My Genealogy Hound

REV. WILLIAM F. COWDEN. William F. Cowden, A. M., was born June 22, 1834, at New Bedford, Lawrence county, Pa. At the age of seventeen he commenced his academic education, which he continued, teaching at intervals till 1856. In the autumn of that year he entered Jefferson College at Cannonsburg, Pa., whence he graduated in 1858. He then resumed teaching at Athens, Ky., which he continued until 1861, when the civil war closed his school. While teaching he studied law during two years, but in 1860 he became a member of the Baptist Church, and abandoned his purpose of entering the legal profession. In the summer of 1862 he entered the theological department of the University at Lewisburg, Pa., whence he graduated with the degree of A. M. in 1864. In that year he was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church at Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pa., and in 1871 he was called to the pastorate of the Baptist Church at New Castle, Pa.

In 1871 a majority of his church withdrew and formed a union with the Disciples, or Christian Church, of New Castle, and Mr. Cowden was made pastor of the United Church. He remained in that relation till 1881, when he was called to the pastorate of the Main Street Christian Church at Lexington, Ky. Dec. 1, 1884, he became pastor of the First Christian Church in Allegheny, a position he still occupies. In his ministry he has always been successful.

He was married June 29, 1859, to Miss Mary J. Rice, of Poland, Ohio, and they have two sons and two daughters, all of whom have attained to manhood and womanhood. He is the historian in this work of the Christian Church in Allegheny county.