Dr. Gustavus Marion Cowger

COWGER, DOWNEY, GOODMAN

Posted By: IRISH EYES ARE SMILING (email)
Date: 6/14/2021 at 18:47:08

Courtesy of: PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA PG. 345~346

G.M. Cowger M.D.; one of the highly esteemed professional gentlemen of Wapello County resides in Marysville. He is a native of Rush County Ind; where he was born Dec. 10, 1837; his parents being J.D. and Sarah Downey Cowger; natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively.

To them were born a family of 9 children; five of whom were sons. Dr. Cowger died Aug. 12, 1885 and his remains were enterred at Marysville. The mother is still living and although at the age of 75 years; is enjoying good health.

Dr. Cowger was raised principally on a farm in this county; where his father moved in 1846. At that time he purchased 320 acres of raw prairie land where he moved and began its improvements. This of course required hard work by every member of the family. There were three brothers and four sisters of his fathers family; now living; D.H. is a farmer; living in Washington County Kansas, Henry living in Competine Township and is also engaged in farming; Sarah is married and lives in this county; Lucinda; now Mrs. Bradon lives in Keokuk County; of this state, Amanda is now the wife of Charles Thompson and lives in Norton County Kansas and Precilla; now Mrs. Houdyshell; lives in Rice County Kansas.

During the trying days of our countrys peril; Dr. Cowger enlisted in her defense. He was a member of Co. E 17th Ia Vol Inf. The last engagement was at Luka; the next at Ft. Gibson, Mississippi, and the next at Raymond. The same state being with Grant in his famous battles on the way to Vicksburg. On May 14, 1863; he took part in the engagement of Jackson, Mississippi; where he was wounded in the left hip; which was so severe; and required the amputation of the left leg above the knee which was done in the morning of the 15th and in the afternoon of the same day the Confederates captured the city of Jackson.He was thus taken prisoner and remained in charge of the enemy there for four weeks. He was then put in a stock car with others and taken to Richmond, Virginia and was consigned to Old Libby Prison; a second in its inhumane treatment to Andersonville and remained there until the 22nd of December, 1863 and was discharged and sent to his home in Wapello County.

After his return home our subject began the study of medicine since which time he has been greatly devoted to his profession and regarded as one of its most worthy members. He studied under D.E.H. Downey of Jefferson County Iowa for two years; but has always been quite a student; trying to make the most of his honored profession. He was a member of The I.O.O. FAD and as expected the GAR.

December 11, 1873; Dr. Cowger and Rebecca Goodman were related in marriage. To them have been born 3 children; namely Argolin who was born Feb. 28, 1875; Chester Sept. 14, 1878 and Nellie Mae March 27, 1884.