Descendants of Charles Gollihar

Generation One

1. Charles1 Gollihar. Charles was born in 1794 at probably Mercer County, KY. He married ? (--?--) circa 1815. He married Margaret Hoofman at Clark County, AR, on 17 Apr 1831. Charles died between 1860 and 1870 at Wolf Creek Crossing, Burnet County, TX.

Charles Gollihar was probably born in Mercer County, KY. (On the 1930 census returns, 2 of his children--Charles Ashley Gollihar and Laura Gollihar Snider--list their father's birthplace as Ireland. Laura even goes as far as to say it was Dublin, Ireland. This is undoubtedly incorrect, as Charles lists his birthplace as Kentucky on both the 1850 and 1860 censuses. What is more likely is that his father was born in Ireland and Charles was born soon after their arrival in America. This is supported by Laura's contention on the statement that her mother was born in Pennsylvania. Margaret Hoofman Gollihar was born in Illinois, but both of her parents were born in Pennsylvania.) His father is thought to have been Patrick Gallagher, though this is not for certain. His mother, according to Cowan descendants, was Choctaw.
By the mid 1820s, Charles Gollihar and his family had settled in the Terre Noir Township of Clark County, Arkansas, where they were to live for many years. The name of Charles Gollihar's first wife is unknown. She was living at the time of the 1830 census, and there were 4 sons and 2 daughters in the household. Mrs. Charles Gollihar apparently died soon afterwards, as he remarried on April 17, 1831.
The second wife of Charles Gollihar was Margaret Hoofman, daughter of neighboring settlers John Hoofman and Mary M. Plott Hoofman. The Hoofmans were "Black Dutch," or German. In 1837, they purchased a quarter-quarter of Section 3, Township 8 South, Range 22 West. This was not the only tract of land that Gollihar owned in Clark County.
In 1849, the Sheriff of Clark County assessed a fine against Gollihar, though the cause was not stated. In July of 1851, Gollihar received a license to "sell groceries and to retail spirits at his residence." Apparently, he operated a general store and tavern. In November of 1851, Charles Gollihar was called as a witness to the murder trial against John Stuart. In April of 1853, charges were brought against Gollihar himself for murder. While there are no particulars of either case, one wonders if both murder cases were somehow connected with the Gollilhar tavern! Charles Gollihar was apparently incarcerated for some time awaiting trial, as several Clark County residents presents bills for guarding Gollihar. In October of 1853, jurors were chosen for the trial. Apparently Gollihar was acquitted. But also during that month, a charge was brought against Gollihar for "sabbath-breaking." Interestingly, his in-law, William M. Cowan, was called as a witness.
In July of 1854, Charles and Margaret Gollihar sold a quarter-quarter of Section 17 of Township 8 South, Range 22 West to their son Drury W. Gollihar. Sometime after this date, Charles Gollihar and family moved to Texas. At least one of his sons was in Texas as early as 1858. In 1860, Charles Gollihar was living in Falls County, in central Texas. The Gollihars did not live here long. It is thought that Gollihar moved to Burnet County, in the Texas Hill Country. There is one reference on the tax rolls during the 1860s to a "C. M. Golaher" in Burnet County, which may or may not be Charles Golliher.
A grandson, Patrick L. Cowan, remembered that his grandfather died from the result of an Indian attack at Wolf Creek Crossing. This is a low-water crossing on the Colorado River, about 7 miles west of the town of Marble Falls. Gollihar was injured in the attack, but was able to make his escape. He died after reaching home. It is ironic that Gollihar himself was half-Indian.
Patrick L. Cowan recalls that this attack was just before the Battle of Packsaddle Mountain (1873). This battle was the most famous Indian battle in that region of Texas, in not the entire state. It marked the beginning of the end of Indian troubles in the Texas Hill Country. Problems were especially severe in the years immediately following the Civil War. Once the war began, there were obviously no federal troops on the frontier. Texas rangers, loosely associated with the Confederate army, kept control during the war years. But once the war was over, this force was disbanded, and it was several years before U.S. army troops were stationed along the frontier. Also, neither Charles nor Margaret are listed on the 1870 Texas census. It is more likely that Charles Gollihar died in the period between 1865 and 1870.

? (--?--) was born circa 1800. She died in 1830 at Clark County, AR.
Children of Charles1 Gollihar and ? (--?--) were as follows:
2 i. Daughter2 Gollihar was born between 1815 and 1820.
3 ii. Andrew Gollihar was born in 1825. He married Louisa Stroud at Clark County, AR, on 3 Aug 1840.
4 iii. Daughter Gollihar was born between 1825 and 1830.
+ 5 iv. Son Gollihar was born between 1825 and 1830. He married Emily (--?--) circa 1846.
6 v. Son Gollihar was born between 1825 and 1830.
+ 7 vi. William Gollihar was born in 1826 at AR. He married Elizabeth (--?--) circa 1845. He married Nancy (--?--).
Margaret Hoofman. Margaret was born on 25 Apr 1808 at IL. Margaret died after 1860 at TX.
Children of Charles1 Gollihar and Margaret Hoofman were as follows:
+ 8 i. Drury "Drewey"2 Gollihar Drury was born circa 1832 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. He married Martha Cowan, daughter of William M. Cowan and Mary Briant, circa 1860.
9 ii. Isham Crittenden Gollihar. Isham was born circa 1834 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. He married Leoma Colbath on 9 May 1858 at Gillespie County, TX.

