Bill, My database shows the following: Alexander M. Cowden, born 31 May 1855 Crawfordsville, Washington, Iowa Alexander M. was the son of Alexander Cowden and Margaret Lackey. Alexander Cowden (the father), born 30 Apr 1795 in Pennsylvania Alexander was the son of Joseph Cowden and Mary May Joseph Cowden, born Oct 1765 Joseph Cowden was the son of John Cowden and Mary Reynolds. John Cowden supposedly died about 1776 while migrating westward with his family from eastern Pennsylvania. His widow, Mary Reynolds Cowden, eventually settled with her children in what is now Washington Co, Pennsylvania, where many Cowdens still reside, including my branch of the family. Let me know if I can be of more help. Dick Wert DickWert@aol.com