Charles Holden Cowles was born on July 16, 1875, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Cowles was the editor of the Wilkes Patriot newspaper when he registered for the draft (World War I) in September 1918. During the war, he served as a member of the Wilkes County Council of Defense. He additionally held several public offices throughout his career, including state legislator (elected 1906, 1920, 1922, 1924, 1928, and 1932) and United States Congressman (seated 1909-1911). Cowles died in Mocksville (Davidson County) on October 2, 1957.