Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
HAS SPLENDID RECORD
BUILDER ARTHUR COWSILL AND
SOME OF HIS WORK.
He Has Erected Some Of the Largest
Buildings in Progressive
Washington.

A history Of building operations in this
city would not be complete without the
name Of Arthur Cowsill whose ability a. q
builder has become 80 well known and gem
orally recognized
Mr.. Cowsiu was born in Farnworth, near
Manchester. England, and came to this
country in 1881, when quito young man
His business career dates from 1888, when
he secured a contract for brickwork on two
| residences on 10Th street above o street.
for the late George e. Lemon. In 1885 he
laid all the terra Gotta flreproofing on the
Baltimore Sun building. While the Balu-
more Sun building was being erected terra
Gotta floor arches and partitions had not
up to that time been used in general prac-
tice as now, nor was it regarded as brick
layers work His experience on the fire.
proofing Of the modern Stillman Hotel
Euclid avenue, Cleveland Ohio, was an ad-
vantage to him.
Mr.. Cowsill impressed the president Of the
Potomac Terra Gotta Company fayorab Iy
and secured the contract not only for this
building, but for the Washington Loan and
Trust building.
He also built the large. round, thirty
diameter kilns used for burning sewer
pipes at the Potomac Terra Gotta Com
pany's works. Later he put in the kilns
for the extensive plant of Thomas Somer-
vile & Sons of this city.
Among the buildings constructed under
his direction the following are the most
notable: The Union Station in Georgetown,
the post office building, Columbian Law
building, Fulton building, Armstrong Man.
ual Training School and the Southern rail-
way building.
He bears the distinction Of having placed
brick masonry higher or nearer the clouds
than any one in the city-340 feet above the
street, which he did on one Of the local
buildings This was strong test OF his
ability, but he succeeded.
Architects generally consider forty tons
foot Of 70 he
sustained good result to gain in practice.
The concrete foundations. composed of
crushed granite and Portland cement, I'M
der the Washington monument withstood
a pressure Of 1855 tons per square foot
cube thirteen inches square withstood
pressure of 1877 tons. This cube was sam
pie of material Mr.. Cowsill used on local
building which required material to sustain
a weight of only twelve tons a square foot.
The material used thus gave large guar
antee of safety.
The government building at Cumberland.
Md, is now being built by him for the use
Of the United States government under the
charge of the Treasury Department.
He also has contract with the District
government requiring the use Of four and a
half million bricks.
Mr.. Cowsill was an active member OF the
z. M. c. A. and contributed to its support
in the days when 1t was struggling.
He Is a thirty second-degree Mason a
Knight Templar, Mystic Shriner. past chan
cellor commander Of Amaranth Lodge,
knights OF PytnlaS, ana member OF the
official board Of Foundry M. q. Church of
which he is liberal supporter and an ac-
tive worker in its interests.
Mr.. Cowsill has so thoroughly Identified
himself with the interests OF the country
and particularly this city, as to entitle him
to be regarded as a true and loyal citizen
of the United States.
He Is member Of the Board of Trade and
a charter member of the Business Mems
Association.
He has added to the beauty Of this city,
both by his own houses and those he has
built for others.
His success has been secured through un-
questionable merit, thorough knowledge Of
building requirements and q modern spirit
Of progressiveness. His sterling manhood
has given him wide popularity and q host
of friends in business and socially. His
work, represented by some OF the leading
buildings In town. u an eloquent testimonial
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