Cowley -
Sandra,
You just made a comment on my tree and I will outline here what i have. I have George Cowley on my tree which may be a match for you, although the info i have is a bit different.

Patrick Cowley (abt 1821 Ireland - 1890 Ontario Co, NY) married twice 1. Jane Maley (abt 1832 Ire - 1860 NY) 2. Elizabeth Maley (abt 1841 Ire - 1865 Illinois).
Patrick & Jane Cowley had 2 children: Michael (1856 NY - 1917 NY) and Ellen Cowley Madden (1851 NY - 1920 NY).
Patrick & Elizabeth Cowley had one son, John Cowley (1863 Illinois - 1941 NY).

Michael Cowley married twice: 1. Elizabeth Seward (1851-1940) 2. Bertha (unknown maiden name) 1869 Germany - 1951 NY. Michael Cowley was your grandfather, you said in a comment on my tree.

Michael & Bertha Cowley had 3 sons: Leslie (1894 Illinois - 1970 NY), Walter (1896 - 1971 NY), and George Francis Cowley (1899 NY - 1963 NY). This George, who is in my tree, was a nurse in Rochester, NY, according to census and directory records.

This information was pieced together from records on ancestry, family stories, local church records, and newspaper accounts. I am descended from Ellen Cowley Madden. That would make Patrick Cowley and Jane Maley Cowley our common ancestors, if this is correct. There is an Illinois connection because Patrick Cowley's family lived on the prairie of Illinois 1861 - 1865, during the Civil War. The family continued connections to Illinois, but I am not sure exactly how.

I hope this is helpful to you!