Josephine Conlkin Cowles de L'Agnel may have been born about 1846. She married twice and had one son who died. She became a Baha'i about 1902 through meeting Ali Kuli Khan and then attending classes by Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl, then going on pilgrimage about 1905 for six weeks. She received individual tablets from `Abdu'l-Bahá and long served on the Local Spiritual Assembly of Washington DC. Her last husband Julius Adolph de L'Agnel was a soldier of rare respect and local history believes that 'Abdu'l-Bahá visited his gravesite in November 1912. After many years of service she passed away in December 1931.
Life as a Bahá'í[edit]
Josephine reported of her first steps towards the Bahá'í Faith in the annual meeting of the 1908 "Proceedings of the First International Congress in America for the Welfare of the Child" held under the auspices of the National Congress of Mothers.[1]
"…Some years ago while spending a winter in Washington I met a young Persian who was of noble birth and who had come to America on a mission. Prior to this I had lost my only son and he, knowing of my great loss, and being a stranger in a foreign land, begged that he might call me mother, -and so I took him into my life, and for seven years I have been called mother by this young Persian. From intimate association with him I learned much about his country and people, and later I had the opportunity of visiting the Far East. While there it was my pleasure to live in the families, and be entertained by those charming and delightful people. I sat at meat with them and formed the most intimate associations and I learned that if you wish to know about a people you must live with them and see their everyday life.… While in Paris I was entertained at a tea where sixteen of these young noblemen were invited. Their ages ranged from 10 to eighteen years. I have never witnessed more beautiful or refined manners. Two of these were princes, sons of the Shah, who were attending this school.… In a recent paper, by Madam Ali Kuli Khan, who spend some months in Persia, …"[1]
Her memorial notes her joining the religion in 1902.[2]
Note Ali Kuli Khan was a secretary of Abdu'l-Baha 1899-1901, then sent to America, married Florence Breed in 1904.[3] So Khan is in the States no more than a year before Josephine joins the Faith. Their ongoing friendship would no doubt have including continuing changes in Khan's life - his family went on pilgrimage in 1906, Marzieh Gail born 1908 and he was appointed Iranian charge d'affaires in Washington in 1910.
Josephine received an (unverified) tablet from `Abdu'l-Bahá about 1903:
To the Maid-servant of God! Mrs. Josephine Cowles.
Upon her be Baha’o’llah!
HE IS GOD! O thou who art cheered in soul by the Fragrances of God!
Verily I read thy words of thanksgiving to God for He hath guided thee to the Light of Guidance, caused thee to hear the Call from the Supreme Concourse, shown unto thee His mighty Signs and made thee a herald in His Name among mankind.
Blessed art thou for thou hast received teachings from His Holiness, Professor Abdul Fazl, and hast visited His Honor Khan with all joy, happiness and fragrance.
Verily, God shall surely confirm thee with the Spirit of Life, thou art in the Ark of Deliverance, and He shall chant unto thee the verses of steadfastness, that thou mayest keep firm at the violence of tests and against the power of trials.
Verily, God hath already forgiven thy fortunate son who hath ascended to the Supreme Friend, and verily he addresses thee in the most wonderful explanation and says: “O my loving mother! O that my people would know that my Lord hath forgiven me, and made me of those who have attained.”
As to thee! Know thou verily, the winds of tests shall surely wax violent in those regions, and will pull out (certain) trees from their roots. But the firm ones, their Lord will assist them with the greatest powers, and will stand trials even as solid mountains with-stand whirl-winds, hurricanes and storms. Know thou verily, every firm one will be well rooted through the Grace of thy Lord, and the Lord of the Kingdom will assist him with the hosts of His Holy Realm of Might and with the Angels of His Kingdom, from all directions.
I beg of God that thou mayest be of them (firm ones) and withstand every whirl-wind, shock, violence and calamity.
(Signed) Abdul Baha Abbas.
Translated by A.K. Khan. Jan. 23, 1903.[4]
As the tablet refers to classes with Abu'l Fadl it she be noted he arrived in the States in the fall of 1901 directly to Chicago and then moved to Washington DC in December 1901.[5] This could be the winter she refers to above. All along Ali Kuli Khan translated for him. In 1903 Abu'l-Fadl went to Green Acre and then left for Egypt in 1904.
Pilgrimage[edit]
In 1904 a quarter page article Cleveland Leader reviewed Cowles pilgrimage for 7 weeks as a guest of Mrs. J. N. Noble.[6] Her pilgrimage was as a guest of a Baha'i of Paris in April and left May 29. She offered many paragraphs of quotes to the article.
