MEARS: Louisa 'Lizzie' (Mears0 Cowan

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KEDEY/KIDDY - MEARS - MELTON - SHARP -YOUNG

Louisa Erva 'Lizzie' (Mears) Cowan

My Great Great Aunt

d/o William F. Mears and Frances Elizabeth Young


Louisa Erva 'Lizzie' (Mears) and Alfred Cowan

Louisa Erva 'Lizzie' (Mears) Cowan

--b. March 24, 1837 Cannon Co., TN
--d. November 18, 1917 Marion Co., AR
----buried Cowan Barren Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
--m. Alfred H. COWAN
--November 5, 1856 Marion Co., AR
----b. February 2, 1839 Marion Co., AR
----d. abt 1923 Water Twp, Marion Co., AR
------buried Cowan Barren Cemetery, Marion Co. AR
------s/o John Wesley Cowan and Margaret P. STARNES
--------gs/o Silas Cowan and Phildera BURNS
--------gs/o Nicholas Starnes and Barbara WINTERS

* * * * *

Background Information

Lizzie, as she was known, was 17 when her parents moved to Marion Co., AR from Cannon Co., TN. When I first started my research, many used to say her middle name was Elizabeth. However, when I received the Bible record, it clearly says Erva. Lizzie is a nickname derived from Louisa.

The Cowans were from Scotland and had come to the colonies before the Revolutionary War. Margaret, Alfred's mother, is said to have been 1/2 Cherokee. Her father, Nicholas Starnes, married Barbara Winters in 1816 in Rhea Co, TN. Nicholas fought in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

Alfred also fought in the civil war with the confederacy, enlisting in Co. C, 14th AR Infantry on 9 July 1861 as a private.

Per Newspaper Abstract, Marion County, Arkansas - Mountain Echo Newspaper, September 1888:

"Mr. A. H. Cowan, of the Cowan barrens, gave us yesterday a few samples of his peach crop. They were the largest we have seen and were very toothsome. The editor and the "devil" both extend thanks, Mr. Cowan."

I find this especially interesting as Lizzie's brother, G. W. Mears, my ancestor and his wife, were known for their peach orchards in Texas.

In a book, called Southeast Marion, a soft bound family history written by the granddaugther of Emily Duren but in Emily's own words in the 1930's states:

"Among the real pioneer families that I just now remember about were the Cowans, the Mears, the Porters, the Wilsons, the Burnes, the Adams, and the Goodalls... As some of these had more or less Cherokee blood in them (of which they were proud), I suspect they came in very early, while the Cherokees owned this section of Arkansas."

"Alfred Cowan, son of John and Peggy, [Margaret "Peggy" Starnes], married Elizabeth Mears, daughter to pioneer William Mears..."

"Pioneer William Mears had a very large family - fourteen in all; but three of them stayed back in the old state - Tennessee. I know the following; Caroline married John Gilliam; Martha Ann married Uncle Black Henry Doshier; Elizabeth married Alfred Cowan; Lucinda married James McCabe; Margaret married James McCabe's brother, Thomas; Melvina married John Harris; Mary married Dave Faulkenberry... Julia married John Williams..."

"Of the Mears boys, I remember Mark, Bluford and Wash. Mark married Katy Ingram; Bluford married Betty Brushears; Wash left here. Think he married in Texas."

As we've already seen, the Wash Mears is my direct ancestor and he did indeed marry in Texas.

* * * * *

Official Records

* * * * *

Burial

Cowan Cemetery Entrance 1 Cowan Cemetery Entrance 2

Alfred H. Cowan's tombstone Lizzie (Mears) Cowan Tombstone

* * * * *

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Bea Wey who contributed the Bible record. Would like to thank Myrtle Ellen (Dean) Adams (1970), Ronald Weaver (1971), and Scott Cowan (1970), Brandy Freiger for their help with information on this family. And a special hug to Cindy Mears who located the picture above which she received several years from Louisa's great granddaughter, Phyllis Ratjen. This picture, in reality, is actually a wall painting and is quite big.


