Of Norwalk, Connecticut, was born at New Hartford, and was fifty-six years of age when this drawing was made. By that time he had been a member of the Connecticut General Assembly in 1881 and 1882 and had been re-elected in 1883 by a very flattering vote, leading his party handsomely. This was the first time in over fourty years that Norwalk had the same Representative for three consecutive sessions. Mr. Cowles graduated at Williams College in the class of 1845, and studied law in the office of Chief-Justice Butler. After two years of practice his health failed and he retired for a time from active work. Subsequently he engaged in the insurance business and acted as agent for several Hartford companies, including Aetna, Hartford and Phoenix. In 1860, on incorporation of the Norwalk Insurance Company, he became its Secretary, which position he held permanently. He was also for many years Burgess of the Bourough of Norwalk. Mr. Cowles was a Republican.