In 1925 Josephine's report of her 1905 pilgrimage was printed in Star of the West.[7] She reports being there six weeks ending with that year's Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh observance and reports on the full moon and storm on the night. The dates of her pilgrimage would be approximately April 27 to May 29, 1905. The full moon was May 18.[8]
In July 1909 Josephine was noted among the Baha'i "converts" in Washington.[9]
as Mrs de'Lagnel[edit]
About March 9, 1910 Josephine married Julius Adolph de'Lagnel. It was the second marriage for each.[10][11] The public notice mentions a service by Rev Dr. Joseph T. Kelly and that Josephine had relatives in diplomatic corps and a brother in China serving the government and that the marriage was arrived at after years of long acquaintance. deLagnel's previous wife appears to have passed away about 1900.[12][13]
In November 1910 "Mrs. Josephine C. DeLagnel" was listed as a contributor to cover the expenses for "Aga Jalal Khan" in the first class of the Tarbíyat School.[14] In 1911 she was helping out the Persian-American Society meetings.[15]
Julius deLagnel passed June 3, 1912. In November `Abdu'l-Bahá had been traveling east and arrived in DC the morning of Nov 7[16] where He stayed until Nov 10[17] from which He went to New York and then left the country. While in DC He is said to have visited Josephine[2] at "The Mendota" - a prominent apartment building often hosting diplomats and government office holders on the north side of the city that is still standing.[18] It is reported He also visited Julius' gravesite along with along with Charles Mason Remey, Nliza A. Duffield and Caludei Stuart Coles.[19]
In 1917 she was a delegate to "Bahai Temple Unity convention" in Boston serving out of Ithaca NY,[20] and as delegate for the national convention of 1920, this time for Washington DC.[21] She addressed the convention though what she said was not recorded.[22] At the convention she joined with Urbain LeDoux to draft a resolution for the passing of Joseph Hannen.[23]
In 1930 deLagnel assisted at social Teas[24] and hosted Art Promoters Club reception and musicale at Kalorama Rd home.[25]
Josephine's memorial was printed in Bahá'í News in February 1932[2] and in Bahá'í World, vol V.[26] It notes in glowing terms her service to the Cause including her many years on the LSA of Washington DC, general activity until the last six weeks of her life. Those records also report comments of `Abdu'l-Bahá for her: "She is My real daughter, there is no one who could be dearer to me than she is because she really serves. I love her. I love her very much." and "Every soul has a protector, but praise be to God thou hast God."
Her grave was identified[27] and around 2000 it was discovered her husband's grave marker has a Greatest Name emblem. This was not known for many years and the markers have degraded[28] and he is buried with other members of his family including previous wive(s?) in addition to Josephine.
Julius Adolph de'Lagnel[edit]
Julius Alfonso de'Lagnel served in the US Military first being noted as a captain in the army in 1860.[29] He is also distinguished in that though he was nominated to be a general of the South eventually, he declined the appointment.[30][31] His progress as an officer is a matter of public record[32] as well as being wounded[33] and suffered partial blindness.[34] Correspondence in the South's military also shows his industry.[35] After the war he donated to support orphans of soldier's families[36] served on an advisory board for the Society for the Restoration of Historic Alexandria in 1903,[37] and then sold his mansion in 1903 to serve first as a home for Civil War confederate soldiers[38] and today parts of it serve as a part time museum.[39] He died June 3, 1912.[40]
The tale at arsenal was retold in 1928 dedication.[41]
More "hits" are probably available at http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html (search for delagnel and some 31 hits for delagnet and 29 for "Josephine Cowles" that might apply. There are an additional 7 references unused as yet (hit "edit" to see.)
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Congress of Parents and Teachers (1908). "Child Life in Persia". Proceedings of the ... Annual Meeting. pp. 40–44.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|chapterurl=ignored (|chapter-url=suggested) (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 THE PASSING OF MME, deLAGNEL by Marian Haney, Baha'i News, February 1932 p. 7
- ↑ Ali-Kuli Khan becomes one of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s secretaries and begins translating His correspondence with the American Baha'is, (quoted from Marzieh Gail, Summon up Remembrance, pp. 107-113, posted on November 5, 2010
- ↑ BC#71-77A, Dwight Barstow collection of unverified tablets p. 45
- ↑ Gulpáygání, Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, by Moojan Momen
- ↑ "Woman who lived in house of one she believes to the divine master is a guest of Cleveland", Cleveland Leader (Cleveland, Ohio), October 9, 1904, p. 36
- ↑ Aqa and the Holy Tomb in 1905 by Josephine Cowles DeLagnel, Star of the West vol 16, No2, May 1925, p. 435–6
- ↑ Full Moon Dates Between (1900 - 2100), by Keith Cooley, 2000
- ↑ "Bahais teach new faith in Washginton", Evening Star (Washington, DC), July 11, 1909, p. 47
- ↑ Mrs. Josephine Conklin Cowles became Madame DeLagnel under "Washington DC" by Jos. H. Hannen - Star of the West, vol 1, no 2, April 9, 1910 p. 14.