The marriage of Isham Crittenden Gollihar to Leoma Colbath in May, 1858 is the first record we have of the Gollihar family in Texas. Gillespie County is in the Texas Hill Country, west of Austin. The Colbaths were old neighbors in Clark County, Arkansas so these families may have migrated together. Isham was also listed as a signer of a petition in nearby Bell County prior to 1860. Neither Isham nor Leoma are listed in the 1860 or any subsequent censuses, of any state or territory. It is presumed that they died as young adults.

+ 10 iii. Nancy Jane Gollihar Nancy was born on 17 Nov 1836 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR.
11 iv. John C. Gollihar. John was born circa 1837 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, TX.
12 v. Louisa E. Gollihar. Louisa was born circa 1838 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR.
+ 13 vi. Marguerite Gollihar Marguerite was born circa 1840 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. She married John Nichols circa 1867.
14 vii. Sarah Ann Gollihar. Sarah was born circa 1842 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR.
15 viii. Grandison D. Gollihar. Grandison was born circa 1843 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. Grandison died in 1864 at TX. He was buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX.

Grandison D. Gollihar enlisted on July 1, 1862 in Company D, 2nd Regiment of Texas Cavalry. He enlisted in San Antonio, Texas. In November, 1863 Gollihar was absent with leave, in Oakwood, Texas. This town is in Leon County, which is adjoins Falls County. This may indicate that his parents were still in that area at that date. Young Gollihar was on the muster rolls as late as February, 1864. He died later in 1864, and is buried with other veterans in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Corpus Christi, on the South Texas Gulf Coast. If he were a Protestant, he would have been buried in the adjoining Protestant cemetery. Either the Gollihars had remained nominal Catholics (which is hardly likely on the Kentucky and Arkansas frontiers in the late 1790s and early 1800s), or as is more likely, young Grandison Gollihar converted to Catholicism in the short time he was in Corpus Christi prior to his death.

+ 16 ix. Charles Ashley Gollihar Charles was born on 22 Dec 1843 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. He married Martha Jane Raines at Nueces County, TX, on 26 Nov 1865.
+ 17 x. Laura Gollihar Laura was born in Feb 1850 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. She married Unknown Snider circa 1877.
18 xi. Abner Gollihar. Abner was born circa 1851 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR.

Generation Two

5. Son2 Gollihar (Charles1) was born between 1825 and 1830. He married Emily (--?--) circa 1846. He died in 1850.
Emily (--?--) was born in 1827 at AR.
Children of Son2 Gollihar and Emily (--?--) both born at AR were as follows:
19 i. Margaret E. A.3 Gollihar was born in 1847.
20 ii. Sarah A. J. Gollihar was born in 1850.

7. William2 Gollihar (Charles1) was born in 1826 at AR. He married Elizabeth (--?--) circa 1845. He married Nancy (--?--).
Elizabeth (--?--) was born in 1829 at LA.
Children of William2 Gollihar and Elizabeth (--?--) all born at AR were as follows:
21 i. William C. C.3 Gollihar was born in 1846.
22 ii. Grandison D. R. Gollihar was born in 1848.
23 iii. Isaac C. M. Gollihar was born in 1849.
Nancy (--?--) was born in 1835 at AR.
Children of William2 Gollihar and Nancy (--?--) all born at AR were as follows:
24 i. Mary J.3 Gollihar was born in 1854.
25 ii. John H. Gollihar was born in 1856.
26 iii. James T. Gollihar was born in 1857.
27 iv. Francis A. Gollihar was born in 1860.

8. Drury "Drewey"2 Gollihar (Charles1). Drury was born circa 1832 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. He married Martha Cowan, daughter of William M. Cowan and Mary Briant, circa 1860. He died at Le Flore County, OK.
Martha Cowan. Martha was born in 1839 at Coffee County, TN.

Martha Gollihar, wife of Drury Drewey" Gollihar is believed to be a daughter of William M. Cowan and Mary M. Briant Cowan. The family's absence on the 1850 census presents difficulties in proving this. A Doshier family researcher stated that the Cowans had a daughter named Martha. The death certificate for a son of Drury Gollihar and wife Martha, lists her maiden name as "Gowan." The Cowans and Gollihars lived close together in Clark County, Arkansas in the 1850s. Here, Drewery's sister, Nancy Jane Gollihar, married John S. Cowan.
In 1854, Charles Gollihar and wife, Margaret Hoofman Gollihar, conveyed 40 acres to their son Drury W. Gollihar, in Clark County. In December of 1857, "Drewry Gollahare" conveys this 40 acres to John S. Cowan, who is, of course, his brother-in-law.
By 1860, John S. Cowan and Nancy Jane Gollihar Cowan, along with his parents, had moved to Sebastian County, Arkansas. A daughter, Martha, is not listed with William M. Cowan and Mary M. Cowan on the 1860 census, which indicates that she had already married. But Drewery and Martha cannot be found on the 1860 Arkansas census, nor on the Texas census of that year, as his parents had relocated to that state.
In the Spring of 1862, "Drew Gollihire" was drafted into Co. D, 34th Arkansas Infantry. This indicates that he was probably in the Sebastian County area, as well. For that was the same company in which John S. Cowan and Abner J. Wilson (Mary's husband) served. There would seem to be no reason for Drewery to be in Sebastian County, as all the Gollihars were either still in Clark County, or in Texas. If he was married to a Cowan daughter, however, his presence there would make perfect sense. On December 27, 1862, Gollihar deserted the Confederate Army, at about the same time as did his brother-in-law, John S. Cowan. Drewery Gollihar may have followed them to Texas, though there is no proof. At the very least, he probably hid out in the Indian Territory until the end of the war.
Interestingly, years after the war, Gollihar presented a claim for corn confiscated by Federal troops during the war. The date given was the fall of 1863. In his petition, Golllihar claimed he was living in Polk County, near Waldron. The Cowan farm in Sebastian County was only two miles from the Polk County line.
In January 1868, "Drury Galaher" applied for 80 acres of government land, in Sec. 8, T 5 N, R 30 W. This land lay 2 miles due north of the Cowan place. In compliance with the homestead laws, Gollihar presented an affidavit in 1873, testifying to his residency on the land. The document records that he had built a dwelling house, two stables and cribs, and had set out an orchard.
In December 1877, the Gollihars sold 40 acres of their land to George Cook. They were still living in Sebastian County, Arkansas at the time of the 1880 census. By the mid 1890s, their children had started moving into nearby Choctaw Nation. It is unknown when Drewery and Martha died, or where they are buried, though it seems that they were deceased prior to 1900.

