Adjutant General of the State of Ohio
Assistant Secretary of the Interior of the U.S.
Document Signed
(1831-1908) Born in Moorefield Township, Ohio, he became the owner and editor of the Belmont Chronicle, in Belmont County, Ohio, at the age of 17. He was Chief Clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives, 1860-61. He was elected Ohio Secretary of State, but resigned to pursue a military career when the Civil War broke out. On June 1, 1861, he was commissioned Major, and Additional Paymaster, U.S.V. He also served as Pay Agent for Ohio, and forwarded soldier's pay to their families and friends at home. In December, 1863, he was ordered to New Orleans, as chief paymaster of the Department of the Gulf; but before leaving for that post he was offered the position of Adjutant General of Ohio, by Governor Brough. He accepted this position and entered upon his new duties in January 1864. He received the successive appointments of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, Brevet Colonel, and Brevet Brigadier General, to date from March 13, 1865, for meritorious services while acting as Adjutant General of the State of Ohio in organizing, equipping and forwarding to the field, the troops known as the Ohio National Guards. Cowen was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Ohio in 1867, losing the nomination to General Rutherford B. Hayes. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Interior, from 1871-77, in President Grant's administration. Cowen is credited for helping to establish Yellowstone National Park. He was the editor of the Ohio State Journal in Columbus, Ohio, from 1882-84. From 1884, until his death in 1908, he served as Clerk of the United States Circuit and District Courts for the Southern District of Ohio.
Document Signed: 8 x 10, imprinted form, filled out in ink.
General Head Quarters, State of Ohio, Adjutant General's Office, Columbus, April 18th, 1867
It is hereby Certified, that the name of Edmond Thomas appears on the Muster and Descriptive Roll of Co. K, of the 68th Regiment of Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry now on file in this office; that he re-enlisted on the 10th day of December 1863, and was mustered into the service of the United States, on the 4th day of January 1864, and credited to the 10th Congressional District of Ohio, at large. It is futhermore certified that the said Edmond Thomas has been assigned to Wood County, Ohio, under the provision of an Act of the General Assembly of Ohio, passed March 7th, 1867.
B.R. Cowen Adjutant General of Ohio
Light age toning and wear. Very fine. |