Cowman, William M. – 1845-1940

CARTER, COWMAN, HUGHES, KAIN, MOON, RINEHART

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 2/10/2015 at 15:01:40

Rites Held for County’s Last G.A.R. Veteran
Funeral services for William M. Cowman, 94, Jasper county’s last surviving G.A.R. veteran, were conducted by the Rev. W. S. Kight of Des Moines at the Pleasant Hill Methodist church Feb. 6, 1940.
Mr. Cowman died Feb. 4, 1940, at the home of his son, J. R. Cowman of Pleasantville, Ia.
At the final rites, music was furnished by a quartet of Mrs. Ben Buckingham, Mr. Gail Ingram, Paul Brown and Elsie Blackledge. They were accompanied by Mrs. Everett Kennedy.
The flower committee was Mrs. Elmo Blackledge and Mrs. John Lenty.
Pallbearers were six sons, S. O., J. L., W. C., E. F., B. H., and A. E. Cowman. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill cemetery. Services at the cemetery were conducted by the American Legion of Pleasantville.
William M., son of Joseph and Rebecca Cowman was born at Reelsville, Ind., June 5, 1845. He came to Iowa at the age of 9 years and located in Marion county where he spent his life with the exception of 3 ½ years he spent with his son J. L. of Indianola.
He enlisted May 7, 1884 at the age of 19 years and was mustered out on Sept. 28, 1864, at the expiration of term of service. He was a member of the 47th Iowa Infantry, Company A.
He was united in marriage to Nersissa V. Moon, Aug. 30, 1866 and to this union was born 11 children, one passing away in infancy. The other ten all of whom are living are: J. H., E. L., B. H. of Pleasantville, Mrs. Etta Carter, Mrs. T. C. Hughes of Newton, Mrs. L. C. Rinehart, N. O., W. C., and A. E., all of Prairie City and J. L., of Indianola. He also leaves to mourn his loss two sisters, Mrs. Tom Kain of Monroe and Mrs. Mollie Carter of Prairie City and one brother S. P. Cowman of Percy, also 25 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was a charter member of the Pleasant Hill M.E. church and donated the ground on which it stands.
Source: Newton Daily News; Saturday, February 17, 1940