Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-10-26
Death Of MIR. James HI. Cowan.
Died, at his residence in this city on yesterda.
the 25th inst, Mr.. JAMES II. CowAN

Died, at his residence in this city on yesterday
morning, the 18th inst, Mr.. JAMES Il. CowAN,
in the SEVENTEEN year of his age.
Mr.. Cowan was born in Knoxville on the 22d
of December, 1901. His father was native of
Ireland, but settled in this city at an early pc
riod and married Miss Margaret Russell, of
Jefferson county. When quite small his father
died and his mother married Mr.. Thomas
Humes, who looked after him as though he was
his own son, and provided him with all the edu-
eational facilities of that day. After completing
his academic course, Mr.. Cowan went to the
Washington College, under the management
of Rev. Samuel Doak, where he partially
completed his education: In his youth he was
noted for his steady, studious habits and evinced
an aptitude and desire for learning beyond that
of the generality of youth of that time, and it
was a source of regret during his life that cir
cumstances called him home to take part in the
drama of busy life before he had acquired a
complete collegiate education. e s 0a
With far-seeing eye, he beheld the future of
the country and realizing the immense COM
mercial interests that are inseparabe from ma
tional growth and increase of population, he re-
solved to become merchant, and accordingly
entered store in this city as salesman, at SAL
ary of fifty dollars per annum. Here he laid
the foundation fer his future success, and by
his uprightness fair dealing and courtesy, won
host of friends, while his aptitude for business
made him favorite with his employers.
| to business on his own account, and with this
end in view he exercised care in his expendl-
tures and carefully noted the course of trade.
In the year 1895 he began merchandising on the
! corner of Gay and Main streets, now Occu-
pied by the store of p. Dickinson &
Co., entering into a partnership with
Hu. A. NJ. White, brother. of George NJ;
White ESQ.,, City Recorder, which continued
until 1880, when they dissolved; he, however,
continued in business and new partnership
firm name of Cowan s. Dickinson, in 1898. He
continued in active business until his last i'll
ness and from his first starting out in 1925 until
now, the prosperity of his house has been unin-
terrupted and increasing.
Mr.. COWan was man who remained q work
er in one thing, instead of engaging in diver
sity of pursuits, and, while cautious in his un-
dertakings, kept up with the increasing tide of
enterprise in his section. Never Incorporate in
zeal, but steadfast in the discharge of duty, con-
cerning matters pertaining to morality, religion
and good order, he has yet always been found
ready to aid with his means and influence all
worthy objects. Though not an indiscriminate
aims giveP, he has ever acted out the Scriptural
injunction, Let not thy right hand know what
thy left hand doeth," and when satisfied that
the assistance asked was deserving, none were
more liberal in their response than he
In this connection and to show the zeal he
ever manifested in the cause of education, we
will mention fact told by one of our old citi-
ZenS, concerning Jne incorporation OF Cno East
Tennessee Female Institute. Mr.. Cowan was
one of few to raise sufficient sum to erect the
buildings, and was largely instrumental in
bringing it about. He was also trustee and
afterwards President of the Institute; trustee
of the East Tennessee University trustee of
the Hampden Sydney Academy and one of the
early trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum,
and welded large Influence in securing the
location Of the last named institution in this city.
Mr.. Cowan has been identified with the re-
lIrr;O, ,f han,
forty years, having joined the church on the
10Th Of October 1898. In 1886 he was ordained
an elder, which position he held until his death.
He also took great interest in the Sabbath
School cause and for nearly a score of years
has been superintendent of the school connected
with the church of which he was member.
As a member of the Knoxville Bible Society
he was indefatigable in distributing the Word
of God and for many years has been connected
with the chief management, and has long held
the position of President. rlH.-
He was elected Alderman from his ward for
several terms and acted as Mayor for a short
period, but though he has all his life held Of
fees of honor and trust, yet they were unsought
| on his part. Indeed, we might truthfully say
that he, like Cincinnatus, was taken from retire
ment to fill the positions he occupied so long
When the increase in numbers necessitated
the erection of larger house of worship, Mr.
Cowan not, only contributed largely of his
means but exercised personal supervision in
its construction, taking more interest in its COM
pletion than ifit had been his own private enter
prise.
Having spent his life in Knoxville, he lived to
see its growth during nearly three-quarters of
century from small village to its present d-
mensions and to witness the success of many of
its public and private institutions from their Incl
piency. and as merchant, man and citizen, his
reputation shone fair and spetless throughout q
long and well spent life. II "a
The deceased enjoyed good health, and was ac-
in laSt
April when he was prostrated with severe ILL
ness, his system having been undermined by
disease of the kidneys, followed by severe hem
orrhages. Shortly afterwards, on the occasion of
q fire in East Knoxville, he unnecessarily eX-
posed himself which brought on an attack of
congestion of the lungs which terminated in
pneumonia which was successfully treated
by his physicians. Afterwards the hemorrhages
became more frequent and his stomach was so
liberated as to prevent his taking any noursh-
ment for the last two months, naturally. Ten
days ago hehaG avery severe hemorrhage, losing
thirty-six ounces of blood in two hours and !
half, sinee which time he had gradually, but
visibly declined.
On Tuesday night an alarming change was
noted and his family realized that his end was
near. He however fingered until yesterday
morning at halfpast nine o'eloeh when his
spirit took wings and scared aloft to join the
throng of saints who had gone before to the
City of the Blest. - .srrF
He preserved his senses to the moment of
dissolution, and after bidding farewell to his
family, his last feeble words were Safe, safe
comfortable, comfortable y, showing that he was
free from all pain. ara
Mr.. Cowan was the father of seven children,
six of whom are living and all were present at
his death-bed, except one of his sons, Rev. Pc
rez Cowan, pastor of the Presbyterian church
at Rogersville.
The funeral services will take place to-mor-
row (Friday) afternoon, at three o'clock, of
which due notice will be given in to -morrows