Nelson Shaw Cowden, 76, lifelong resident of Osawatomie and well-known city and county leader, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 1983, at the Miami County Hospital.

Son of the Late Wm. P. and Sarah Shaw Cowden, he was born near Osawatomie, Oct. 10, 1906. On Jan. 26, 1929, he was married to Jessie L. Johnson in Olathe.

Mr. Cowden began working for the United States Postal Service in 1928. He retired in 1965 after 37 years of service.

He and his wife operated a small grocery store and gas station at the west edge of Osawatomie for several years.

Mr. Cowden was very interested in affairs of his community and Miami County. He was elected Miami County commissioner in 1968, 1972 and again in 1980. He served a total of 10 years as commissioner until his failing health forced his retirement in 1982, halfway through his third term.

He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Osawatomie, the BPOE Lodge No. 921 and the Osage Valley Lodge No. 24 AF&AM.

A brother and a sister also preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Jessie Cowden of the home at Osawatomie; a son, William Cowden, and a daughter, Mrs. Nancy Brownback, both of rural Parker; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, and his sister, Mrs. Bernice Shults of Osawatomie.

Services were held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home at Osawatomie. Dr. Alan Smith officiated. Jerry Hardesty, accompanied by Mrs. Nelle Dollar, sang "Take My Hand Precious Lord."

Burial was in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Thurman Miller, Allen Brownback, Samuel Brownback, James Brownback, Gerald Bogar and Robert Newport.

Memorials have been established in Mr. Cowden's name to the Osawatomie PRIDE Committee.