Israel Burr Cowen (sometimes spelled Cowan) was born in Buncombe, WI in 1828. He came west to California as part of the 1849 Gold Rush. After hearing of the gold finds near Pierce, he came by boat from San Francisco to Portland and up the Columbia and Snake rivers to Lewiston and then overland on to Pierce in what was then Shoshone County. For a few years after his arrival in 1862, he was involved in mining.

Later he held various postions of trust such as being sheriff, county commissioner, probate judge, Pierce postmaster and a legislator. He also taught school for a few months. He died at the Shoemaker Hospital in Orofino at the age of 93 in 1922, was embalmed at the Orofino Undertaker's Parlor and buried in Pierce.

A news article at the time of his death characterizes him as: "efficient, scrupulously honest, always courteous and commanding the confidence and respect of everyone."

Judge Israel B. Cowen (Photo courtesy of Clearwater Historical Museum)

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