Stephen Cowley was born in Ft. Lincoln, North Dakota on February 5, 1881. He grew up to become a lawyer, after attending both the University of North Dakota and the University of Wisconsin. After graduating and practicing in North Dakota for a time, he moved to Great Falls, Montana. In addition to being a successful lawyer in his private practice, Cowley held a rank of major as judge advocate during both the Spanish-American War and World War I. Sometime during his military service in World War I, he contracted encephalitis. This disease plagued him for the last twenty years of his life. Cowley died of a fall down his stairs on July 5, 1946.
The collection is divided into four series: Series I: General Correspondence, 1921-1962, includes both personal and business letters. Personal letters mainly to Mary Cowley, a few to Stephen included. Letters from various banks, a transfer agent, and the military department comprise the business portion of the letters. Series II: Speeches and Writings, 1907-1916, contains both undated and dated writings, personal and business-related. Speeches are mostly those done at various Elks Club organizations. Also included in his personal writings are essays on poetry and French History. Court case speeches related to his law practice are also included. Also includes writing of others which range from the spiritual to the humorous. Series III: Legal Documents, 1928-1964, contains various documents including burial lot and land deeds, death certificate, and will. Series IV: Clippings, undated consists of two articles, “The Acid Test of Peace” and “Mary Cowley Leaves $140,000 Fund to MSU”.
The collection is divided into four series:
Series I: General Correspondence, 1921-1962
Series II: Speeches and Writings, 1907-1916
Series III: Legal Documents, 1928-1964
Series IV: Clippings, undated
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and the University of Montana-Missoula.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana
[Name of document or photograph number], Stephen Cowley Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
This collection was transferred to the Archives from the UM law school in 1981. It was originally part of the Robert Sullivan Papers.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.