History of Israel Abner Cowley
by Israel Abner Cowley
by Israel Abner Cowley
Another autobiography written by Israel Abner Cowley. Very similar to the history he wrote entitled "History of Israel Abner Cowley & Ann Hawkes Cowley" (previously posted), but with a few additional details. Enjoy!
I was born June 18, 1889, to Charles Caesar Cowley and Eleanor Caroline Curtis, at Venice, Utah, which was known, at that time, as Wallsville. I had 13 brothers and sisters of which I am the youngest child. My father died when I was 16 years old. My brothers and I then continued to farm in order to help mother provide for the family. We lived in an adobe house in an orchard east of Venice. When my mother died at the age of 86, she was survived by only 3 children. Myself, David, and Joseph.
I attended grade school at Venice. My brother Angus was principal, and. Mrs. Stringham, my teacher. Mrs. Stringham still remarks about how I often teased the girls by dipping their pigtails in the inkwells and being a bit mischievous at times. Grade school was a pleasant memory in my life. I was one of three which were the first to graduate from the 8th grade. This was as far as education went at that time.
I was born June 18, 1889, to Charles Caesar Cowley and Eleanor Caroline Curtis, at Venice, Utah, which was known, at that time, as Wallsville. I had 13 brothers and sisters of which I am the youngest child. My father died when I was 16 years old. My brothers and I then continued to farm in order to help mother provide for the family. We lived in an adobe house in an orchard east of Venice. When my mother died at the age of 86, she was survived by only 3 children. Myself, David, and Joseph.
I attended grade school at Venice. My brother Angus was principal, and. Mrs. Stringham, my teacher. Mrs. Stringham still remarks about how I often teased the girls by dipping their pigtails in the inkwells and being a bit mischievous at times. Grade school was a pleasant memory in my life. I was one of three which were the first to graduate from the 8th grade. This was as far as education went at that time.
I remember of wishing to attend the graduation exercises in Monroe, Utah. So with a friend, we traveled to Monroe by horse and buggy, a distance of about 18 miles, and stayed in a hotel after the graduation dance because it was too far to return to Venice the same evening.
I attended college at Logan, Utah, and lived with my Uncle Joseph Cowley part of the time. I had a distance of 2 miles to walk to school each day. One winter I batched in an apartment with friends and worked part time at the Utah Power and Light Co.. I attended the 7th Ward in Logan. Later, I quit college and was promoted to Chief Clerk of the Logan Division of Utah Power and Light Co..
I met Ann Hawkes while attending college, and I often traveled to Preston, Idaho, which was her home town, to court her. We were married June 10, 1915 in the Salt Lake City Temple. We lived in Logan and our first child, Thora Ann, was born May 11, 1916. When Thora was 1 year old, we moved to Venice and lived in the old family home down at the orchard. I took up farming and the raising of cattle, being in partnership with my brother David. My mother and Dave lived with us until the time of mothers death. Some years later, we moved to the center of Venice. Our winters were very wet in those years and very often in the spring, with the melting of the snow, we would have high water from the Sevier River that flowed through the center of Venice and along the side of the road that led to the orchard. Our cattle were still at the old place down in the orchard, and the Sevier River became so high it flooded to the extent that we had to use a raft to reach our cattle and feed them.
In May of 1932, the home we were living in burned to the ground. We never did learn the source or reason of the fire, but fortunately our furniture and belongings were saved and no one was injured. We moved to Richfield, Utah, a distance of 5 miles, and lived there until a new home could be built at the same site as the last home. Here we reared our family and are still living here.
When my Brother Dave and I went into the cattle business, we obtained a cattle permit to run cattle on the mountain now known as Booby Hole. My first permit was for 5 head of cattle which we eventually increased to 275 head. Many times Dave and I would ride from Escalante to Boulder on horseback to buy cattle, and we would spend the night with friends and return the next day.
At times we had over 1000 head of cattle in feed yards, and cattle used for stock cattle which were purchased in Wayne, Garfield, Kane, and Sevier counties. At that time, Cattle was shipped by railroad, and I especially remember one trip which Dave and I took when we accompanied the cattle to San Francisco. We were given a Special or the Caboose along with other cattlemen. While crossing the desert, the train developed what was known as a hot box and had to stop. While we were stopped 3 hoboes entered the car. My companions were sleeping, so I did not protest the entering of these men because of their obvious character. Later that morning, we reached a town and they immediately left the train before being discovered by the trainmen. Needless to say, I was glad to see them depart. We also stopped at the Feather River where we saw many men panning for gold, living in shacks made of car parts, doors and fenders, or whatever could be found. These were interesting trips which we enjoyed while traveling together.
We used to buy steers for 2 ½ cents to 3 cents a pound compared to prices which are 24 to 25 cents a pound now. We feel fortunate to be one of the few to survive two bad depressions without too many bad results.
In 1936 we traveled back East to buy a new car. During this trip, we were in a terrific dust storm. As our radio was not working, we did not know that reports were going out warning people to stay off of the roads. We learned of this when we reached our destination. We had had a very difficult time traveling, and it was not uncommon to see cars off the roads against telephone poles. The dust was so intense we felt as if we were eating it and felt fortunate not to have had any trouble.
We enjoyed trips as a family and with friends. We went to Yellowstone National Park with Dave and his family and the Owen Fillmore family. This was a very enjoyable trip as were many others.
At one time I was a Director in the State Bank of Sevier. But due to the dishonesty of one of the employees, the bank went broke after this person had embezzled a large amount of money. We lost our stock plus the money our children had on savings. The fellow was later imprisoned, but the money was not accounted for.
I was President of Lost Creek Booby Hole Grazers Association for many years. President of the Cove River Canal Co., Director of the Vermillion Canal Co., and Director of Otter Creek Reservoir Co.. I was also a Director in the Lions Club and a Director in the Knife and Fork Club.
I am an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was Superintendent of the Venice Ward Sunday School for 2 years and 1st Counselor for 3 years. I was also Superintendent of the MIA for 2 years.
We have reared a family of 5 children. Thora Ann, Conrad Abner, Curtis Fredrick, Shirley Glee, and Delles Rae. Thora Ann died, March 4, 1960. Thora’s husband Joe Buchanan died two years later, so their daughter Susan came to live with us. Their son Clive was on an LDS Mission.
We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary June 10, 1965 with a family dinner which our children held in our honor at the Rainbow Cafe in Richfield. Curtis was unable to attend as be was living in Reno, Nevada. Conrad, Shirley, and Delles and their families enjoyed the evening with us. There were 11 grandchildren present.
At this time we are still living in Venice, and enjoying life with our family and many friends.