Children of Drury "Drewey"2 Gollihar and Martha Cowan were as follows:
+ 28 i. William Washington3 Gollihar was born on 20 Feb 1860 at AR. He married Artelia Elilzabeth Lick circa 1887.
29 ii. Jane Gollihar was born in 1867 at AR.
30 iii. John C. Gollihar was born in 1868 at AR. He died between 1870 and 1880 at Sebastian County, AR.
+ 31 iv. Andrew J. Gollihar was born on 23 Apr 1871 at AR. He married Harriet Cordelia Barnes in 1901 at Indian Territory.
32 v. Mary Gollihar was born on 9 May 1873 at AR. She married W. David Laxton circa 1898. She died on 23 May 1913 at Le Flore County, Oklahoma. She was buried at Shady Point Cemetery, Le Flore County, OK.
33 vi. Charles Gollihar was born on 27 Jun 1874 at AR. He died on 4 Jan 1949 at LeFlore County, OK.
+ 34 vii. Abner B. Gollihar was born on 18 Apr 1876 at Sebastian County, AR. He married Illa Black circa 1902.
35 viii. Taylor Gollihar was born in 1879 at Sebastian County, AR.


10. Nancy Jane2 Gollihar (Charles1). Nancy was born on 17 Nov 1836 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. She married John Steven Cowan at Clark County, AR, on 21 Jul 1853. Nancy died on 3 Jun 1908 at Eden, Concho County, TX. She was buried at Eden City Cemetery, Eden, Concho County, TX.
John Steven Cowan. John was born on 25 Dec 1832 at TN. John died on 18 Jun 1900 at Bandera, Bandera County, TX. He was buried at Bandera City Cemetery, Bandera, Bandera County, TX.

John S. Cowan married Nancy Jane Gollihar in her native Clark County, Arkansas in 1853. On December 12, 1857, John S. Cowan purchased 40 acres from his brother-in-law, Drew Gollihar. Gollihar had himself purchased the property from his parents in 1854. On the 1857, John S. Cowan was said to be of neighboring Pike County, Arkansas.
On March 1, 1860, John Cowan received a grant for 40 acres of government land in Section 5, T 5 N, R 30 W. On May 1, 1860, he received a grant for another 40 acres in Section 19. This tract was just west of the acreage his father settled on.
The Cowans were Unionists, apparently. John S. Cowan did not enlist in the Confederate army upon the outbreak of hostilities. His brother William later joined the Union army, as did a brother-in-law. When the new conscription law was passed in April 1862, John S. Cowan was drafted into the Confederate Army on June 19, 1862. He was described as being 5'11" in height, of light complexion, with blue eyes and black hair. He served in Co. B of King's Regiment of the 34th Arkansas Infantry. His brothers-in-law, Drew Gollihar and Abner J. Wilson served in the same company. John obtained leave to go home for Christmas 1862, and once there, he and Jane packed their belongings, crossed over into the Indian Territory and headed for Texas. There, they sat out the rest of the war, and found a permanent home. His land in Arkansas may have been sold for taxes. Yet the acreage closest to the Cowan homeplace was owned by brother-in-law Andrew J. Gist in 1887, so some arrangement may have been made within the family.
The Cowans first settled in San Saba County. Some of the Gollihars may have lived in the area, though probably across the Colorado River in Burnet County. By 1870, they had relocated to southwestern Bell Cowan, near a host of distant kinsmen, the William F. Cowan family.
Indians remained a problem in the area. Jane Gollihar Cowan recalled that they would sneak up to the spring and steal butter and milk from the milk house. She kept a gun close by, and a bulldog for protection. In 1870, Indians stole some horses from the Cowans.
John Cowan was a freighter and owned several wagons and teams. At first, he used ox teams, but later upgraded to mule teams. John Cowan would often haul freight out to Fort Concho and back. The freighters traveled together for protection from Indians. John Cowan lost several oxen to marauding Indians.
In 1879, John Cowan sent his own herd from Bell County to Llano County, with sons William and Patrick in charge of their care. The cattle remained there for several years.
In 1889, John Cowan made at least one trip back to Sebastian County, Arkansas. He was there to execute some deeds in settlement of the family land there.
In later years, John S. Cowan may have maintained a home in Bandera, Texas, where he died and was buried. Other accounts indicated that he died while on a trail drive there. Jane Gollihar Cowan was a midwife. She spent her last years with her daughter, Mary Cowan Elmore, in Eden, Texas, and was buried there.

