Amos Frederick COWLEY

COWLEY, WEBSTER, HUNT, BALLOU, INGRAHAM, TILLMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/2/2013 at 21:31:35

21 December 1874 --- 16 September 1942

Amos Frederick Cowley

Amos F. Cowley was born at La Porte City, Iowa, December 21, 1874. His father was Abraham J. Cowley who was born at Holbeach, Lincolnshire, England his mother was Mary Ann Webster who was born in New York State. Abraham J. Cowley was the son of Joseph J. and Mary Hunt Cowley who came to the United States in 1850 and 1851 on a sailing vessel. Joseph J. Cowley had been a farmer and a veterinary surgeon in England.

They went to Kent, Ohio where he became a farmer and lived in what was known as the Cowley homestead. Later on it was sold and another farm was purchased nearer Akron where they lived until Joseph Cowley retired and moved to Akron. He died at Akron in 1897. His wife in 1891.

Joseph and Mary Hunt Cowley have five children of which A. J. was the 2nd child. A. J. Cowley born November 11, 1841, was educated at Kent, Ohio and in 1859 at about 18 years old he went to Lima, Ohio and then to Iowa where he found work on a farm. March 16, 1860 he married Miss Mary Ann Webster born in New York State, August 16, 1840, the daughter of Lester Webster and his wife Prudence, who had also come to Iowa about 1859 living first in Linn County and after his Civil War service in Black Hawk County, Iowa. Lester Webster was born in 1795 and was a veteran of the War of 1812, having served when he was 18 years old. Lester Webster had four children of which Mary was the youngest. Shortly after his marriage Abraham J. Cowley enlisted in Co. K. Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry for service with the Federal Army during the Civil War, and served for the entire duration taking part in 44 battles and skirmishes, among them the Battle of Lookout Mountain. During the War A. J. was twice wounded and part of the time he was in service he as a body guard of General Osterhouse. After the war he came back to his wife and they came to Black Hawk County, Iowa where Mary's parents and brother Henry had settled in 1855. He became a farmer with side vocations as blacksmith and butcher. In 1878 he moved with his family back to Akron, Ohio and served on the police force of that city. In 1889 he returned with his family to La Porte City and they stayed there three years before again moving to the Ballou farm west of Rowan in Wright County where they lived for five years. During this time all three of their sons were married. When the elder Cowleys moved back to La Porte City the sons returned with them. On May 30, 1911 Mary A. Cowley died. In all they were the parents of six sons; Arthur William who died in infancy; Frederick Thomas who died at 3 1/2 years; Joseph Lester who died in 1889 at 21 years of age; James Henry who was born in 1870; Austin Wilbur who was born in 1872; and Amos Frederick who was born in 1874, December 21st.

Amos F. Cowley spent his childhood from about four years of age to about 15 at Akron, Ohio where he attended public schools. He also attended school at Rowan, Iowa after which he attended Ellsworth Academy at Iowa Falls, Iowa for two winter terms. At 21 years of age he married March 22, 1896 Rose A. Ingraham who was born in Blaine Township, Wright County, Iowa, May 26, 1976, the daughter of Joseph G. and Sarah Tillman Ingraham. Both of them were natives of Ohio and had come to Iowa in the 1850's. After their marriage they lived on a farm near La Porte City, Iowa but returned to the Rowan vicinity in 1904. In 1910 the family moved to a farm near Dows, Iowa, in Vernon Township improving it as needed. To Amos and Rose Cowley three children were born: Lora Maude, Joseph Erwin, and Ruby Idella. In addition to being a successful farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Cowley is one of the best auctioneers in Wright County or in North Iowa. A man of pleasing ways and strong personality he has added much to the interest of his county. Politically he is a Republican. He was a member of the Methodist Church and the IOOF Lodge.

History of Wright County, Iowa -- 1912, page 989.