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 EWELL S. COZAD. There is probably not within the limits of Falls Township a more prosperous or enterprising citizen than he with whose name we introduce this sketch. He is descended from an ancestry possessing marked peculiarities and who were noted almost uniformly for their wealth and influence in the communities where they resided. The landed possessions of Mr. Cozad embrace one thousand broad acres in Sumner and Kingman Counties, this State, including one of the finest farms on section 15. Falls Township, where he settled in the spring of 1880. He also owns three hundred and forty town lots in Caldwell and valuable real estate in Cleveland, Ohio, where he spends the greater part of his time. In addition to the prosecution of farming extensively, he is also largely interested in live stock, of which he possesses a thorough knowledge and which yields him large returns.The subject of this sketch was born in Cleveland,Ohio, July 23, 1831, and is the son of Samuel and Mary (Condit) Cozad, the former of whom was a native of New Jersey. The parents of Samuel Cozad upon leaving that State settled in Washingington County, Pa., when their son was a child of two years. Ten years later they removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where the father departed this life in 18711. He was a successful farmer and a man of large means leaving an estate valued at $300,000. His farm occupied ground now included in Wade Park, which is one of the most popular resorts of the people of the Forest City. Samuel Cozad in early life was a Presbyterian in his religious views, but afterward, in company with fifteen others, organized the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church in Cleveland, and was largely instrumental in the erection of the church edifice. He contributed liberally to the support of the society until his death. In early manhood he had served as a soldier in the War of 1812. His father, likewise named Samuel, was a native of New Jersey and of French descent. The mother of Mr. Cozad was likewise a native of New Jersey, where she was reared to woman-hood. When she was nineteen years old her parents removed to Ohio, they likewise settling in the city of Cleveland where Miss Mary met her future husband and where they were married. She died in Cleveland, Ohio, September 5, 1871. Grandfather Abner Condit was likewise a native of New Jersey. To Samuel, Jr., and Mary Cozad there was born a family of six children, viz; Silas H., Hettie A., Mary C., William, Newell S. and Martha J. Hettie and Newell are the only surviving members of the family; the former is the wife of J. D. Bennett and is living in Kingston, N. Y. Mr. Cozad was reared at the old homestead in the vicinity of Cleveland and attended the city schools until sufficiently advanced to enter an academy. Later he was in college two years. He then took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in Cleveland about 1855. He practiced two years only but, being inclined to a more active life, then abandoned the profession and turned his attention to farming and gardening near the city, which vocation he prosecuted successfully until 1876. That year, coming to Kansas, he purchased land and began dealing in cattle with such success that he has since prosecuted the business and become independent, financially. In the meantime his son Charles, under the able tuition of his father, has also developed fine business qualifications, and the two together are members of the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association, having large pastures in the Territory and operating under the firm name of Cozad & Son. Mr. Cozad is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, to which he gives a liberal support, and in politics he is a sound Republican, strongly advocating prohibition doctrines. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Cozad, in 1861, joined the army with the “Squirrel Hunters” from Cleveland, a body of men organized to protect the southern border of Ohio. In 1864 he joined the regular army, enlisting in Company D, One-hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Infantry, serving one hundred days. His services being then no longer required, he received his honorable discharge and returned to the pursuits of civil life. The marriage of Newell 8. Cozad and Miss Sarah J. Goe, of Cortland, Ohio, was celebrated at the bride's home June 16, 1858. Mrs. Cozad was born in Cortland. May 7, 1835, and is a daughter of John and Mary (Meek) Goe, who were natives, respectively, of Ireland and Pennsylvania. The latter spent their last years at Cortland, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Cozad there have been born a son and daughter, the latter named Mary A. and now the wife of George W. Bradford, of Caldwell. Charles N. is unmarried and remains at home with his parents. The home farm has been brought to a high state of cultivation and embellished with modern buildings. Everything which cultivated tastes and ample means can afford has been brought together in the improvement of the premises, and it is not only a matter of pride to the people of the neighborhood, but is the means of enriching the county treasury each year by a handsome sum in the way of taxes. Mr. Cozad occupies no secondary position among the prominent men of this county and has contributed his full quota toward advancing its material interests. |
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