Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-01-17
Deaths.

On Saturday, the 18th instant, at his residence
near Stanton, Mr.. PATRICK McALEAR, aged
go years.
On the 1st instant, at the residence Of her hus-
band Rev. DR.. Francis Mcfarland near Bethel
church, Augusta county, Mrs M A. McFAR-
LAND, in the list year OF her age.
On the End instant near New Hope, JOHN Fl
CARRIER in the 4lst year of his age.
Near New Hope, on the LIST instant BENJAMIN
CLEMENS aged y years. 3 months and Is days.
Died at his residence in Staunton, On Sunday
morning Jan. Sth of pneumonia, Mr.. ROBERT
CowAN. in the 6lst year OF his age
In the death of this good and upright man the
citizens of Stanton recognize the loss of one of
their oldest native-born members of the commu-
nifty, and the people OF Augusta, especially those
who have passed the middle age of life will re-
call, not without emotion, that he was the last
survivor, bearing that name and continuing to
reside IN Augusta, of a family who had dwelt
amongst th, people for three generations, con.
spicous for their integrity and christian charac-
ter.
The deceased was directly descended from the
first child ever born in StauntOn. Ills father,
the late Joseph Cowan, was born in Ireland, but
spent nearly his whole long and active life in
Staunton, as one OF its most enterprising, honor
able merchants and useful christian citizens.
The subject of this notice has been engaged in
mercantile pursuits ever since he reached man s
estate and all of that time in Stsunton except
about 3 or years spent in the Southwest. For
the last 25 years he has confined his attention to
the Book and Stationery trade There is prob
ably not now living a man more familiar with
the history and traditions and families of Staun-
ton and in good part Of Augusta county ALSO
than was the deceased, and having considerable
antiquarian taste and research he was fond Of
tracing these out and making record of some of
them. He was a good discerner of character
was possessed of certain quaint hunor and had
good memory. Therefore, having seen good
deal of men and things his conversation was en-
tertaining and agreeable
The writer has known him intimately for six
and thirty years, thus ante dating his profession
of religion) and he never knew him to commit
mean or dishonorable action.
To ornit from this hurried sketch all mention
of Mr.. Cowan's course and conduct during and
since the war would be to ignore his most shi-
ming quality and most conspicuous merit as a
man.
Most deeply attached to the Union Of our ia
Tiers and the principles OF civil and religious
liberty embodied by them in the American con-
stitutions, he witnessed with pain their gradual
subversion and when their final overthrow came
by a war of invasion made upon his native soil
he gave himself without stint to aid the cause in
every possible way, but especially in minstering
to the wants of our soldiers The truth may be
summed up and epitomized in these few words :
Throughout the broad limits of the Southern
Confederacy there lived not men women who
did more gave mere sacrificed more accord
ing TO Lu0lf MEANS JuGii ulU GIT. ana T1TS. hOD-
ert Cowan. of Staunton, Va, and for the truth
of this we may appeal not only to our whole
community, but to every Confederate army and
fragment of 40 army that ever passed through
Staunton, and to every soldier that ever lay
sick or wounded in hospitals And when
the war of invasion and subjjugation was over
(or supposed to be over) his labors did not cease.
For now did he not labor with his own hands in
aiding to disinter and remove the scattered re-
mains of our heroic dead from the battle fields
and the wayside, and gather them into Gem
etery for decent sepulture and where their
graves can be cared tor
In conclusion, it is to be added that for the last
% years Mr.. Cowan has been true and consis-
tent and worthy member of the Presbyterian
Church, and it was observable and noteworthy
that within the last two or three years he strove
more and more to eradicate every root of bitter
ness from his heart toward those who were OPP
pressing US, and as far as it was possible, to live
in charity with all mankind. Personally he
lived and died amongst us without an enemy as
far as is known to the writer. HIS death was
that of the christian.
This community will not and ought not to for
get Mr.. CoWan SO long as member of his fam
lily remains amongst US.
MARK the perfect man aud behold the up
right, for the end Of that is peace
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