San Joaquin County
Biographies
WILLIAM WALLACE COWELL
W. W. COWELL, City Treasurer
and Tax Collector of Stockton, is a native of Cayuga County, New York, born
August 23, 1849, his parents being Myron and Melvina
Ann (Sanders) Cowell. He resided in New York State
until eighteen years of age, when the family removed to Virginia, locating
about twenty-three miles from Richmond. He remained with his parents until he
had reached the age of twenty-three years, and during the latter part of the
time managed the family farm. He then went to Washington, District of Columbia,
and entered the employ, as clerk, of J. J. Shipman, in the grocery and
provision business. The business was purchased by Samuel Tyler, son of Dr.
Tyler, and with the new proprietor Mr. Cowell
remained until 1876. In February, 1877, he came out to California and located
in Stockton. An opportunity presenting itself, he engaged in the milk business
for C. Hurd, which employed his attention for fifteen
months. After that he started a free delivery of mail matter among the business
men of Stockton, and it was continued successfully until the Government
carriers took the business away. Mr. Cowell carried
on the mail delivery nearly two years, then embarked
in business on El Dorado street, in partnership with Miss E. F. Sanders. In
1882 he was chosen as Deputy County Assessor; after he had served two years in
that capacity he was elected City Assessor, which
office he held two years. He was then appointed Deputy City Assessor. He still
continued in his capacity of Deputy County Assessor, and the following year was
elected City Treasurer and Tax Collector. He served as Deputy County Assessor
in all six years. In May, 1889, he was elected as City Treasurer and Tax
Collector, and assumed the duties of the office June 1, 1889, and will hold
until the last of May, 1891. Mr. Cowell has had the
Stockton agency of the San Francisco Examiner since July 1, 1888, and
has nearly doubled the local circulation. He also handles the Stockton Independent,
San Francisco Call, Bulletin, Post and Report.
Mr. Cowell
has been twice married, first to Miss May Thresher, who died in this city. His
present wife was formerly Miss Alma Howard. They have one child - Howard.
Mr. Cowell
is a member of the Knights of Honor and the American Legion of Honor. He is a
pushing and enterprising business man, and as an official commands the respect
of the community.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Page 463. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Genealogy Databases