When Clarence James Cowgill and his twin brother Clarence were born on October 23, 1896, in Elwood, Indiana, their mother, Malinda, was 34. He had two brothers and three sisters. He enlisted in the Army on August 18, 1915. He served on Mexican border and later was assigned as Private in Battery C, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He died on June 5, 1918 and is now buried in Parkview Cemetery, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana, USA .