The best farmers of the present day do not confine their whole time and attention to the cultivation of the soil, but vary their operations by raising stock for sale to other farmers. The raising of any kind of live stock, whether fancy or not, may be made very profitable by the farmer who will take the time to study the stock question as it deserves. One of the modern agriculturists of Walworth county who not only makes it his aim to raise a good grade of live stock, but. also, to employ the most approved and scientific methods n all his work, is Elmer E. Cowles, proprietor of the “City View Farm,” of the vicinity of Elkhorn.
Mr. Cowles was born in north Geneva township, this county, on May 19, 1861, the son of John A. and Lucy (Hathaway) Cowles. The father, born April 29, 1832, in New Hampshire, the son of Seth and Harriet (Steel) Cowles. The latter was born on June 17, 1795. in Canaan, New York, and she died in this county on May 12, 1879. The Cowles family is descended from one of two brothers who came to America in the ”Mayflower” and settled in New England in 1620, and the family has been prominent in both army and navy and in public life. Seth Cowles and family came to Walworth county Wisconsin, about 1843 and settled in the northern part of Geneva township. Lucy Hathaway was born on May 6, 1842. She was the daughter of James and Martha (VanBurgan) Hathaway ; the father was from New England and the mother from Pennsylvania, of Dutch ancestry.
James Hathaway and wife came to this county about 1847 and settled in the town of Delavan. Seth Cowles entered his land from the government, in section 9, Geneva township, owning two hundred and forty acres there. He there improved a fine farm and made a good home. He experienced the usual hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. He had to haul lumber from Milwaukee with which to build his house. Wolves and other wild animals were numerous. Here Seth Cowles spent the remainder of his life and reared his family, his death occurring on February 2, 1867, and there John Cowles and wife began their married life. They were the parents of five children, four sons and one daughter, namely : Fred, Minnie, Carl, George and Elmer E. They lived there until the children were grown up and in later life lived in Elkhorn, where the father died on November 13, 1901, his wife having preceded him to the grave on January 4, 1894.
Elmer E. Cowles, of this sketch, grew up on the home farm, and he received his education in the local schools. Early in life he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and he farmed the home place until two years after his marriage, which event took place on April 22, 1885, to Fannie M. White, daughter of William and Emily ( Shepard) White. The subject’s wife was born at Hartford, Washington county, Wisconsin, and the family moved to Walworth county in September, 1878, and settled in the southwestern part of Lafayette township, and two years later moved to near Springfield, where they spent two years, then moved to section 7, Geneva township, where Mr. White bought a farm and lived a number of years. The mother of Mrs. Cowles died in 1877. Mr. White moved to Elkhorn about 1893 and has lived there ever since. Mr. White was born in Ireland, and the mother of Mrs. Cowles was born in New England, and she lived a short time in Canada, later returning to her childhood home.
About two years after his marriage, Elmer E. Cowles bought part of his father’s farm and remained there about seven years, then sold out and went to Lafayette township, where he spent three years, then returned to Geneva township and rented the farm of his father-in-law in section 7, and here he has since resided, having purchased the place in 1909. it is near the city of Elkhorn and hence he named it “City View Farm.” He has kept it under a fine state of improvement and cultivation and handles some good stock, canning on general farming successfully. Mr. Cowles was a member of the Good Templars as long as it lasted.
He assisted in organizing the State Long Distance Telephone Company about 1901. and he has been president of the same for the past three years, discharging the duties of this capacity in an al)le, conscientious and satisfactory manner, and much of its large success has been due to his able handling of its affairs. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist church.
Mr. and Mrs. Cowles had but one child of their own, a son, who died in infancy. They have adopted two children—Percy Weymouth and Marguerite Cocroft. The latter was the daughter of Harry and Georgia Cocroft. The former was the son of Daniel Weymouth and wife, and he was born in Texas, from which state he and his mother came to Walworth county on a visit and here she died.
Mr. Cowles is a man who delights in doing favors where they are needed, but it is always done in a quiet manner, for he does not seek the approval of his fellow men by such acts, merely that of his own conscience.
From: Beckwith, A.C. (1912). History of Walworth County Wisconsin