Children of Louisa Erva Mears and Alfred H. Cowan


  1. Martha Ann (Cowan) Dean

    --b. November 15, 1857 Marion Co., AR
    --d. October 16, 1931 Sidney, TX
    --m. George Richard DEAN
    --August 1, 1875 Yellville, Marion Co., AR
    ----b. April 17, 1854 Yellville, Marion Co. AR
    ----d. April 27, 1932 Sidney, TX
    ------s/o Jackson Dean and Elizabeth 'Betsy' HURST


    Children of Martha Ann Cowan and George Richard Dean


    1. Caldonia Manda 'Callie' (Dean) Horner

      --(May 13, 1876 Marion Co., AR - May 15, 1960)
      --m. C. Floyd Horner October 27, 1895 Marion Co., AR
      ----(abt 1876 Marion Co., AR - Unknown)


    2. Mary Elizabeth 'May' (Dean)Luker

      --(October 2, 1877 Marion Co., AR - August 17, 1971)
      --m. George Washington LUKER


    3. Helen (Dean) Weaver

      --(March 2, 1879 Marion Co., AR - August 15, 1971 Castro Co., TX)
      --m. William Mason WEAVER Septmember 1904 Marion Co,. AR
      ----(Septmeber 30, 1872 Alabama - Unknown)


    4. Felix Garland Dean

      --(February 17, 1880 Marion Co., AR - August 8, 1959)
      --m. Sallie FRANKLIN


    5. James Walter Dean

      --(November 29, 1883 Marion Co., AR - September 16, 1895 Marion Co., AR)


    6. Silas Benson Dean

      --(February 21, 1888 Marion Co., AR - April 23, 1961)
      --m. Sallie Lou MATHIS


    7. Myrtle Ellen (Dean)Adams

      --(July 16, 1892 Marion Co., AR - August 9, 1979 Marion Co., AR)
      ----buried Layton Cemetery, Yellville, Marion Co,. AR
      --m/1 Audie V. 'Aud' MELTON November 5, 1911 Sidney, Texas
      ----(February 15, 1893 Marion Co., AR - 1955)
      ------s/o James Melton and Nancy REID
      --m/1 John Quincy ADAMS, Jr. September 30, 1964 Marion Co., AR
      ----(September 5, 1887 Marion Co., AR - November 30, 1968 Marion Co,. AR)
      ------s/o John Quincy Adams, Sr. and Nancy KEETER


  2. Mary Catharine R. (Cowan) Thompson

    --b. June 21, 1861 Marion Co., AR
    --d. 1937 Arkansas
    --m. John Hamilton THOMPSON --November 11, 1880 Marion Co., AR
    ----b. July 21, 1857 Pikesville, AR
    ----d. Nov 11, 1936 Batesville, Independence Co.AR
    ------s/o John Thompson and Emily PAYNE


    Children of Mary Catharine R. Cowan and John Hamilton Thompson


    1. Louisa Amelia 'Lula' (Thompson) Cowdrey

      --(December 12, 1881 Marion Co., AR - Unknown)
      --m. Ernest COWDREY
      ----(November 1878 Marion Co., AR - Unknown)


    2. Minnie Bell (Thompson) Hickerson

      --(July 7, 1884 Marion Co,. AR - Unknown)
      --m. Dale V. HICKERSON May 2, 1913 Marion Co., AR
      ----(1888 - Unknown)


    3. Laura Gertrude (Thomspon) Brodie

      --(April 6, 1886 Marion Co., AR - Unknown)
      --m. William C. BRODIE December 9, 1904 Marion Co,. AR
      ----(abt 1882 - Unknown)


    4. Anne Elizabeth Thompson

      --(January 22, 1888 Marion Co., AR - Unknown)


    5. John Harrison 'Harry' Thompson

      --(January 23, 1891 Marion Co., AR - May 1963 AR)


    6. Beatrice 'Bea' (Thompson) Wey

      --(Decmeber 7, 1892 Marion Co., AR - Unknown)
      --m. James Philip WEY


  3. Laura Angeline (Cowan) Dunlap

    --b. August 12, 1863 Marion Co. AR
    --d. March 6, 1949 Marion Co. AR
    --m. John Reese DUNLAP
    --Nov 11, 1880 Manchester, TN
    ----b. Aug 11, 1858 GA
    ----d. July 9, 1930 Marion Co., AR)
    ------s/o John Dunlap and Elizabeth Unknown