Children of Nancy Jane2 Gollihar and John Steven Cowan were as follows:
+ 36 i. William Charles3 Cowan William was born on 1 Jul 1855 at Clark County, AR. He married Mary Josephine Smith at residence of C. P. Smith, Click, Llano County, TX, on 24 Jul 1884.
+ 37 ii. Mary Virginia Cowan Mary was born on 18 May 1860 at Dayton Township, Sebastian County, AR. She married M. Cooper Elmore in Jan 1884.
+ 38 iii. George Washington Cowan George was born on 9 Mar 1864 at San Saba County, TX. He married Allie Dennis on 28 Oct 1889.
+ 39 iv. Solomon Asa Cowan Solomon was born on 19 Aug 1865 at San Saba County, TX. He married Cora Evelyn Seitz on 3 Sep 1891.
+ 40 v. Patrick Lafayette Cowan Patrick was born on 18 Dec 1866 at Bell County, TX. He married Lenora Pauline Patton on 17 Dec 1893.

13. Marguerite2 Gollihar (Charles1). Marguerite was born circa 1840 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. She married John Nichols circa 1867.
John Nichols was born circa 1845 at MS.
Children of Marguerite2 Gollihar and John Nichols were as follows:
41 i. Fannie3 Nichols was born in 1869 at McLennan County, TX.
+ 42 ii. Charles Henry Nichols was born on 17 Sep 1878. He married Pherbia Janie Everett at Bell County, TX, on 21 Aug 1901.

16. Charles Ashley2 Gollihar (Charles1). Charles was born on 22 Dec 1843 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. He married Martha Jane Raines at Nueces County, TX, on 26 Nov 1865. Charles died on 14 Apr 1937 at Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX.

"Funeral rites for Charles A. Gollihar, 94, pioneer South Texas rancher, who died Wednesday afternoon, will be held Friday morning at St. Patrick's Cathedral. He came here with Green's Brigade at the close of the Civil War. Many years prior to establishing his own ranch south of here, Gollihar was active manager of a large tract of acreage on the famous King Ranch, and was well known throughout South Texas. Tall, gaunt and leather-skinned, he was a familiar figure on the streets of Corpus Christi several years ago when he drove through downtown traffic in a light buckboard behind a spirited bay mare. His sons only recently coaxed him into riding in automobiles. He considered them rattly, treacherous and too close to the ground. He retired from ranching several years ago and moved into town to live with his daughter, Mrs. Nellie Grant."
Charles A. Gollihar enlisted in the Confederate army on October 10, 1862 in San Antonio.

Martha Jane Raines was born on 18 Jan 1850 at TX. She died on 2 Dec 1931 at Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX.

Children of Charles Ashley2 Gollihar and Martha Jane Raines were as follows:
43 i. (--?--)3 Gollihar married Joe Galloway.
44 ii. Margaret Gollihar married (--?--) Wilkey.
45 iii. Nellie Gollihar married (--?--) Grant.
46 iv. Maggie Gollihar married (--?--) Gravett.
47 v. William S. Gollihar was born on 26 Feb 1867 at Nueces County, TX. He married Margarita Hehne at Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX, on 4 Aug 1895. He died on 28 Dec 1952 at Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX.
48 vi. Eliza Gollihar was born circa 1870 at Nueces County, TX. She died before 1937.
49 vii. Helen Gollihar was born in 1872 at Nueces County, TX. She married W. H. Henderson at Nueces County, TX, on 7 Dec 1891. She died before 1937.
50 viii. Charles Gollihar was born circa 1874 at Nueces County, TX.
51 ix. John Gollihar was born circa 1876 at Nueces County, TX.
52 x. Edward Gollihar was born circa 1879 at Nueces County, TX.
53 xi. Henry Gollihar was born after 1880 at Nueces County, TX.

17. Laura2 Gollihar (Charles1). Laura was born in Feb 1850 at Terre Noir Township, Clark County, AR. She married Unknown Snider circa 1877. Laura died after 1937 at San Antonio, Bexar County, TX.
Unknown Snider died before 1900.
Children of Laura2 Gollihar and Unknown Snider all born at TX were as follows:
+ 54 i. Margaret3 Snider was born in Jan 1878 at TX. She married Joseph M. Boyd circa 1926.
55 ii. Silas N. Snider was born in Jun 1881. He died after 1930.
+ 56 iii. Henry Snider was born in May 1883 at TX. He married Alice (--?--) circa 1906 at San Antonio, Bexar County, TX.

Generation Three


28. William Washington3 Gollihar (Drury2, Charles1) was born on 20 Feb 1860 at AR. He married Artelia Elilzabeth Lick circa 1887. He died on 18 Dec 1905 at Muldrow, Sequoyah County, Indian Territory (Oklahoma).
Artelia Elilzabeth Lick was born on 23 Nov 1873 at Webster County, MO. She died in Mar 1916 at Le Flore County, Oklahoma.
Children of William Washington3 Gollihar and Artelia Elilzabeth Lick were as follows:
57 i. Martha4 Gollihar was born in Dec 1888 at AR. She died in 1916 at Le Flore County, OK.
58 ii. Claude Washington Gollihar was born on 30 Dec 1890 at AR. He died on 14 Jul 1950 at Modesto, CA.
59 iii. Susan Jane Gollihar was born on 22 Feb 1893 at AR. She died on 14 Nov 1939 at Plains, TX.
60 iv. Andrew I Gollihar was born in Jan 1895 at Indian Territory. He died circa 1917 at OK.
61 v. Jess Fitzsimmons Gollihar was born on 24 Mar 1897 at Indian Territory. He died on 22 Sep 1963 at Salinas, Monterey County, CA.
62 vi. Leroy Jasper Gollihar was born in Mar 1899 at Indian Territory.
63 vii. Violet Gollihar was born in 1903 at Indian Territory.
64 viii. William Franklin Gollihar was born on 15 Jul 1905 at Indian Territory. He died on 15 Sep 1870 at Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ.

