New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-05
OBITUARY.
EDWIN COWLES.

Cleveland March 4-Edwin Cowies, Editor Of The
Cleveland Leader, died this morning age sixty-hvo
years. lie had been confined to his house during inc
last three weeks most of the time to his bed. lie
was suffering from the heart and stomach
troubles that had afflicted him during the past four
years, and it was hoped by his family and friends
that he would sufficient strength TO De aoie
give attention to business again before long, The
announcement OF his death was severe blow to his
associates In this city where the greater part OF his
life has been passed in active and useful labors
his death will be mourned public misfortune.
Edwin Cowlcs was born at Austinblrg, Ashtabula
County, Ohio september 10, 1925. lie was
descendant OF early Puritan and IIugucnot coloniss'
his paternal ancestors having come to America In 1881
and his maternal ancestors having been the first SET
tiers Of Wcstcrsfed, Conn., At the age OF fourteen
years he taken by his father to Cleveland, Ohio
where he was educated and trained to be printer.
Five years later the head Of printing estab'
lshment where he remained ten years. In 1853
he became member OF the firm OF Medill, Cowles q
Co.. publishers of The Forest City Democrat" The
next year the Of the paper was changed to The
Cleveland Leader" journal with which Mr.. Cowlos
was ever after inscparably identified In 1855 he
bought out the interests Of his partners and became
sole proprietor of The LEADER Mr. Medill then went
TO Chicago and purchased I" The Chicago Tribune" %
which paper Mr.. Cowless brother Alfred who died
not long ago, became business manager Down Il
1853 Mr. COwles attended only TO the business anair~
of The Leader after that date he also the
Edtorin- Chief Of the paper. In 1856 he turned the
establishment into stock company, retaining himself
a controlling interest in II.
In the founding and organization OF the Republican,
party, Mr.. Cowles took a conspicuous part Dur1no
the winter Of 1o54-55 numerous consultations took
place at the Office Of The Leader" and these led Ia
the National Republican Convention at Pittsburg, the
first held by the party. Mr. Cowles IN lafea
years used his pen with great vgor and telling effect
in behalf Of Republication and Of the National cause,
lie was an earnest supporter Of Lincoln, and was
prompt and outspoken advocate Of the preservation Of
the Union and the suppression Of the Rebellion bX
force Of arms. lie also among the foremost
peadcrs for the cause of Emancipation and immedis
acly the disaster Of Bull Run printed vigorous
editorial headed Now is the Time to Abolish slavery
This created great sensation, especially Mr. Cowles
was at the time holder having been in
1861 appointed postmaster al Cleveland. Many went
urge the Administration to remove him, fol
fear that his continuance IN ONCE would further ex.
a. perate the SOUTH But Mr. Lincoln did not sce II
In that light and Mr. Cowles served out his term -
postmaster.
For a number OF years past Mr.. Cowles's health has
been poor. From boyhood he suffered with peculiar
affection which 10 the what colorbind.
birds note, and until he grew TO manhood he always
thought the music Of the bird was poetical ncton,
" You may ill a room with canary BIRDS he once
said. and they may all sing at once. and | never
would hear note but would hear the futterlngs %
their wings. ! heard the kissing sound IN the
human voice. consequently, not knowing Of the ex.
istence Of that sound, grew up 10 manhood without
sonants | never hear. Yet hear all the vowels:
About a quarter Of the sound, In the human voice
lips and be governed by the sense Of the remarks IN
order 10 understand what /, said Ia me nave walked
by the side Of policeman gong home az h,s hs,r ana
although It could be heard by Others half mile away
never heard the upper note, Of piano VIOLIN %
the lower notes.