- ↑ Octogenarian marries Seventy-Year-Old Bride The Washington Times., March 09, 1910, page 1, 5-6th col, bottom.
- ↑ Their family's vacation trips were recorded in newspapers mostly annually unto 1900 and from 1901 she is not mentioned again. See:
- returned home Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia), 28 November 1893 • Page 3
- returns from another trip to NY and Virginia mts. Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia) 1 October 1894 • Page 3
- another return Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia), 28 September 1895 • Page 3
- another return Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia), 3 April 1897 • Page 3
- another trip Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia), 19 July 1897 • Page 3
- another trip Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia), 10 July 1899 • Page 3
- big trip to California Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia), 28 March 1900 • Page 3
- - goes alone on trip Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia), 5 July 1901 • Page 3
- ↑ note this may have been Julius' third marriage - see R.E. Lee Camp Hall, JANUARY 22, 2011
- ↑ Persian-American Educational Society, Star of the West vol1, no 13, Nov 4, 1910, p. 6-8
- ↑ At the meeting…, The Washington Post (Washington, District of Columbia)30 Apr 1911, Sun • Page 3
- ↑ Are, Indeed, United States”, By CAITLIN SHAYDA JONES
- ↑ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey So Far: Month Seven By ROBERT SOCKETT
- ↑ The Mendota #54, DC Bahá'í Tour 2012
- ↑ St. Paul's Cemetery DC Bahá'í Tour, 2012
- ↑ Report of committee on delegates Star of the West, Vol 8, No. 10, Sept 8, 1917 p. 129–130
- ↑ Mrs. J. C. DeLagnel Star of the West, vol 10, no 18, Feb. 7. 1920, p. 331.
- ↑ Second Session by Alfred E Lunt, Star of the West, vol 10, no 18, Feb. 7. 1920, page 332
- ↑ Wednesday Morning session, April 28, 1920 Star of the West, vol 11, No. 11, Sept 27, 1920, p. 191-2 (bottom of page and top of next page)
- ↑ * "Mrs. Huntington Kidd will observe…", Evening Star (Washington (DC), District of Columbia), April 30, 1930, p.18
- ↑ "Art promoted offiers entertain for members", Evening Star (Washington (DC), District of Columbia), June 15, 1930, p. 58
- ↑ THE PASSING OF MME, deLAGNEL by Marian Haney, Baha'i World April 1932-1934, vol V, p. 421M
- ↑ Find-a-Grave
- ↑ Find-a-Grave
- ↑ Unusually honorable conduct on the part of a Rebel Officer, New-York Daily Tribune., September 08, 1861, Page 7, 6th col, middle
- ↑ [1] The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia), 24 August 1910 • Page 3
- ↑ [2] The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana), 15 August 1911 • Page 6
- ↑ *[3] Capt De l'Agnel in rebel artillery, Nashville Union and American., July 19, 1861, page 2
- [4] called a Major The Daily Dispatch., December 29, 1862, page 1, (Richmond [Va.])
- He was universally referred to a Colonel the remained of his life.
- ↑ [5] wounded caught? Nashville union and American., July 31, 1861, page 2 New-York daily tribune., September 08, 1861, Page 7 (citing Brooklyn Eagle)
- ↑ [6] mentions partial blindness Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia), 22 May 1894 • Page 3
- ↑ Frank Everson Vandiver (1994). Ploughshares Into Swords: Josiah Gorgas and Confederate Ordnance. Texas A&M University Press. pp. 146–7, 219n, 225, 239, 252. ISBN 978-0-89096-632-7.
- ↑ [7] - Major JA DeLagnel donated $250 for soldiers orphans from Virginia, The Weekly Standard (Raleigh, North Carolina) Wednesday, August 12, 1863 - Page 4
- ↑ [8] on advisory board The Washington times., March 25, 1903, Page 3
- ↑ Alexandria camp in its new home The Times Dispatch, May 17, 1903, Page 12, 5th col, bottom
- ↑ R.E. Lee Camp Hall, JANUARY 22, 2011
- ↑ "Civil war hero is dead; Col. Julius Adolph de Lagnel victim of heart failure", Evening Star (Washington, DC), June 3, 1912, p. 2
- ↑ Memorial on site of Confederate arsenal at Fayettiville; unveiling next Tuesday will be inaugurated with most imposing ceremonies, by Mrs. John H. Anderson, Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina) , May 20, 1928, p. 55
