From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 255.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


W. J. W. COWDEN

W. J. W. Cowden, son of the above, when only seventeen years of age 
enlisted in a Lawrence county, Penn., company, and was engaged in 
guard duty about one year.  Subsequently he entered Westminster 
college, New Wilmington, Penn., and was graduated, with the degree of 
A. M., in June, 1871. In the following September, having concluded to 
adopt the profession of law, he came to Wheeling, and began reading 
with Hon. W. P. Hubbard.  In October, 1872, he was admitted to the 
bar and began a successful practice.  The arena of politics, in which 
he became distinguished, was entered by him in 1874, and he began a 
career of most distinguished service for the republican party.  He 
was appointed secretary of the state central committee in 1876, and 
again in 1880.  During the memorable campaigns of 1884 and 1888, he 
held the important position of chairman of that committee.  He was 
also chairman of the first congressional district committeee during 
the campaigns of 1878 and 1886.  Mr. Cowdan has taken a prominent 
part in the various local enterprises, was one of the organizers of 
the Warwick China company in 1887, of which he is now a stockholder, 
and was one of the organizers and is a stockholder of the Dollar 
Savings bank of Wheeling.  He was married in 1875, at Dallas, 
Marshall county, to Sallie Kimmins, who died in January, 1877, 
leaving no children.  In April, 1882, he was married to Lucy, 
daughter of Rev. Dr. McClure, of Wheeling, and they have one 
daughter.     


(Linda Fluharty)