HERMAN MAN, 89, BURIED AT SERVICE THURS.

Homesteaded Near Herman in March, 1869; Sexton 17 Years

The close of nearly a century of living was marked last Thursday afternoon, July 1, when funeral services were held in Herman for William McCowan, 89. Burial was made in the Herman cemetery, which Mr. McCowan had served as sexton for a period of seventeen years.

Ill only a week as the result of a heart attack, Mr. McCowan had attained the age of 89 years, 8 months and 20 days. He will be greatly missed by a wide circle of friends made during his 74 years of residence in the Herman community.

The deceased was an only son, born in Glasgow, Scotland on October 29, 1853, and coming to this country with his mother at the age of four in 1857. His mother had lost her husband and two daughters before coming to America; she was anxious, however, that the New World should be open to her only son, and she braved the ocean crossing alone. They settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in March, 1869 they moved to Nebraska, homesteading six miles southwest of Herman. Later they bought and lived on an eighty acre tract between Spiker and Blair.

On Thanksgiving Day, 1877, William McCowan was united in marriage at Blair to Miss Nancy Spiker. Three children, all of whom are now residents of Herman, were born to their union; they are Samuel L. McCowan, Miss Ida McCowan and Mrs. Ed Hoover.

In March, 1911, McCowan bought an acreage southwest of Herman where he had made him his home ever since. For a period of 17 years he was sexton at the Herman cemetery.

Besides his children, Mr. McCowan leaves three grandchildren, four great grandchildren, numerous relatives and a large host of friends to mourn his loss.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #99158675