SAM P. COWGER, County Clerk, was born in Union Township, this county, February 29, 1844. His father, Jacob Cowger, was born in Pendleton County, Va., June 2, 1814. He was married, August 20, 1834, to Miss Sarah A. Bolton, also a native of Pendleton County, and born February 19, 1815. Four weeks after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. C. came to this county, it being then in its state of nature. Here there were six children born to them- Ann, E. (deceased), M. R., Ruth A., Sam P., M. W. and J. B. Mr. Cowger died May 18, 1877; his widow survives and resides in Monticello. Sam P. Cowger, from about 1862 until 1870, was chiefly engaged at clerking in Monticello. In April of that latter year, he entered the County Clerk's office, and a year later was appointed Deputy. In 18T4, he was candidate for County Clerk on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated; the next three years he was engaged in the drug business, during which time he served one year as Town Councilman and one year as Town Clerk. In 1878, he again became candidate for County- Clerk, and was elected by a majority of 117, and in November, 1882, re-elected by a majority of 483. Mr. C. is still a Democrat, and a Knight of Pythias. He was married, March, 19, 1873, t4 Miss Alice J. Lear, daughter of John H. Lear, of Monticello. Two children were born to this union-Norma L. (deceased), and Raeburn.

Back to the White County Biographies Main Page