Volney F. Cowles   VOLNEY F. COWLES, a well known agriculturist and ex-official of Spencer township, Kent county, Mich., is a native of Berea, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, was born November 21, I8'5, and is the eldest of five children-four sons and one daughter-born to Shepard B. and Louise (Fletcher) Cowles, a full biography of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. It may here be mentioned, however, that the subject of this biographical notice descends from an ancient English family, the progenitor of the American branch having been born on Albion's isle in 1695, and in his day quite prominently known in New England as John Cowles. Volney F. Cowles was a child of four years when his father, a hero of the Mexican and Civil wars, settled in Michigan among the pioneers of Spencer township, Kent county. At that time Indians still roamed at will through the wilderness that surrounded the rude cabin occupied by his parents and family; wolves made i( night hideous " with their barking and growling, and even bears were occasional visitors, terrifying the children when they strayed too far from the cabin door. But to compensate for these annoyances, deer also abounded, and a little expenditure of either cash or farm produce for powder and ball sufficed to keep the family table supplied with ample food. Educational advantages in the early days of the life of Mr. Cowles were at a discount, and at nine years of age the first school he attended was held in the rude log cabin, Miss Louisa Ingraham being his teacher. The cost of educating the children was paid through the " rate bill," which was levied on each family according to the number of children who had attained school age. Volney F. Cowles is a practical brick and stonemason and plasterer, which trade he began to learn when he was sixteen years old. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, meantime giving them his earnings. He aided in building the Cedar Springs high school, of which his father was superintendent of construction. In I877 he traveled through portions of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Mississippi. February 29, I880, Mr. Cowles wedded Mrs. Mary M. Powell, whose maiden name was Kennedy, and three children have graced this union, viz: Clifton V., Glenn S., and Gladys L. Mrs. Mary M. Cowles was born near Sparta, Ontario, June 17, 1847, and is a daughter of Alonzo and Harriet D. (Cook) Kennedy, who were the parents of five sons and six daughters, of whom Mrs. Cowles is the only survivor. She was a child of nine years when she came to Michigan with her parents, who purchased forty acres in Vergennes township, Kent county, but subsequently sold this property and removed to Greenville, Montcalm county. Both are deceased. When Mr. Cowles and wife began their married life on their present farm of 120 acres, he was $i, oo in debt. He also had to secure a team, cow, implements, etc., on credit. About twenty-five acres of their land had been cleared off, but the stumps remained, and it required an immense amount of hard labor to put it in a condition for cultivation. They now own I60 acres with I20 acres well cultivated and highly improved. They are free from mortgage, and their industry, frugality and perseverance afford a worthy example to the rising element or the township. Mr. Cowles cast his first presidential vote for Peter Cooper, the great apostle of the greenback party. He has been several times selected to represent his people in county conventions. He was elected township clerk in 1882 by the republicans, and re-elected yearly until i885, when he was chosen supervisor. In 1886 he was again' elected township clerk, and this office he has filled altogether for eleven years-a fact which indicates that his constituents have great faith in his integrity and ability, and this is further evinced by the fact that he was elected township treasurer in 1896. He and wife are warm friends of the public schools and favor the employment of the best teachers. Mr. Cowles has in his possession a copy of the Cowles' Genealogical Tree, running back to I695, and compiled by Capt. Calvin D. Cowles, of the regular United States army; he also has the original deed, signed by President Franklin Pierce, to the land in Spencer township, entered by his father, Shepard B. Cowles. Volney F. Cowles is a member of Evans tent, No. 785, Knights of tire Maccabees, and Mrs. Cowles is a member of hive No. 696, L. O. T. M. Miss Marion A. Cowles, half-sister of Volney F. Cowles, has made her home with him and wife since she was four years of age. She is now a teacher of music. Mr. and Mrs. Cowles are of the pioneer families of north Kent county, and stand among the most prominent residents of their section of the state, and live fully up to the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."