John Kissig Cowen

John Kissig Cowen (October 28, 1844 – April 26, 1904) was a U.S. Representative from Maryland, representing the 4th district from 1895 to 1896. He was president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from 1896 to 1901.

Early life John Kissig Cowen was born on October 28, 1844, near Millersburg, Ohio. His parents were born in Pennsylvania and his father was a blacksmith who learned the practice in Rising Sun, Maryland. Cowen attended the public schools and the local academies, including Vermillion Institute, at Fredericksburg and Hayesville, Ohio. Cowen taught school from 1862 to 1863 in Millersburg.

In 1863, Cowen attended Jefferson College, but left due to illness. He graduated from Princeton College in 1866. At Princeton, he met Robert Garrett, whose friendship would be instrumental in Cowen's life. In 1866, he taught at a high school in Millersburg. He then attended the University of Michigan Law School for one year. He was admitted to the bar of Ohio in 1868.

Personal life Cowen married Helen Woods. They had one daughter, Sara C.

In 1903, Cowen traveled to Mexico with Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, James K. Jones, Matthew Butler and Eugene Davis. Cowen died on April 25, 1904, at the home of his sister in Chicago, Illinois. He was interred in Oak Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Millersburg.