31. Andrew J.3 Gollihar (Drury2, Charles1) was born on 23 Apr 1871 at AR. He married Harriet Cordelia Barnes in 1901 at Indian Territory. He died on 29 Nov 1911 at Panama, LeFlore County, OK. He was buried at Tom George Cemetery, LeFlore County, OK.
Harriet Cordelia Barnes was born in 1882 at Indian Territory.
Children of Andrew J.3 Gollihar and Harriet Cordelia Barnes were as follows:
65 i. John Henry4 Gollihar was born on 6 Oct 1901 at LeFlore County, Indian Territory. He died on 16 Oct 1901 at LeFlore County, Indian Territory. He was buried at Tom George Cemetery, LeFlore County, OK.
66 ii. Infant Gollihar died.
67 iii. Harvey A. Gollihar was born in 1904 at LeFlore County, Indian Territory.
68 iv. Herbert Gollihar was born in 1905 at LeFlore County, Indian Territory.
69 v. Minnie M. Gollihar was born in 1907 at LeFlore County, Indian Territory.
70 vi. William H. Gollihar was born in 1910 at LeFlore County, OK.

34. Abner B.3 Gollihar (Drury2, Charles1) was born on 18 Apr 1876 at Sebastian County, AR. He married Illa Black circa 1902. He died on 8 Jun 1943 at McCurtain, Haskell County, TX.
Illa Black was born in 1882 at TN.
Children of Abner B.3 Gollihar and Illa Black are as follows:
71 i. Emma4 Gollihar was born in 1904 at LeFlore County, Indian Territory.
72 ii. Gifford Gollihar was born in 1907 at LeFlore County, Indian Territory.
73 iii. Delores Gollihar was born in 1909 at LeFlore County, OK.
74 iv. Clifford Gollihar was born in 1911 at LeFlore County, OK.
75 v. Ola Gollihar was born in 1912 at LeFlore County, OK.
76 vi. Hazel Gollihar was born in 1915 at LeFlore County, OK.
77 vii. Iris Gollihar was born in 1917 at LeFlore County, OK.

36. William Charles3 Cowan (Nancy2 Gollihar, Charles1). William was born on 1 Jul 1855 at Clark County, AR. He married Mary Josephine Smith at residence of C. P. Smith, Click, Llano County, TX, on 24 Jul 1884. William died on 23 Dec 1916 at Maxdale, Bell County, TX. He was buried at Maxdale Cemetery, Maxdale, Bell County, TX.

William Charles Cowan was 7 years old when his family left Arkansas to come to Texas. He recalled crossing the Red River. He was outfitted in buckskin that got soaked coming across the river, causing the garmet to shrink. After a few years, the family settled in southwestern Bell County, near some distant relatives.
The family of D. J. "Jack" Smith lived nearby. They had had to leave their Llano County ranch in 1865 due to Indian deprivations. William Cowan fell in love with Mary Josephine, one of the Smith daughters. Her father and step-mother, however, opposed the match. The Smiths had been loyal Confederates, while the Cowans were Union sympathizers, which may have had some bearing on their thinking.
In 1875, Mary Josephine married another man, Charles Davis, apparently with her parent's approval. This marriage proved to be disastrous, however. Within a short time, Davis had deserted Mary Josephine. She gave birth to their son who died in infancy. In 1878, D. J. Smith died, shortly after the family had returned to their Llano County ranch.
William and Mary Josephine renewed their friendship. In fact, young Cowan moved to Llano County and hired out on the Smith ranch so as to be close to his sweetheart. William remained on the Smith farm for several years. On May 9, 1883, he registered his brand "WCC" in Llano County. His record book records that he broke his leg on May 27, 1883. Finally, in July 1884, he and Mary Josephine were married. At the time of the ceremony, he was said to be of Bell County. They were married at the home of her brother, Carey P. Smith. Her brother-in-law, James F. Barnett, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, performed the ceremony.
William and Mary Josephine made their home back in Bell County. He had 160 acres on Gann's Creek near Maxdale, in southwestern Bell County. This was the same general area that the Smiths and Cowans had lived in earlier years. All three of their children were born here. Henry, "Sis" and Willie Belle received their earliest education at the Maxdale schoolhouse. When older, they stayed with their Aunt Caroline Smith Burkes in Belton, in order to attend Wedemeyer's Academy. At a later date, William and Mary Josephine lived here as well. Brother-in-law D. C. Burkes was sheriff and he gave William a job as jailor. During this period, the family lived over the jailhouse. Yet the family soon moved back to their farm, and by 1911, their son and daughter-in-law, Henry and Lillie Cowan, made their home with them as well. William and Mary Josephine were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Mary Josephine Smith. Mary was born on 8 Jun 1858 at Click, Llano County, TX. She married Charles Davis in 1875. Mary died on 6 Apr 1915 at Maxdale, Bell County, TX. She was buried at Maxdale Cemetery, Maxdale, Bell County, TX.

Children of William Charles3 Cowan and Mary Josephine Smith all born at Maxdale, Bell County, TX, were as follows:

78 i. George Henry4 Cowan. George was born on 7 Nov 1885. He married Lillie Virginia Smith at Bell County, TX, on 8 Dec 1908. George died on 3 Mar 1963 at Brazoria, Brazoria County, TX. He was buried at Gillum Cemetery, Oakalla, Burnet County, TX.

