Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 16 text:

HERBERT W. COWAN F ROM August, 1882, to January, 1883, was in an architect’s office in Worcester. Then Moore tempted me to come West. Landed in Winnipeg and enlisted in an expedi¬ tion for the Northwest Territory to sub-divide government lands. After several months I joined a party headed by Moore and made for the United States. Landed in St. Paul in November, 1883, and became topographer on the Burlington road. In December, 1884, was in Chief Engineer’s office in La Crosse as draftsman, and remained until July, 1886, when 1 was transferred to Colorado, where I joined a surveying party and was in the Rocky Mountains from July, 1886, to February, 1887. From May to December, 1887, was reconnoitering a line to Los Angeles. Later, I made a trip of 1,400 miles with bronchos and buckboard, through Yellowstone Park in 60 days. September 1, 1888, went to work as Assistant Engineer on the Union Pacific, Colorado Division. Later, was Resident Engineer for one of the divisions. Am now Consulting Engineer for the Colorado Southern System. Was married about ten years ago, and have a boy a year old.

Page 18 text:

JOHN J. DONOVAN C AML to Montana in 1882 as rodman for the Northern Pacific R. R., and con¬ tinued with them in Montana and Washington until 1888,— my most important work being Engineer in Charge of the heavy mountain work of the Cascade Division and Montana Branch Line. Removed to Washington in the latter part of 1888, and settled in Bellingham Bay, where 1 have since lived. There were 500 people here when I came; now there are 33,000. Have been Chief Engineer and Manager of various mining and electrical companies, all of which have done fairly well, and have contributed their share toward the growth of the city and country. Nine years ago I became interested in a lumber company, which has grown so rapidly that a year ago I resigned from other companies to give it all of my time. We operate 23 miles of rail¬ road, 3 logging camps, 5 mills with 600 men and over. Have been a member of the American Society of C. E. for many years, am on the council of the National Economic League, and take interest in social and economic questions. Was married in 1888 and have three children, seventeen, fifteen and thirteen years of age.