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December 16, 1927
C. H. Cowan Dies Near Town
Charles H. Cowan, 87 years old, one of the oldest men in the Lebanon vicinity, died at his home two miles north of Lebanon, Tuesday evening, December 6, 1927.
Mr. Cowan was a true type of a Southern Christian gentleman, and in hs days of activity made a world of friends that he held all through the days that he was unable to mingle with them.
Years ago Mr. Cowan made due preparation to embark upon that delightful journey, and a more welcome guest never entertered that home of many mansions.
At the time of the Civil War he enlisted while in his teens to battle for the Southland, and as a member of the 16th cavalry saw considerable service on the field where man's courage was given the supreme test. His genial manner always attracted the attention and admiration of a large circile of friends, and the memory of such a citizen will linger as a precious recollection to all who knew him.
The funeral was conducted from his late home North of town Thursday and he now sleeps in the family plot where many of his kin are buried.
The following children survive:
Charlie and Dave Cowan, Mrs. George H. Banner, Mrs. Will Gilmore, Mrs. S.W. Banner and Mrs. John Burns.
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March 2, 1928
Charles H. Cowan
The subject of this sketch, C. H. Cowan, Sr., was born Nov. 5, 1839, peacefully departed this life December 6, 1927, aged 88 years, 1 month and 1 day. His mother was a Miss Gilmer, one from the well known Gilmer family of Russell county. He was the last of a family of 13 children.
He was a son of the South - fought under the command of the greatest of all military leaders, namely, Robert. E. Lee. All who thus fought are noble sons of Dixie Land.
While a young man Mr. Cowan was fortunate in winning the hand of Miss Sarah Elizabeth Vermillion, Lebanon, Va., to whom he was married while they were both young. This faithful wife and devoted mother slipped away to the House of many Mansions, January 14, 1924, leaving husband the the following children: Mrs. W. C. Gilmore, of Bluefield, W. Va.: Mrs. S. W. Banner, Mrs. G. H. Banner, Mrs. J. J. Burns, D. R. Cowan, and C. H. Cowan, jr.
Mr. Cowan was not a stranger in a strange land. His home for many years was in the midst of the beautiful hills of Russell county, one mile north of Lebanon. These hills to him were templed hills, guarded by history of an illustrious past. The people who lived here were his people, their God was his God.
Of all these good people there was none dearer to him than Rev. Billie Gilmer, a local preacher in the Methodist church, South. He was the father of W. W. Gilmer, of Lebanon. The writer on his first visit to see Mr. Cowan, was told about a mysterious meeting that had taken place between Mr. Cowan and brother Gilmer. This man of God spoke words that found their way to a sinner's heart.
Mr. Cowan turned himself homeward, only to have another mysterious meeting. On the hill now keeping watch over his grave, he met the Saviour of men, who spoke to him and said "Thy sins are fogiven thee, go in peace. He joined the Presybyterian church at Lebanon. Since his joining the Presbyterian church at Lebanon, the church has been dissolved, but he lived in faith a Presbyterian to the end. He was true to that faith, which is triniterian and Calvinistic.
His going was not a surprise, for he haulted between the crosslights of two worlds for more than five years without a murmur. His passing was at a ripe old age, but short in comparison with eternity. May be all be ready to enter into the rest that remaineth for the people of God.
J. G. HELVEY.
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