Henry Cowan grew up at Maxdale, in Bell County, Texas. Lillie Smith grew up at Oakalla, about seven miles distance in Burnet County. Henry Cowan attended Wedemeyer's Academy in Belton, Texas. As a young man, he was a deputy sheriff there for his uncle, Sheriff Clark Burkes. By the time of the marriage in 1908, Lillie Smith was clerking in a Killeen mercantile store. Henry Cowan had a brief stint as a prison guard in Sugarland, Texas before he and Lillie moved back to the Cowan farm at Maxdale. About 1919, Henry and his sisters sold the place, and he moved to the Black place, owned by some of Lillie's kinsmen, near Killeen. From there they moved to near Topsey, in Lampasas County. Finally, they bought a farm near Harmon, in Coryell County. Although in four different counties, all of their farms were within 15 miles of where they both were raised. The Cowans lost this last farm during the Depression, late in 1933, and moved to Copperas Cove. Lillie died of complications shortly after the birth of her sixth child early in 1934. Her untimely death forced the break up of the immediate family; Henry pursued a career in carpentry, while the older children worked to provide suppport for their younger siblings who lived with various family members.

Lillie Virginia Smith. Lillie was born on 20 Oct 1889 at Oakalla, Burnet County, TX. Lillie died on 16 Mar 1934 at Temple, Bell County, TX. She was buried at Gillum Cemetery, Oakalla, Burnet County, TX.

79 ii. Eathel Mae Cowan. Eathel was born on 9 Apr 1887. She married James Earnest Griggs at at residence of Caroline Smith Burkes, Belton, Bell County, TX, on 21 Jan 1917. Eathel died on 21 Nov 1974 at Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX. She was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX.

Eathel Mae "Sis" Cowan attended Wedemeyer's Academy in Belton, Texas, as well as Mary Hardin Baylor College. After her marriage to James S. Griggs, brother of William S. Griggs who had married her sister Willie Belle, they moved to Fort Worth. They purchased a place adjoining their siblings on Lake Worth. Eathel was a Presbyterian, but joined the Baptist Church sometime after moving to Tarrant County.
James Earnest Griggs. James was born on 23 Jun 1891 at Sharp. James died on 5 Oct 1973 at Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX. He was buried at Mount Olivet, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX.

80 iii. Willie Belle Cowan. Willie was born on 10 May 1889. She married William Shedrick Griggs at Maxdale, Bell County, TX, on 25 Jan 1914. Willie died on 8 Jan 1977 at Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX. She was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX.

Willie Belle Cowan attended Wedemeyer's Academy in Belton, Texas, as well as Mary Hardin Baylor College. She was a teacher and taught at Youngsport and Hog Mountain in Bell County. After marriage to W. S. "Bill" Griggs, they moved to Norton, in Runnels County, Texas. In 1917, Willie Belle and Bill moved to Fort Worth. In 1920, they bought a place on Lake Worth, northwest of Fort Worth, where they were to live the rest of their lives. Willie Belle was a Presbyterian, but joined the Baptist Church sometime after moving to Tarrant County.
William Shedrick Griggs. William was born on 7 Dec 1889 at Bell County, TX. William died on 27 Oct 1969 at Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX. He was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX.

37. Mary Virginia3 Cowan (Nancy2 Gollihar, Charles1). Mary was born on 18 May 1860 at Dayton Township, Sebastian County, AR. She married M. Cooper Elmore in Jan 1884. Mary died on 25 Dec 1935 at Eden, Concho County, TX. She was buried at Eden Cemetery, Eden, Concho County, TX.
M. Cooper Elmore. M. was born on 7 Aug 1851. M. died on 4 Jul 1927 at Eden, Concho County, TX. He was buried at Eden Cemetery, Eden, Concho County, TX.
Children of Mary Virginia3 Cowan and M. Cooper Elmore were as follows:
81 i. John Bailey4 Elmore. John was born on 26 Dec 1884 at Bell County, TX. John died on 12 Dec 1964.
82 ii. Solomon W. Elmore. Solomon was born on 5 Feb 1886 at Bell County, TX. He married Isabelle Beckurst. He married Virginia Belle Russell at Killeen, Bell County, TX, on 24 Sep 1905. Solomon died on 27 Aug 1961 at San Antonio, Bexar County, TX.
Isabelle Beckurst was born on 7 Nov 1888 at Killeen, Bell County, TX. She died on 17 May 1970 at San Antonio, Bexar County, TX.
Virginia Belle Russell was born on 4 May 1886 at Hamilton County, TX. She died on 22 Mar 1950.
83 iii. Arthur Cooper Elmore. Arthur was born on 8 May 1887 at Bell County, TX. Arthur died on 19 May 1905 at Eden, Concho County, TX. He was buried at Eden Cemetery, Eden, Concho County, TX.
84 iv. William J. Elmore. William was born on 2 Feb 1890 at Bell County, TX. He died in Dec 1970 at San Saba County, TX.
85 v. Zetta Elmore. Zetta was born on 2 Mar 1897. She died on 16 Nov 1994 at Stockton, Wilson County, TX.

38. George Washington3 Cowan (Nancy2 Gollihar, Charles1). George was born on 9 Mar 1864 at San Saba County, TX. He married Allie Dennis on 28 Oct 1889. George died on 28 Oct 1934 at Topsey, Lampasas County, TX. He was buried at Copperas Cove Cemetery, Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX.

George W. Cowan was a well-known rancher who lived near Topsey, in Lampasas County, Texas. He owned 800 acres in both Lampasas and Coryell Counties.
Allie Dennis. Allie was born on 26 Feb 1870. Allie died on 8 Jul 1955 at Lampasas, Lampasas County, TX. She was buried at Copperas Cove Cemetery, Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX.

