Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Mr. Jonathan David Coward and Mrs. Martha Louellen (Lou) Norton Coward

  • wcu_picturing-2628.jpg
  • This undated photograph shows Jonathan David "J. D." Coward (1851-1928) and his wife Martha Louellen (Lou) Norton Coward (1853-1936). J. D. Coward was a farmer in the Cullowhee Valley, operated a flour mill in the East LaPorte community, and opened his home to boarding students. He was one of the Noble Nine, a group of men who pledged to support Robert Lee Madison's efforts in training teachers for the betterment of the western North Carolina region. This teachers' college eventually grew to become Western Carolina University.