    Children of Laura Angeline Cowan and John Reese Dunlap


    1. Louella (Dunlap) Rolen

      --(October 15, 1881 AR - January 7, 1969)
      --m. Joe Q. ROLEN


    2. Anna Virginia (Dunlap) Riston

      --(December 21, 1883 Marion Co., AR - December 26, 1970)
      --m. Bine K. LISTON


      Omar Dunlap Family

    3. Omar Alexander Dunlap

      --b. Sept 13, 1885 Yellville, Marion Co. AR
      --d. June 30, 1965 Cleveland, Oklahoma
      --m. Lillie Myrtle SUTTERFIELD
      --Aug 31, 1911
      ----b. Oct 26, 1892
      ----d. July 12, 1984 AR)

      Omar Alexander Dunlap and wife Lillie (Sutterfield)
      Sons - John W., Preston and Jerry
      Taken about 1931
      Contributed by Michele Dunlap


    4. Essie Lee (Dunlap) Jones

      --(June 1, 1889 Searcy Co., AR - February 1974 Searcy Co. AR)
      --m. Clarence Oscar JONES March 1, 1914 Searcy Co., AR
      ----(February 18, 1888 Colorado - March 22, 1969 Searcy Co., AR)
      ------s/o Charles T. Jones and Hannah PATTERSON


    5. Arthur J. Dunlap

      --(August 10, 1891 Marion Co., AR - March 1979 Bates Co., MO)
      --m. Lucy STEELE
      ----(June 13, 1899 - July 1987 Bates Co., MO)


    6. Hugh Densmore Dunlap

      --(January 1, 1894 Marion Co., AR - August 6, 1909 Searcy Co., AR)


    7. Bernice (Dunlap) Hicks

      --(March 24, 1904 Searcy Co., AR - Unknown)
      --m. Roscoe HICKS November 6, 1921 Mario Co., AR


  4. John William Cowan

    --b. January 2, 1867 Marion Co. AR
    --d. Unknown
    --m. Edwina Lee 'Emma' LEWALLEN
    --January 17, 1889 Marion Co., AR


    Children of John William Cowan and Edwina Lee Lewallen


    1. Willie Bell Cowan


    2. Elizabeth Nell Cowan


    3. Charles Henry Cowan


    4. Mildred N. Cowan

      --died as child


    5. Rachel R. Cowan

      --died as child


    6. Alfred H. Cowan

      --died as child


    7. John Leroy Cowan


    8. Inez Cowan


    9. Helen Beatrice Cowan


  5. Lou Ella (Cowan) Thompson

    --b. January 2, 1867 Marion Co., AR
    --d. Unnknown
    --m. James Walter 'Jim' THOMPSON
    --December 25, 1886 Marion Co., AR
    ----s/o Gideon Thompson and Margaret ESTES


    Children of Lou Ella Cowan and James Walter 'Jim' Thompson


    1. Mabel Thomspon


    2. Kate Thomspon


    3. Leta Thompson


  6. Caldonia C. 'Calley' Cowan

    --b. March 27, 1869 Marion Co. AR
    --d. November 1870 Marion Co. AR
    ----buried Cowan Cemetery, Marion Co. AR

    * * * * *

    Burial

    Cally's Tombstone


  7. Alexander B. 'Alex' Cowan

    --b. March 26, 1871 Marion Co., AR
    --d. November 28, 1905 Marion Co. AR
    ----buried Cowan Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
    --m. Elnora 'Nora' DOSHIER
    --December 16, 1896 Marion Co., AR
    ----d/o Peter E. Doshier, Jr. and Martha E. THOMPSON
    ------gd/o Peter T. Doshier, Sr. and Mary Annie 'Polly' ELKINS
    --------gt gd/o Wiley Peter Doshier, Sr. and Rebecca HAINES

    * * * * *

    Burial

    Alexander's Tombstone


    Children of Alexander B. Cowan and Elnora 'Nora' Doshier


    1. William Orville McKinley Cowan

      --(February 28, 1898 Marion Co., AR - bef May 1982)
      --m. Bernice Aletha FISK
      ----(March 15, 1916 Marion Co., AR - Decmeber 4, 1993 Washington Co, AR)


    2. Winfred Scott Cowan

      --(November 28, 1901 Marion Co., AR - May 14, 1982 Marion Co, AR)
      --m. Mamie Evelyn CALLAHAN
      --August 9, 1941 Marion Co, AR
      ----(Octoaber 2, 1905 Marion Co., AR - February 16, 1995 Marion Co., AR)
      ------d/o Elonzo Callahan and Maude REID