Children of George Washington3 Cowan and Allie Dennis were as follows:
86 i. Sybelle4 Cowan. Sybelle was born on 10 Aug 1890. She married Howard Simpson. She died on 16 Jan 1965 at Coryell County, TX. She was buried at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX.
Howard Simpson died on 16 Dec 1971 at Coryell County, TX. He was buried at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX.
87 ii. Roy Cowan. Roy was born on 18 Jun 1893. He married Edna Green.
Edna Green was born on 18 May 1895. She died on 5 Feb 1985.
88 iii. Alberta Cowan. Alberta was born on 10 Aug 1895. She married Alfred Saegert. She died on 26 Dec 1983. She was buried at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX.
Alfred Saegert died on 23 Aug 1980. He was buried at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX.
89 iv. George Dee Cowan. George was born on 13 Mar 1901. He married Pauline Vardiman on 8 Nov 1926. He died on 28 Mar 1977 at Belton, Bell County, TX. He was buried at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX.
Pauline Vardiman was born on 5 Aug 1905 at Coryell County, TX. She died on 2 Mar 1978 at Killeen, Bell County, TX.
90 v. William Albert Cowan. William was born on 11 Jan 1904. He married Laura Evelyn Vardiman. He died on 26 Aug 1997 at Lampasas, Lampasas County, TX. He was buried at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX.
Laura Evelyn Vardiman was born on 12 Nov 1907. She died on 25 May 1995. She was buried at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX.
91 vi. Joseph Bailey Cowan. Joseph was born on 26 Oct 1905 at Coryell County, TX. He married Shirley Langdon at Unity Community, Lampasas County, TX, on 5 Nov 1927. He died on 6 Mar 1990 at Lampasas County, TX. He was buried at Smith Cemetery, School Creek Community, Lampasas County, TX.
92 vii. John Solon Cowan. John was born on 21 Apr 1910. He married Faye Grantham at Bell County, TX, on 6 Nov 1930.
Faye Grantham died on 23 Oct 1995 at Lampasas County, TX.

39. Solomon Asa3 Cowan (Nancy2 Gollihar, Charles1). Solomon was born on 19 Aug 1865 at San Saba County, TX. He married Cora Evelyn Seitz on 3 Sep 1891. Solomon died on 6 Oct 1892 at Killeen, Bell County, TX. He was buried at Killeen City Cemetery, Killeen, Bell County, TX.
Children of Solomon Asa3 Cowan and Cora Evelyn Seitz were:
93 i. Clyde Solomon4 Cowan. Clyde was born on 2 Sep 1892 at Killeen, Bell County, TX. He married Ella Marie Bryan. He died in 1979 at Maverick County, TX.

Clyde Cowan grew up near Brady, in McCullough County, Texas. He left home as a young man and drifted all over the country--Texas, Indiana, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona--pursuing a variety of odd jobs. In 1917, Clyde Cowan went to San Francisco and joined the Army Air Corps. After the war, he worked in the oil fields in Texas and Mexico. Owning a percentage of a successful Mexican oil well, Clyde left there in 1922 with $10,000 profit, which he used to purchase a section of land in Hatch, New Mexico. Later, he went to Venezuela for a few years to work in the oil fields there. He left there for New York City, before returning briefly to Texas about 1925. He married Ella Bryan in San Antonio in 1926. They settled in New Mexico for several years, before moving to Blythe, California.
Ella Marie Bryan. Ella was born on 12 Aug 1903.

40. Patrick Lafayette3 Cowan (Nancy2 Gollihar, Charles1). Patrick was born on 18 Dec 1866 at Bell County, TX. He married Lenora Pauline Patton on 17 Dec 1893. Patrick died on 28 Mar 1944 at McCullough County, TX. He was buried at Pear Valley Cemetery, Pear Valley, McCullough County, TX.

He related the following story:

"I learned to ride a horse when I was very young. My older brother taught me how to ride and also how to work with cattle...In 1879 my father moved his herd from Bell County to Llano County and sent my brother and I to look after the cattle. We worked there several years and I got some real experience which I needed. In 1882, while there, we had a pretty bad stampede. My brother and I and two hired punchers were holding about seven or eight hundred steers on the banks of the Colorado River, where there had been an old field, the fence still being good on two sides. There had been a lot of rain and the river was on a big rise. The cattle seemed restless and along came an old mule, stopping near where the cattle were bedded down. He was hee-hawing for all he was worth. We had been holding the cattle there for three or four days, waiting for the river to go down and they were getting nervous and so were we. When that mule made his appearance the cattle began running, and we began riding. We stayed with them and when daylight came we were four miles from home, but still had our herd, and the next day we crossed the river and delivered every one of them.
In 1887 I helped to drive a herd of 3,300 head for Joe Mitchell of Bell County to Abilene, Kansas, starting from his Bell County ranch. There were about twenty men in the outfit. We traveled almost due north and crossed the Red River at Doan’s Store near Vernon. We didn't have any trouble on this drive but we got somewhat excited when we were passing through the northern part of Oklahoma and had to witness an Indian funeral. They had sewed the dead Indian up in a buffalo hide and swung him to a limb, high up in a tree. That was the way the Cheyenne tribe buried, or disposed of their dead.
The best bronc buster I ever knew was Iky Stevens. He could ride anything. I saw Booger Red thrown off of a heathenish horse - Booger was a good rider, too - but Iky was watching and saw him when he got thrown and he said he would ride that filly for a dollar. And he did. He rode the best I ever saw.
I am now too old to ride the range or work with cattle in any way, but I still think the old days on the range were the best I ever had."
Lenora Pauline Patton. Lenora was born on 18 Mar 1875 at Bell County, TX. Lenora died on 3 Nov 1952 at Paint Rock, Concho County, TX. She was buried at Pear Valley Cemetery, Pear Valley, McCullough County, TX.

