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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of Buffalo & Pepin Counties, Wisconsin - Vol. 1
pub. H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, MN - 1919

         [page 127-128]

         GEORGE COWIE, an early settler of Buffalo county, and for
       nearly sixty years actively identified with the life, growth,
       and progress of Glencoe and vicinity, was born near Edinburgh,
       Scotland, Aug. 25, 1828, son of GEORGE (SR.) and JANET
       (MCDONALD) COWIE, both of ancient Scotch-Highland ancestry.
       Like many of his countrymen, GEORGE COWIE early became a miner,
       working as a youth in the iron and coal regions of his native
       land. In 1848 he came to America, and continued the same occu-
       pation, first in Nova Scotia, and later in Pottsville, Pa. Jan.
       5, 1850, he set sail from New York, crossed the Isthmus of
       Panama, and at Aspinwall took passage on the "Winfield Scott".
       Then ensued a most eventful voyage. The boat was an old one,
       crowded with 1,000 passengers; yellow fever and cholera broke
       out, 300 were stricken, and seventy-five died and were buried
       at sea. Upon reaching California, MR. COWIE engaged in mining
       in Nevada county, later going to other regions. After about a
       year on the Pacific Coast, he returned by way of the Nicaragua
       route, and again took up his work in Pottsville. Next he moved
       to Lanaconing, Allegany county, Maryland. It was in the spring
       of 1855 that he set out for Wisconsin, going by rail to West
       Virginia, thence by the Ohio river to Cairo, and thence by
       steamer to what is now Fountain City. From there he found his
       way immediately to the beautiful region to which he gave the
       name of Glencoe, in honor of the valley of Glencoe in Scotland,
       the home of the McDONALDS, from which clan, on his mother's
       side, he was descended. Purchasing government land at $1.25 an
       acre, he at once set about developing a farm. When the post-
       office at Glencoe was established in 1862, MR. COWIE became the
       postmaster, and served for twenty-seven years. His place thus
       became an important center of influence throughout this region,
       and he himself became a man of much importance, frequently con-
       sulted on all matters of importance relating to this part of
       Buffalo and Trempealeau counties. He assisted in the organiza-
       tion of the town of Glencoe, and for six years served as its
       chairman, as well as in various other local positions. In 1872
       and 1873 he served in the legislature, being the first Democrat
       elected to that body from this county. In November, 1894, after
       nearly half a century on the farm, MR. COWIE reluctantly retired,
       and with his good wife moved to Arcadia. He died Feb. 17, 1904,
       while visiting his daughter, Mrs. F. P. Taft, at Longmont, Cal.
       His wife died May 29, 1913, at the family homestead in Glencoe.
       GEORGE COWIE was married at Pottsville, Pa., to MARGARET FAULDS,
       daughter of JAMES FAULDS, who, with his son and daughter, JOHN
       and ELIZABETH FAULDS, came to Wisconsin with the COWIE family.
       Mr. and Mrs. COWIE had twelve children: DAVID, FRANK, NETTIE,
       ANNA, GEORGE, LEWIS, JAMES (deceased), GEORGE M., ALLAN J.,
       ALBERT E., ROBERT S. and MARGARET M. (deceased).

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