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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 401]

     EUGENE COWLES, deceased, during his life-time justly won a place
     in the biographical record of his county, as well as in the hearts
     of his fellow-citizens and brothers at the legal bar of Cherokee
     County. Never did the hand of death strike down one more highly
     honored and universally beloved, or one whose demise awoke more
     genuine sorrow in the public heart. Mr. Cowles was born in New
     Haven, Vermont, March 10, 1835, where he grew to manhood. He there
     distinguished himself as the brightest of his class in school. On
     leaving Vermont he entered a commercial college in Chicago, as he
     intended pursuing some business enterprise. There he received an
     excellent training, but having a love for the study of the law,
     he entered an office at Bellevue, Iowa, and was admitted to the
     bar in 1858. The next year he was married to Miss Julia Potter,
     who for twenty years lived with him a life of happiness such as
     but few realize. The marriage was blessed with two daughters who
     grew  to womanhood: Eugenie and Harriet. After practicing law a
     few years, Mr. Cowles entered the grain business at Dubuque, Iowa,
     but again in 1870 we find him engaged in the practice of his chosen
     profession at Cherokee, Iowa, where he resided until death overtook
     him in the full vigor and prime of his manhood, July 26, 1880. He
     was few months past forty-five years of age, and was ill but a few
     hours. As a citizen no man stood higher than he, and he was fore-
     most in every work tending to benefit the community. He was truly
     a charitable man, but he gave so unostentatiously that only his
     most intimate friends knew the goodness of his heart. He ministered
     to the poor and distressed, not to be seen of men, but to relieve
     and sustain the needy. Mr. Cowles was an active Mason, and was
     buried by that order. The merchants of the city closed their places
     of business as a last tribute to his noble manhood, knowing full
     well that one of Cherokee's best men had passed from earth. The
     newspapers throughout the Northwest gave extended obituary notices,
     and the home papers were heavily draped in turned "column rules,"
     as a sign of deep mourning.

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