COWIN, William E. 1879-1956

COWIN, HOUSE, GAMBLE, NORTHEY, THOMPSON

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 1/6/2014 at 18:17:30

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Wednesday, May 9, 1956]

William E. Cowan, 77, of 1626 W. 3rd St., died at 9 a. m Wednesday at his home. Death was due to heart disease ah complications. He had been in ill health for the past four months.

He was born Feb. 9, 1879 in Fairbank, the son of William and Mary Cowan. The family moved to Cedar Falls in 1881 He was graduated from Cedar Falls High School.

He married Carrie House Sept. 25, 196 at Maquoketa They lived in Cedar Falls for three-years and moved to Waterloo in 1909.

A well-known wholesale lumberman, he was associated with C. O. Gronen in 1905. In 1919, he and his brother, Joseph, began the Cowan and Cowan Wholesale Lumber Co The two worked together until Joseph's death nine years ago He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and was a former vestryman of the church, Cedar Falls Masonic Lodge, Consistory of Cedar Rapids, Scottish Rite of Cedar Rapids, Waterloo Country Club and a charter member of the Cedar Valley Stamp Club

Survivors are his wife, one son, William, 141 Hillcrest Rd; three daughters, Mrs. Mary Cowan Gamble, 1626 W. 3rd St., Mrs. Robert Northey, La Canada, Calif., and Mrs. Donald Thompson, Lincoln, Neb.; five grandchildren, and four brothers: Walter, 2408 Falls Ave., George, Chicago, Ill., Harry, Lansing, Mich., and Roy, Olden, PA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

The body is at Parrott and Wood Funeral Home, and may be seen after noon Thursday. Funeral arrangements are pending.

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Funeral services for William E. Cowin of 1626 W. 3rd St., who died at his home Wednesday, will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, the Rev. E. W. G. Worrall officiating. Burial will, be in Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls.

Mr. Cowan was a widely known wholesale lumberman. His son, William, was associated with him in the business, Cowan and Cowan, for the past 10 years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and among his memberships was one in Sunnyside Country Club.

The casket will not be opened at the church. Friends may view the body at Parrott & Wood Funeral Home until noon Saturday.