      Children of Winfred Scott Cowan and Mamie Evelyn Callahan


      1. Linda Kay Cowan

        --(May 3, 1948 Harrison, Boone Co. AR - May 5, 1948 Boone Co., AR)
        ----buried Cowan Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
        Linda Kay's Tombstone


    3. Euna Fay (Cowan)Bruce

      --(December 19, 1903 Marion Co., AR - May 14, 1933 Marion Co., AR)
      --m. William BRUCE May 14, 1933


    4. Alexander B. Cowan, Jr.

      --(May 16, 1906 Marion Co., AR - aft May 1982 probably Santa Ana, California)


  8. Amos H. Cowan

    --b. November 2, 1873 Marion Co. AR
    --d. June 24, 1947 Marion Co., AR
    ----buried Cowan Barrens Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
    --m. Daisy E. DOSHIER
    --January 7, 1906 Marion Co. AR
    ----b. September 12, 1882 Yellville, Marion Co. AR
    ----d. October 30, 1963 Marion Co. AR
    ------buried Cowan Barrens Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
    ------d/o James T. Doshier and Martha DUGGINS
    --------gd/o Peter T. Doshier, Sr. and Mary Annie 'Polly' ELKINS
    ----------gt gd/o Wiley Peter Doshier and Rebecca HAINES

    * * * * *

    Burial

    Aos and Daisy's Tombstone


    Children of Amos H. Cowan and Daisey E. Doshier


    1. Leta I. (Cowan) Petty

      --(May 30, 1907 Marion Co,. AR - August 30, 1944 Arkansas City, Kansas)
      --m. Walter PETTY 1925 Marion Co,. AR


    2. James Elliott 'Abe' Cowan

      --(October 1, 1910 Marion Co., AR - August 14, 1979 Marion Co, AR)
      ----buried Cowan Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
      --m. Obedia JONES
      --November 25, 1933 Marion Co,. AR
      ----(November 9, 1916 Marion Co, AR - February 14, 1998 Baxter Co., AR)
      ------buried Cowan Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
      ------d/o Felix Monroe Jones and Plina Elizabeth TREAT

      * * * * *

      Burial

      James and Obedia's Tombstone


      Children of James Elliott Cowan and Obedia Jones


      1. James Earl Cowan

        --(July 3, 1948 Marion Co. AR - January 7, 1949 Marion Co. AR)
        ----buried Cowan Cemetery, Marion Co., AR
        James Earl's Tombstone


    3. Ella Bernice (Cowan) Jefferson

      --(August 16, 1912 Marion Co,. AR - bef 1995)
      --m. Lester William JEFFERSON March 2, 1929 Marion Co., AR
      ----(September 1, 1905 Marion Co., AR - September 13, 1993 Marion Co, AR)
      ------s/o John Jefferson and Cora NEWTON


    4. Arlene (Cowan) Ott

      --(September 23, 1919 Marion Co, AR - July 19, 1982 Marion Co., AR)
      --m. Albert Eual OTT
      --November 23, 1935 Marion Co,. AR
      ----(March 31, 1914 Marion Co,. AR - July 19, 1995 Marion Co, AR)
      ------buried Cowan Cemetery, Marion Co, AR
      ------s/o John Cleveland 'Cleve' Ott and Ida May BAKER
      --------gs/o Albert Abraham 'Ab' Ott and Barbara Catharine McCABE
      ----------gt gs/o John B. Ott and Sarah OWENS
      ----------gt gs/o James H. 'Jim' McCabe and Lucinda M. MEARS
      ------------gt gt gs/o Andrewy 'Andy' McCabe and Bethaney E. ESTES
      ------------gt gt gs/o William F. 'Billy' Mears and Elizaeth Frances YOUNG
      --------------3rd gt gs/o Gallant Estes and Margaret BARNHILL
      --------------3rd gt gs/o William Mears and Christina MELTON
      --------------3rd gt gs/o Henry Young and Elizabeth KEDEY
      ---------gs/o Charles Baker and Sarah WOOD

      * * * * *

      Burial

      Arlene and Albert's Tombstone


Continue to - William F. Mears Children

for

Lucinda M. (Mears) McCabe


Last modified 12 Jun 2008

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