Manufacturer Notes: Cowden & Wilcox

Cowden & Wilcox, Harrisburg, Pottery Sept. 1, 1862 

U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists
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Frederick H. Cowden, stoneware, Canal c Herr home 223 Forster 

1887-1890 Harrisburg Directories.
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John Cowden 45 Journeyman
Mary Cowden 40
Fred Cowden 16

1860 Pennsylvania Dauphin County Harrisburg Ward 3 Census
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Isaac Wilcox 28 No occupation

1860 New York Wayne County Lyons Census
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When Frederick H. Cowden was two years old, his parents moved to a farm about three miles from Linglestown, where he received his primary education. At thirteen years of age he removed with his parents to Harrisburg, and completed his education in the City schools. He learned the pottery trade, and with the exception of one year spent in the army during the late war, he has been continuously engaged in this business for thirty-four years. In 1867 he became partner in this business with his father and Isaac J. Wilcox. Since 1881 he has conducted the business solely in his own interest. He has made the Harrisburg pottery a successful manufacturing establishment and Harrisburg stoneware justly celebrated throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Egle, William H.; Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County Pennsylvania (Chambersburg, J. M. Runk & Company, 1896).
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The Cowden and Wilcox pottery, located along the banks of the Pennsylvania Canal in Harrisburg, was one of the largest in the state

Troy, Jack; Salt-Glazed Ceramics (New York, Watson-Guptill Publications, 1977).
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Amongst the most important of the eastern Pennsylvania stoneware potteries was the firm started by John Wallace Cowden and Isaac J. Wilcox. After 1867, John's son Frederick took part in the business and remained after his father's death in 1872 and Wilcox's retirement in 1885. In, 1896, J. W. Cowdon joined his father Frederick, and the company remained in business until 1915.

Lang, Gordon, & Denker, Ellen; Miller's Pottery & Porcelain Marks (New York, Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 1995).
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