GARRETT COWLS was born in Camden on August 1, 1850 to William and Mary Cowls. His father was a railroad worker. Garret Cowls was too young to see action during the Civil War, but served with the United States Army during the Indian Wars. He apparently returned to the Army during the Spanish-American War as well.

Garrett Cowls was known in his time as the father of baseball in Camden. In 1868 he organized and pitched on a team which played its games on grounds at South 2nd and Line Streets. He would remain involved with the game most of the rest of his life, and managed a team which played at that location for many years.

Garrett Cowls married Margaret Duff. At least four children were born, Elmer, Frederick, Harry, and Laura. Shortly after the 1868 baseball season, the family went west. Frederick Cowls was born in Ohio in December of 1879. The family was living in Columbus when the Census was taken in 1880, Garrett Cowls then working as a waiter. The Cowls returned to Camden by 1887. 

By 1887 the Cowls family was living at 215 Line Street. Garrett Cowls was working as an engineer. Two more children had been born in the intervening years, Harry around 1882 and Laura in 1885. By 1890 they had moved to 420 South 2nd Street. Garrett Cowls and family had moved to 314 Birch Street in North Camden by the time the Census was enumerated in 1900. 

In 1905 Laura Cowls married vaudeville performer Joseph P. Hamilton. Their daughter, Kathryn "Kay" Hamilton also went into show business. Kay Hamilton worked on vaudeville, movies, and on Broadway, appearing with Eddie Dowling and George Jessel.

The family, which in 1910 included the Hamiltons and their children, lived at 326 Cooper Street in Camden. Dr. Daniel Strock, who owned the property, lived in a separate apartment in the same building. Garrett Cowls was then working as a stationary engineer.

Garrett Cowls was still alive when the census was taken in April of 1930. He and son Harry were living with Joseph and Laura Cowls Hamilton at 501 Haddon Avenue in Camden.

Garrett Cowls passed away sometime after the April 1930 Census. on December 5, 1919. He is buried at Bethel Cemetery in Pennsauken NJ, in Section D, grave 252.