James Harvey Cowles was born in Riverton, in 1865, to James Ruel Cowles (1835-1873) and Ruthe Utterback (1845-1920).

All are buried in Utterback Cemetery near Riverton.

James was a barber in Riverton, and lived there until his death in 1947. He married Martha "Mattie" Chaney, also of Riverton, in 1886. They had 4 children together. Willis and Edith died as infants, but Rose and Lena grew to adulthood and both died in 1974.

~ Jen Shaffer