Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-07-11
James HI. COwau.

| We take the following extracts from sketch
of this gentleman which has just been publish
ed in Frank Leslie's Chimney Corner under the
head of Self Made men;
| Prominent among the business men of the
| Border States stands JAMES III. CowAN. Esq,
of Knoxville, Tenn. Self-made, he has reached
wealth without the surrender of single one of
those exalted principles with which he began
his career, and, at the same time, the immense
business which has grown up under his direc-
ton Is proof of the ability and energy which he
has displayed Throughout a long period OF activ-
| ity.
| He was born in Knoxville December 22d
| 1901. His father was native of Ireland, and
settled at Knoxville at an early period. The
| Cowan family is now numerous one in Tennes-
see, all the original members having been in
dustrious business men, who firmly established
Caviar, as boy was noted for his sedate and
intelligent character. The section of country
where he lived, now blessed with wealth, i'm
provement and every advantage belonging to
civilization any refinement, was then rude in all
its characteristics. - rT~H
During his youth James addressed himself to
the duty of obtaining all the education he
| could. He had realizing sense of the value,
and applied himself with far more diligence
than was common with the country youth of
that day. At length he went into a store in
Knoxville at a salary offifty dollars year, and
his board
In the year 1895 he began merchandising in
| a corner of Knoxville which has ever since been
| occupied either by himself or a brance of his
family. His means were very small Ire first
firm was White s. Cowan, which, in 1880 became
Cowan 81 Dickinson. AT the present time the
style of the firm is COwan McClung s. Co. A
retail branch ofthe house is conducted under
the firm name of p. Dickinson 81 Co.
During the forty-siX years of its continuance
up to the present date, this business has grown
to vast proportions. Three large buildings are
required for its many departments. Most of
the many varieties of goods generally sold in
country store are kept on hand; but in this es-
Enlistment all the leading articles of kind
form department. and thus each is large
business in itself The same system of regular
ity to be found in the great establishments of
the seaboard cities prevail here. There are
thongs of clerks, and buyers from all portions
of the State and South and the whole scene is
one which speaks volumes for the enterprise
and growth of an interior city like Knoxville.
The prosperity Of the business has been unin-
terupted from the outset, in 1925 Indeed, the
members of the different firms have been and
are the strongest business men of Tennessee
Mr.. Perez Dickinson is a gentleman noted for
his culture as we'll as business ability, and Mr..
McClung IS Young man of soaring enterprise.
When to this statement is added the fact Of the
patient perseverance and the lofty integrity of
Mr.. Cowan, the corner stone of the whole
structure, it can readily be seen that the bust
mesa has been based on the capability, honesty
and industry of all those connected with it.
As a director of banks, and other places of
trust, he has served with fidelity that has caus-
ed him to be greatly sought after for such posi-
tons. He has been identified with the real es
tate improvements of Knoxville, and is now
building a fine residence.
Regarding all matters Of morals, religion,
and good order, Mr. Cowan is always found
ready. with his influence and means in their be-
half Never incorporate in his zeal, yet he is
firm and persistent in doing his duty
As a merchant, man, and citizen, he bears Il
reputation which has shone fair and spotless
Throughout his whole career