Robert S. Cowie
Robert S. Cowie, attorney of Whitehall, is one of the best known citizens in Western Wisconsin, and for many years has taken an active and influential part in public affairs. He has held national, state and county appointments, and as an attorney has participated in many of the most important cases that have been tried in the courts of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. He was born in Glencoe, Buffalo County, this state, April 18, 1872, son of George and Margaret (Faulds) Cowie, was educated in the public schools, and while still a youth became a teacher. By this means he was enabled to enter the law department of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL.B. in 1894. While in the university he took a deep interest in all student activities, and was especially prominent in the Columbia Literary Society. In the fall of 1894 he located at Arcadia, as a partner of Attorney John C. Gaveney. There he successfully practiced until Jan. 1, 1898, when he became district attorney, a position in which he did the county most efficient service. While serving his second term he resigned to accept an appointment by President Theodore Roosevelt as deputy auditor in the United States Navy Department, in which position he served from 1903 to 1905, when he resigned. In the spring of 1905 he was elected county judge, and served with much distinction from Jan. 1, 1906, to July, 1909, when he was appointed a member of the State Board of Control by Gov. James O. Davidson. At the expiration of his term he established himself at Whitehall, where he has since been in practice. His business holdings include stock in the John O. Melby & Co. Bank at Whitehall, the Central Trading Association of Whitehall and the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Independence. His fraternal associations are with the Masonic, Elk and Odd Fellow lodges. Judge Cowie was married Dec. 25, 1897, to Kathryn F. Melby, born in Arcadia, April 1, 1878, daughter of John O. and Jennie (Beach) Melby. This union has been blessed with one daughter, Janice M., born Dec. 31, 1900.
(from HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY WISCONSIN
Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Edited by Eben Douglas Pierce, M.D.
H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.
Chicago and Winona 1917)
(from HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY WISCONSIN
Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Edited by Eben Douglas Pierce, M.D.
H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.
Chicago and Winona 1917)