsicana Street, has been the residence of
the family for almost half a century and is one of the landmarks of that part
of the city, and is still in a good state of preservation.

Mr. Cowart died in Dallas May 13, 1924.  During the long years of his
residence in this city he contributed the leadership and standing of a loved
and highly respected member of the bar as well as the influence of a thorough-
going gentleman to all relationships of life.  Men of his sort are all too
few.