Col. Calvin Josiah Cowles, one of the oldest and best-known citizens of Western North Carolina, died at his home in Wilkesboro, yesterday morning, between midnight and day, after a lingering illness. He was in his 87th year. The remains will be brought here arriving on the 5:25 train from Greensboro this afternoon, and will be buried at Elmwood soon after they hearch here. The funeral arrangements have not been completed. Rev. Mr. Harris Mallinckrodt will conduct the services.

Col. Calvin J. Cowles was born at Hamptonville, January 6, 1821. He received a common school education and embarked in business with his father. While still a young man he moved to Elkville, Wilkes county, and was a pioneer in the root and herb industry in this State. He built up a fine trade and prospered. When the civil war came on he espoused the cause of the Union, but, being physically incapacitated, he took no part of it. After the surrender of the Southern army he was made postmaster at Wilkesboro, president of the constitution convention of 1868 and later, was appointed assayer of teh United States assay office in Charlotte. President Grant put him in charge of the mint here in 1869 and he remained there until 1855, when he returned to Wilkesboro, where he devoted his time to timber and mineral interests. He was a large holder of valuable lands, owning many acres in Wilkes and adjoining counties.

Col. Cowles was married twice. By the first wife he leaves two children, Col. Calvin D. Cowles, of the United States Army, now stationed at Cardenas, Cuba, and Mr. William D. Cowles, of Charlotte. His second wife, who was daughter of Governor Holden, with five children, survive him. The children are: Mesdames H. V. Horton, Charles Thomas and Ralph Mott, of winston-Salem, and Messrs. Charles H. Cowles, of Wilkesboro, and Sanford Cowles, of Annapolis.

Col. H. C. Cowles, of Statesville, is the only surviving brother of Col. Cowles.

Col. Calvin J. Cowles was a man of fine sense and wide information. He wielded considerable influence just after the civil war.

Col. Calvin D. Cowles is in Cuba. He came here several weeks ago but had to return to his post. The other children will attend the funeral today.

Charlotte Observer
04.02.1907

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Parental links provided by J Deans.