My Genealogy Hound

FRANK COWDEN, farmer; P. O. Downs; born upon Sec. 31, Old Town Township, McLean Co., Ill., Dec. 22, 1854; his father, Frederick R. Cowden, emigrated from Kentucky and located upon Sec. 31, Old Town Township, in 1832, and is consequently one of the very oldest settlers of McLean Co.; his biography appears among the sketches of Old Town Township, in another part of this work. The subject of this sketch attended the common school in his youth, and assisted his father in farming until 20 years of age; in December, 1874, he engaged in the merchandising trade, with his brother John J., at Gillum Station, which business he followed eighteen months, when he removed his stock of goods to Downs and associated with J. A. Davis in the merchandising trade, and continued the same until March 7, 1879, when he disposed of his interest and engaged in farming; he has seventy-six acres of land, situated at Downs Station, with good buildings. His marriage with Harriet L. Adams was celebrated July 3, 1877; she was born in Downs Township. McLean Co., Jan. 12, 1859; they have one child by this unions - Charles Elmer, born May 16, 1878. Mrs. Cowden is a daughter of Wiyett Adams, who now lives in Downs Township, and whose biography appears among the sketches of this work.