My Genealogy Hound

Dr. Robert B. Cowan, son of Robert B. and Susan B. (Lenox) Cowan, was born in Phelps County, Mo. Robert B. Cowan, Sr., was born in Virginia, near Pilot Knob, received a good education, and practiced medicine for many years after coming to Missouri. He settled in Phelps County, and here died in 1869. Susan B. Lenox was born in Phelps County, Mo. (then Pulaski County), and was there married to Mr. Cowan, bearing him eight children: Elizabeth C., wife of Dr. W. W. Lenox; David E., Robert B., William H., John W., Travis J., Francis M. and Margaret. Mrs. Cowan is now living near Edgar Springs, and is fifty-two years of age. Grandfather Cowan was a native of Virginia, as was also his wife; there they lived and died. Grandfather Lenox and wife were born in Kentucky, immigrated to Missouri about 1821, and settled in Crawford County, where Mr. Lenox built the first mill in that county. Dr. Robert B. Cowan was reared at Edgar Springs, this county, and received his education at the Springs. He remained on his father’s farm until twenty years of age, when he began the study of medicine under Dr. S. F. Arthur, where he remained for a short time. After that he studied under Dr. Lenox, of Lake Springs, for six months. He then graduated from the Missouri Medical College in March, 1881, after which he located in Spring Creek for a short time. He then came to Relfe, but after remaining for four years engaged in the practice of his profession, he moved to Edgar Springs, where he remained only a short time, and then moved back to Relfe. Dr. Cowan was married September 9, 1885, to Mrs. Sallie J. Bradford, daughter of L. L. and Amanda Coppedge. They have no children. Dr. Cowan is a member of the Rolla District Medical Association, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F., and is a Democrat in politics. He gives his entire attention to the practice of his profession.