My Genealogy Hound

George D. Cowdin, a prominent farmer of Oakland County, president of the Monitor Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Oakland County, and the owner of a fine estate in section 13, Brandon township, was born at Avon, New York, October 21, 1835. He is a son of Addison and Bethiah (Douglas) Cowdin, who came to Oakland County in 1836, locating on the farm which forms a part of our subject’s present property.

Addison Cowdin was born in New Hampshire, and lived there until the age of eight years, when he removed with his parents to New York where he was married. He was a highly respected man of his time and locality and held numerous township offices. He was long a justice of the peace and was familiarly known as “Deacon” Cowdin. His wife belonged to the religious body known as “Close Communion” Baptists, but the family attended and liberally supported the Congregational Church at Oakwood, there being no Baptist congregation at the time. His death occurred in 1888 at the age of 81 years. The mother of our subject was born at Avon, New York, in 1809 and died in Oakland County at the age of 87 years. Some of her relatives reside in Troy township. George D. Cowdin is one of a family of seven children born to his parents, four of whom are deceased, namely: Eliza, Yates, Carlos and Ada. The other survivors are: Hannah, widow of Henry Fitch and a resident of Independence township, Oakland County; and Omer, who resides with our subject.

George D. Cowdin was reared and educated in Oakland County, where he has always made his home, with the exception of some two years spent in the West. The summers of 1859, 1860 and 1861 were spent in the mountains of Colorado, and in New Mexico, traveling, hunting and prospecting, during which time he had many adventures. Upon his return to Oakland County he was married in 1863 to Martha Frances, who was born July 1, 1846, in Macomb County, and is a daughter of William Frances. Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cowdin located on our subject’s present farm, where he erected a comfortable residence. Mr. Cowdin owns 200 acres of land in sections 12, 13 and 14, carries on general farming, stock raising and is much interested in fruit culture. Under his able management, his property presents a very attractive appearance.

Mr. and Mrs. Cowdin have a family of five children, viz: Mae; Roy, a farmer of Lapeer County, Michigan, spent four very successful years in the vicinity of Dawson City, Alaska, — he was married to Emma Taylor; and Addison, Ernest and Frank, who are living at home. Three children are deceased, namely: Edith, who died at the age of 16 years; Merton, at the age of nine months; and Claire, aged three months.

Mr. Cowdin is a Republican and has served a number of terms as supervisor and a long period as a justice of the peace. For 15 years he has been the able president of the Monitor Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Oakland County, and has been its township agent since the organization of the company and a director until his election to the presidency. This company was organized in 1871, was re-organized in 1901 and does business exclusively in Oakland County, where it is held in high regard.

Mr. Cowdin joined the Masonic lodge at Oakwood when 23 years old and was master of the lodge for 14 years. He belongs also to Groveland Tent, Knights of the Maccabees, at Ortonville. He has been a member of the Grange since its organization 30 years ago, and of the Farmers’ Club, which helped in the organization of the Oxford Club. Mrs. Cowdin is an active member of the Congregational Church, which has found in Mr. Cowdin a very liberal supporter.