Fresno County, California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


COWAN A. SAMPLE. � An unusually foreseeing and prosperous real 
estate and insurance agent, whose experience and judgment have been as 
valuable to his clients as to himself, is Cowan A. Sample, a native of Holmes 
County, Miss., where he was born on December 17, 1869, the son of A. D. 
and Anna Maria Sample. As early as 1874 his father came out to California, 
but returned to Mississippi and remained there until 1907, when he brought 
his family to the Coast. He is now living retired. 

Cowan Sample's elementary education was obtained in the Mississippi 
schools, and was completed at the Normal School at Buena Vista, Chickasaw 
County, in that state. For a while he worked in a general merchandise store 
in Mississippi, but suffering from broken health at the end of three years, he 
determined to come West. In April, 1890, he located at Fresno, and for ten 
years was with an uncle, D. C. Sample, in the sheep business. Then he 
formed a partnership with G. R. Shipp, but sold out after two years. For 
a year and a half he was manager of the California Ranch, and then he came 
to Fresno as the manager of the packing plant of the Fresno Meat Company. 

Severing his connection with the Fresno Meat Company, Mr. Sample 
went on the road as cattle and sheep buyer for O. M. Henry, and in that 
line of activity he continued until the latter's death. Then he bought for 
himself for a year, until the earthquake and fire in 1906 devastated San Fan- 
cisco. After that he joined S. C. Sample in the City Livery Stables, but in 
nineteen months sold his interest to his brother. Next he engaged in the min- 
ing business, and for five years was president and general manager of the 
Klamath River Mining Company. 

Once more disposing of his interests, Mr. Sample embarked in real 
estate, putting on the market the Howard Tract of five acres, which he very 
successfully sold out. Since then he has dealt in many ranches, vineyards 
and orchards, and in August, 1917, he formed a partnership with J. D. Mor- 
gan under the name of Sample & Morgan, and they do a general real estate 
business. 

July 22, 1903, witnessed the marriage of Mr. Sample to Miss Maud 
Brown.' They are the parents of four charming daughters: Anna, Grace, 
Virginia and Catherine. The Samples are Episcopalians. Mr. Sample is a 
favorite in the fraternal life of the Elks.