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Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Cowles (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Cowles. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the west contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Cowles is located in Webster County.

To see how the shape of Nebraska's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Webster County: Jewell (KS), Smith (KS), Adams, Clay, Franklin, Kearney & Nuckolls.

Below are the counties that are near Cowles. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Cowles:

  • Webster County     (The home county of Cowles)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Cowles, with the one closest to Cowles listed first.
    • Amboy
      (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Red Cloud
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Pawnee Village
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pawnee Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pawnee Village
      • Pawnee Village is located in Webster County
    • Rosemont
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Guide Rock
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Guide Rock have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Guide Rock
      • Guide Rock is located in Webster County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 197 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Guide Rock <1>
    • Blue Hill
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Blue Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blue Hill
      • Blue Hill is located in Webster County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 850 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Blue Hill <1>
    • Inavale
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Bladen
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Adams County
  • Clay County
  • Franklin County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Cowles, with the one closest to Cowles listed first.
    • Campbell
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Riverton
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
    • Upland
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Macon
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • Franklin
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Franklin have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Franklin
      • Franklin is located in Franklin County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 899 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Franklin <1>
  • Kearney County
  • Nuckolls County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Cowles, with the one closest to Cowles listed first.
    • Lawrence
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lawrence have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lawrence
      • Lawrence is located in Nuckolls County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 278 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lawrence <1>
    • Nelson
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the east)
    • Superior
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Angus
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
    • Nora
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the east)
    • Hardy
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
    • Oak
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
    • Ruskin
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ruskin have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ruskin
      • Ruskin is located in Nuckolls County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 113 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ruskin <1>
  • Jewell County (KS)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Cowles, with the one closest to Cowles listed first.
    • Burr Oak
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Burr Oak have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burr Oak
      • Burr Oak is located in Jewell County (KS)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 160 people
    • Esbon
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Esbon have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Esbon
      • Esbon is located in Jewell County (KS)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 91 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Esbon <1>
    • Webber
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Webber have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Webber
      • Webber is located in Jewell County (KS)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 24 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Webber <1>
    • Mankato
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
  • Smith County (KS)

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Cowles, see our County-by-County Page for Cowles.

Cemeteries Near Cowles ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Cowles.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Cowles covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Cowles, with the one closest to Cowles listed first.

  • Cowles Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
  • Pleasant Hill Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pleasant Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pleasant Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Mulkey Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mulkey Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mulkey Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Batin Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Immanuel Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Immanuel Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Immanuel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Eckley Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Eckley Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Eckley Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Salem Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Salem Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Salem Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Monia Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Monia Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Monia Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Red Cloud Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Red Cloud Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Red Cloud Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Martin Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Martin Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Martin Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Dane Lutheran Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the west)
  • Murphy Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Murphy Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Murphy Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (122 more) ...
    • Beaver Creek Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Beaver Creek Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Beaver Creek Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Walker Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Walker Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Walker Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Wagoner Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wagoner Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wagoner Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<6>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Cowles had a population of 310 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Cowles had a population of 27 people.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Cowles, with the one closest to Cowles listed first.

  • Amboy
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
  • Red Cloud
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Guide Rock
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Guide Rock have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Guide Rock
    • Guide Rock is located in Webster County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 197 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Guide Rock <1>
  • Rosemont
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
  • Blue Hill
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Blue Hill have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Blue Hill
    • Blue Hill is located in Webster County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 850 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Blue Hill <1>
  • Inavale
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Mount Clare
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mount Clare have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Clare
    • Mount Clare is located in Nuckolls County
  • Lawrence
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lawrence have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lawrence
    • Lawrence is located in Nuckolls County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 278 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lawrence <1>
  • Bladen
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
  • Northbranch
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Northbranch have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Northbranch
    • Northbranch is located in Jewell County (KS)
  • Bostwick
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bostwick have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bostwick
    • Bostwick is located in Nuckolls County
  • Riverton
    (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Pauline
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pauline have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pauline
      • Pauline is located in Adams County
    • Campbell
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Ayr
      (18 miles [29 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ayr have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ayr
      • Ayr is located in Adams County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 120 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ayr <1>

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Cowles. See our List of 1890's Communities around Cowles.

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Cowles ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 76 newspapers that have been published in the area around Cowles.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Cowles. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Cowles and those printed in the larger area surrounding Cowles.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<4> of Cowles.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we begin with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Cowles:

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Cowles. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for Webster County: www.co.webster.ne.us/

The official website for State of Nebraska: https://www.nebraska.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<2>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<3>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Cowles) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Cowles. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 40.1715, Longitude: -98.4476       In this case, the coordinates for Cowles have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<5>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<6>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Cowles, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 28 Apr 2025