Children of Patrick Lafayette3 Cowan and Lenora Pauline Patton were as follows:
94 i. Freddie Lafayette4 Cowan. Freddie was born in 1894 at Bell County, TX. Freddie died in 1899 at Bell County, TX.
95 ii. Ruffin Elbert Cowan. Ruffin was born on 26 Nov 1895 at Bell County, TX. He married Emma Simmons at Whon, Coleman County, TX, in Sep 1919. Ruffin died on 16 Aug 1969. He was buried at Memorial Gardens, Ballinger, Runnels County, TX.
96 iii. Ruth Eulalia Cowan. Ruth was born on 18 Jan 1898 at Bell County, TX. She married John Fiveash on 11 Aug 1912.
John Fiveash. John was born on 13 Jul 1893. John died on 4 Nov 1961. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Ballinger, Runnels County, TX.
97 iv. Ruby Jewel Cowan was born on 18 Sep 1900. She married Frank Haywood Brandstetter circa 1918. She married Stearling Aington Petty on 28 Sep 1952. She died on 25 Sep 1963 at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX. She was buried at Cisco Cemetery, Cisco, TX.
Frank Haywood Brandstetter died on 25 Jun 1948.
98 v. Seldon Meadows Cowan. Seldon was born on 9 Apr 1902. He married Lola Loyd.
Lola Loyd was born on 29 Dec 1905. She died in Apr 1985.
99 vi. Pauline Cowan. Pauline was born in 1904. Pauline died in 1913 at Almagordo, NM.
100 vii. Royce Anderson Mccall Cowan. Royce was born on 9 Dec 1907 at McCullough County, TX. He married Nadine Lee in Nov 1934.
Nadine Lee. Nadine was born on 11 Aug 1915.
101 viii. John Patton Cowan. John was born on 23 Jan 1910. He died on 26 Nov 1975.
102 ix. Marion Emma Ozella Cowan. Marion was born on 9 Aug 1912 at Salt Gap, TX. She married Henry Thomas Montgomery at McCullough County, TX, on 5 Jun 1929.
Henry Thomas Montgomery. Henry was born on 27 Sep 1905 at Llano, Llano County, TX.
103 x. Frank Leland Cowan was born on 23 Apr 1917 at Crews, TX.

42. Charles Henry3 Nichols (Marguerite2 Gollihar, Charles1) was born on 17 Sep 1878. He married Pherbia Janie Everett at Bell County, TX, on 21 Aug 1901.
Pherbia Janie Everett was born on 18 Jan 1882 at Loma Vista, TX. She died on 20 Aug 1967 at TX. She was buried at Bellwood Memorial Park, Temple, Bell County, TX.
Children of Charles Henry3 Nichols and Pherbia Janie Everett were as follows:
104 i. Bessie Lee4 Nichols.
105 ii. Tommie Wilson Nichols.
106 iii. Minnie Leora Nichols.
107 iv. Leslie Newell Nichols.
108 v. Winnie Lou Nichols.
109 vi. Jessie Dee Nichols.
110 vii. Richard Hilton Nichols was born on 8 Jan 1911. He died in Jul 1932 at Bell County, TX. He was buried at Maxdale Cemetery, Maxdale, Bell County, TX.
111 viii. Claude Harrell Nichols was born on 26 Jun 1914. He married Macele (--?--). He married Claudia (--?--). He married Maxine (--?--). He married Mary (--?--). He died in 1980. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery, San Antonio, Bexar County, TX.
112 ix. Alma Marguerite Nichols was born on 10 Jan 1916 at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, TX. She married Chester Thornton. She married Johnny Douglas. She married Pierre Prejean.
113 x. Alice Mae Nichols was born on 26 Jul 1917. She married Joe Bob Cowan. She married Jerry Lee Powell.
114 xi. Mary Virl Nichols was born on 22 Jul 1920. She married W. A. Cheatham. She married Skip Halloway.
115 xii. Janie Chloe Nichols was born on 13 Aug 1922. She married Allen Davis.

54. Margaret3 Snider (Laura2 Gollihar, Charles1) was born in Jan 1878 at TX. She married Joseph M. Boyd circa 1926.
Joseph M. Boyd was born in 1899.
Children of Margaret3 Snider and Joseph M. Boyd are:
116 i. Edward R.4 Boyd was born in 1927 at San Antonio, Bexar County, TX.

56. Henry3 Snider (Laura2 Gollihar, Charles1) was born in May 1883 at TX. He married Alice (--?--) circa 1906 at San Antonio, Bexar County, TX. He died between 1926 and 1930 at San Antonio, Bexar County, TX.
Alice (--?--) was born circa 1886 at TX.
Children of Henry3 Snider and Alice (--?--) all born at San Antonio, Bexar County, TX, were as follows:
117 i. Edna May4 Snider was born in 1912.
118 ii. Bessie Snider was born in 1913.
119 iii. Ollie Snider was born in 1916.
120 iv. Artie Snider was born in 1917.
121 v. Angus Snider was born on 18 May 1919. He died in Mar 1980 at TX.
122 vi. Alfred Snider was born in 1922.
123 vii. Henry F. Snider was born in 1926.



Printed on: 2 April 2008
Prepared by: Terry Cowan
603 Circle Drive
Bullard, TX 75757