The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1917-11-29

The citizens of this community were
b wed down with sorrow last Sunday
when the news was flashed to this
city that Judge John F. Cowan had
passed to his eternal reward at the
Mayo hospital at Rochester,. Minn.,
following an operation for cancer.
His death was not altogether unex-
pected as he had been in poor health
for some months, but with stoical
nature he had performed his daily rou-
tine of work without complaint as to
his true condition, neither did hc cease
his duties until he realized that he was
seriously afflicted and that he would
have to seek medical assistance. .Ev-
en- his closest friends were unaware
that he. had gone to the hospital until
some time after he had arrived there.
After an exhaustive examination by
his physicians, an operation was deem
ed the only thing to give him relief
and realizing that it was serious, his
wife, who was with him, called his
daughter, Miss Frances, to his bed
side. Following the operation ne
made noble fight to regain his
strength, but from the first the attend.
ing physicians could give but little en-
couragement. Sunday afternoon at
4:15 with his wife and daughter at his
bedside, his soul passed to the Great
Beyond.
The 'Judge," as he was fam;liarly
called, was possessed of many rare
talents. He possessed astonishing en-
ergy, which was a great factor in
bringing about his many successes in
politics, his profession and business.
He was the possessor Of a remarkable
intellect, and was most versatile
man, which in a measure accounts for,
his many successes, and for his fo.1a-
ing and retaining friendships. He was
one Of the most gifted conversation
alists. To converse. with him for an
hour or two over any Of. the topics ex
the day was a rare treat. Together
with these things, he combined a re-.
markably pleasing personality, with
ready wit to distinguish him wherever
he moved. Above all these things he
possessed a kindness which endeared
him to everyone with whom he came IN
contact.
The judge was a loyal friend, who
was ever ready and willing to help
another in distress, and gave bount,-
fully of sound advice and counsel. TO
those who sought him out and SUI.
stantially to the needy.
His character was unimpeachable.
He enjoyed a remarkable reputation
of being an upright, straightforward,
honorable gentleman by all who knew
him. He was most democratic man
counting among his friends the most
humble and highest.
His life and his career was a full;
one, for the Judge was always doing
something-not idly nor just to be de-
ing, but something worth while, and
his passing will leave vacancy in the
community and state Of which he has
so long been valuable citizen ann
highly respected resident.
LIFE HISTORY.
John F. Cowan was born at MofCatt,
Dumfriesshire, Scotland, December 20,
1858. His father was Alexander
Cowan, farmer, born in Wigtonshire,
Scotland. His mother was Nicolas
Montgomery, born in Dumfriesshire:
Scotland. The Judge came to Ontario,
Canada, to Huron county as a boy,
received his early education in the
schools of that county. This training
was supplemented by course at the
Goderich high school and at Ottawa
normal school, Ottawa, Canada. He
then came to the United States and Sc
cured employment at Port Huron,
Mich, with the Chicago & Grano
Trunk railway company.
It was while working for this cor..-
pany in 1880 Mr.. Cowan began the
study of law, for which he had taste,
but no intention of making the law a
profession.
He came to North Dakota, as before
mentioned in 1s81,and during several
winters "while holding down claim"
he continued his studies with the
friendly assistance of the law firm of
McGee & Morgan, now Judge John F.
MCGEE, of Minneapolis. considered by
many the leader of the brilliant twin
city bar and member of the Mime
sofa public safety commission, and the
late Judge D. E. Morgan, of the North
Dakota supreme court.
In August, 1885, Mr.. Cowan passed
an examination before Judge William
B. Mcconnell at Devils Lake and was
odroi++od RI thu how chnrt time