Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-08-03
James III. Cowan.

We take the following extracts from a
sketch Of this gentleman which has just
been published in Frank Leslie's CHM
rey Corner under the head Of Self Made
men:
Prominent among the business men of
the Border States stands James Ii. Cow
an, Esq. of Knoxville, Tenn. Self-made,
he has reached wealth without the sur
render Of q single one Of those exalted
principles with which he began his career,
and. at the same time, the immense bust
ness which has grown mp under his direc-
ton Is proof Of the ability and energy
which be has displayed throughout a long
period OF activity.
lie was born In Knoxville, December
22d 1901. His father WIS a native of
ireland, and settled at Knoxville at an
carly period. The Cowan family is now
a numerous one in Tennessee, all the orr
ginal members having been industrious
business men, who firmly established them
selves wherever they located. James H..
Cowan, as a boy was noted for his sedate
and intelligent character. The section of
country where he lived, now blessed with
wealth. Improvement, and every advan-
tage belonging to civilization any refine
ment, was then rude in all its character
istics.
During his youth, James addressed
himself to the duty of obtaining all the
education he could. He had a realizing
sense of the value, and applied himself
with far more diligence than was common
with the country youth of that day. At
at a salary of fifty dollars a year, and his
board.
In the year 1925 he began merchandis-
ing in a corner Of Knoxville which has
ever since been occupied either by him
self or a branch of his family. His means
were very small. The first firm was
White 4 Cowan, which. in 1880 became
Cowan & Dickinson. Atthe present time
the style of the firm is Cowan McClung d
Co. \ retail branch of the house is con-
Quoted under the firm name of p. Dickin-
son & Co.
During the forty-six years of its con-
tinuance, up to the present date. this bu-
siness has grown to vast proportions
Three large buildings are required for its
many departments. Most of the many
varieties Of goods generally sold in a courE
try store are kept or hand but in this
establishment all the leading articles of a
kind, form a department, and thus each
is a large business in itself. The same
system Of regularity to be found IL the
great establishments Of the seaboard cities
prevail here. There are thrones o fcierks
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 al, interior city like Knox
vile.
The prosperity of the business has been
uninterrupted from the outset, In 1928
Indeed. the members of the different
firms have been and are the strongest bu-
siness men of Tennessee. Mr.. Perez
Dickinson is a gentleman noted for his
culture as well as business ability, and
Mr. McCiung is q young man of soaring
enterprise. When to THIS statement is
added the fact of the patient persever-
ence and the lofty integrity of Dir. Cowan
the corner stone Of the whole structure, it
can readily be seen that tie business has
been based on the capability. honesty and
industry of all those connected with it.
AS a director of tanks, and other places
of trust. be has served with a fidelity that
has caused him to, be greatly sought after
for such positions. He has been ideEti6-
ed with the real estate improvements of
Knoxville, and is now building a fine res
idencc.
Regarding all matters Of morals, reli-
gion, and good order. Mr.. Cowan is al
ways found ready with his influence and
means in their behalf. Never intemper-
ate In his zeal. yet he is firm and per-
sistent in doing his duty.
As a merchant, man. and citizen, he
bears a reputation which has shone. fair
and spotless throughout hiswhole career.