Janet Catherine Cowen

Always interested in the history and genealogy of her own family, after retiring from teaching in 1975, she became a professional genealogist and worked with her husband, Carl, to help others with their genealogy research by using the records at the Indiana State Library, nearby courthouses, and other institutions. In connection with this interest, she collected, indexed, and published information on land records, courthouse records, and cemetery records for parts of southern and central Indiana. Janet Catherine joined the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) in 1957 and was a co-founder and the organizing Regent of the Mary Bryan Chapter of Greenwood in 1979. She helped many women join the DAR and was Chair of Genealogical Records for two state Regents during the late 1980's. In addition, she worked to charter the John George Society, a chapter of the Children of the American Revolution, and encouraged the youth of that organization to appreciate our local and national history and be patriotic and dedicated citizens. She was also a member of the Indiana Historical Society for many years. After moving to Mooresville, Janet became a member of the Southport United Presbyterian Church, in Southport. Later she worked to organize a new church, Hope United Presbyterian Church, in Plainfield and after that was involved in building the Center Grove United Presbyterian Church. Throughout her life, she remained interested in and connected to the Hanover Presbyterian church, celebrating many family events there, including the 50th Anniversary celebration of her marriage to Carl. Janet will be remembered by her family and friends as a dedicated gardener, a curious traveler, and one who celebrated local history and the legacy of our forebears. She leaves her son, Carl C. Cowen, Jr. and his wife, Janice Wheater-Cowen, of Indianapolis, two grandchildren, Carol Mathew of West Lafayette and Craig Cowen of Indianapolis, and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Kyle Mathew. Graveside services will be at 11:30am, Saturday, October 10 at the Hanover Cemetery, Lowery Lane, Hanover, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hanover Presbyterian Church or to Hanover College's Dunn-Young-Craig-Cowen Campus Beautification Fund or the Andrew Harvey Young Scholarship Fund.