William S. Cowles

William Sheffield Cowles (August 1, 1846 – May 1, 1923) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy.

Early life William Sheffield Cowles was born on August 1, 1846, in Farmington, Connecticut, to Elizabeth (née Sheffield) and Thomas Cowles. His brother was rear admiral Walter C. Cowles. He attended public schools in Farmington. He was commissioned as an ensign in 1869. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1871 and lieutenant commander in 1892. He was commissioned as a commander on June 5, 1898. After September 30, 1899, he served briefly as assistant chief of the bureau of navigation. He was also naval aide to Theodore Roosevelt. He was promoted to captain on November 2, 1902. In 1906, he was chief of the board of equipment and a member of the board of construction. He was named rear admiral on April 23, 1908. In July 1908, he was the American naval representative at the Quebec Tercentenary. He was an official representative at the coronation of King George V in 1911.

Personal life Cowles married Mary Thurman, the oldest daughter of Ohio politician Allen G. Thurman, on February 18, 1873. In November 1889, Thurman divorced Cowles. They did not have any children.

On November 25, 1895, Cowles married Anna "Bamie" Roosevelt, daughter of philanthropist Theodore Roosevelt Sr. and socialite Martha Stewart "Mittie" Bulloch and elder sister of President Theodore "T.R." Roosevelt Jr. William and Bamie had one son, William Jr. (1898–1986), who was a Connecticut State Representative and Mayor of Farmington. William and Bamie are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Farmington, Connecticut.

In 1911, he moved back to Farmington permanently. He was a member of the Congregational Church and taught in the Sunday school. He was a member of the University Club of New York, the New York Yacht Club, the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, the Metropolitan Club and the Tennis and Racquet Club.

Cowles died of a heart ailment on May 1, 1923, at his Oldgate home in Farmington. He was buried in Farmington Cemetery.