Abstract The Cowley family papers consist of biographical sketches of several members of the Cowley family, particularly Mattias Foss Cowley and Samuel Parkinson Cowley. Included is a 10 page handwritten biography of Samuel P. Cowley by his father, Mattias F. Cowley. Mattias Foss Cowley was dropped from the Mormon Church Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1893 for continuing to practice polygamy. Samuel P. Cowley was an F.B.I. agent who was killed in a gun battle with "Baby face" Nelson in 1934.

Abstract The Samuel Parkinson Cowley collection (1934) consist of a funeral report, supplemented by a memorial service address. Cowley (1899-1934) was a special agent with the U. S. Justice Department, Division of Investigations. He was killed in a shootout with "Baby Face" Nelson, becoming the first federal agent killed in the line of duty.