John Cowan (abt. 1866 - 1953)

Born about 22 Nov 1866 in Redbanks, South Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Johnston (Jones) Cowan — married 10 Feb 1892 (to 8 Mar 1953) in Murray Bridge, South Australia, Australia

Descendants

Died 8 Mar 1953 at about age 86 in Murray Bridge, South Australia, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Cowan [send private message]

Biography

John Cowan was born in Redbanks, South Australia during 1866. He is the son of Thomas Cowan and Mary Jane Armstrong. He passed away in Murray Bridge, South Australia during 1953.

John was born in Redbanks, South Australia on 6 December 1866 to Thomas Cowan and Mary Armstrong..^[1] The following birth notice was published in the newspaper, The South Australian Register, on 23 November 1866.^[2]

COWAN.—On the 22nd November, at Port Gawler (sic), the wife of Thomas Cowan, of a son. Both well.

John married Elizabeth Johnston Jones in Murray Bridge, South Australia on 10 February 1892.^[3]

John died in Murray Bridge, South Australia on 8 March 1953 at the age of 86 years.^[4] The following death notice was published in the South Australian newspaper, The Advertiser, on 9 March 1953:^[5]

COWAN.— On March 8, at S.M. Hospital, Murray Bridge, John, dearly loved husband of Elizabeth Cowan (of Glen Lossie). Murray Bridge, and loving father of John, Elizabeth, Nance, Marjory and Max. In his 87th year, so mote it be.

John was buried at the Murray Bridge Cemetery in Murray Bridge, South Australia on 9 March 1953.^[6][5]

The following obituary was published in the South Australian newspaper, The Advertiser on 9 March 1953.^[7]

Death Of Sir John Cowan

Sir John Cowan, veteran pastoralist. former State Minister and one time doyen of the South Australian Parliament, died yesterday at his home (sic). Glen Lossie, near Murray Bridge, in his 88th year.

He was of pioneer stock, for his grandfather (another John Cowan) reached South Australia in 1852 in the ship Epaminondas. His father. Mr. Thomas Cowan, once represented Yatala in the (House of) Assembly. All things considered, therefore. this State owes a good deal to the family.

Sir John Cowan was born at Redbanks, near Two Wells, on November 22, 1866 and was educated at Whinham College, whence he went to Milang, to manage a property there on his father's behalf.

In 1881, he acquired his own holding at Glen Lossie— some four miles from Murray Bridge— which was eventually to be recognised as one of the finest pastoral properties on the river.

Local Activities

Always vigorous and public-spirited, he was soon actively engaged in the work of local government.

He was a member of the Mobilong District Council for 20 years, and its chairman for 15 years.

He was the first president of Murray Bridge Agricultural Society, and retained that office for 38 years. His record as chairman of the local primary school committee was even more remarkable. He reliquished the position in 1947 after having occupied it continuously for half a century.

Sir John Cowan's Parliamentary career began in 1910, when he was elected to the Legislative Council for the Southern District, and ended only upon his retirement on the score of advancing years, in 1944.

By 1938. he held the record for the longest continuous term of service of any member in either House. For 20 years he was Government Whip in the Legislative Council.

His knowledge of pastoral affairs, and of the problems and possibilities of the Murray lands, in particular, was extensive, and clearly qualified him for appointment to the Ministry.

Ministerial Posts

He was Minister of Agriculture. Assistant Minister of Repatriation, and Minister of Town Planning in the Barwell Government from November 14,1920. to April 16, 1924, and Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Repatriation and Immigration in the Butler Government from April 8, 1927. to April 17, 1930.

He did valuable work in the matter of afforestation, as well as having a major share in the development of the Murray Valley.

He was knighted in 1944, on the eve of his retirement from active participation in State politics.

In 1892, he married Miss Elizabeth Jones, of Edinburgh and in February last year, at the homestead at Glen Lossie. he and Lady Cowan celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

With Lady Cowan, two sons —Mr. Cowan. MLC, and Mr. Max Cowan — and three daughters— Mesdames C. A. Reiners, W. H. James, and A. Hosie survive.

Funeral Today

Sir John Cowan will be buried today at Murray Bridge.

The State Government offered the relatives a State funeral but they had decided against this. The Premier said last night that Sir John Cowan had had a long and distinguished political career.

He would be remembered as Minister of Agriculture and for the prominent part he played in the promotion of organised marketing in the dried fruit industry. His death would be very greatly regretted by many of his political friends and by his constituents of the Southern districts in the Legislative Council.

His son, Mr. J. L. Cowan (LCL) was a successful candidate for the same district at Saturday's elections.

Notes

1. Date of birth - the birth certificate transcription has 6 December 1866 while newspaper birth notices published before the above date state that John was born on 22 November 1866.
2. Place of death - the newspaper death notices state that he died in the Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Murray Bridge while newspaper reports of his death state that he died at home.

Sources

1. ↑ Genealogy SA, Online Database Search for Birth Registration, accessed 13 August 2022 (Subscription required to view full details of the above source), Search result follows - Surname: COWAN, Given Names: John, Date of Birth: 06-Dec-1866, Gender: M, Father: Thomas COWAN, Mother: Mary Jane ARMSTRONG, Birth Residence: Port Gawler (sic), District: Port Gawler, Book/Page: 49/164
2. ↑ 1866 'Family Notices', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 23 November, p. 2. , viewed 23 Dec 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article41031331
3. ↑ Genealogy SA, Online Database Search for Marriage Registration, accessed 13 August 2022 (Subscription required to view full details of the above source), Search result follows - Groom Surname: COWAN, Groom Given Names: John, Bride Surname: JONES, Bride Given Names: Elizabeth Johnston, Marriage Date: 10-Feb-1892, Marriage Place: Res of J Jones Murray Bridge, Groom Age: 25, Groom Marital Status: S, Groom Father: Thomas COWAN, Bride Age: 20, Bride Marital Status: S, Bride Father: John JONES, District: Nairne, Book/Page: 170/521
4. ↑ Genealogy SA, Online Database Search for Death Registration, accessed 13 August 2022 (Subscription required to view full details of the above source), Search result follows - Surname: COWAN, First Names: John, Death Date: 08-Mar-1953, Age: 86, Gender: M, Marital Status: M, Place of Death: Murray Bridge, Residence: Murray Bridge, Relative: Not Recorded, District: Pinnaroo, Book/Page: 794/1366
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} 1953 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 9 March, p. 16. , viewed 13 Aug 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48283291
6. ↑ Murray Bridge Council, Cemetery Data Search, viewed 10 December 2022, https://www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/services/your-community/facilities-for-the-community/cemeteries?action=grave&id=148605, Search result follows - Surname COWAN, Given names: John (Sir), Cemetery name: Murray Bridge Cemetery, Cemetery section: East Main Path, Plot: 268, Last residence: MURRAY BRIDGE, Date of burial: 9/03/1953, Age: 86 years, Minister: Reverend Belcher, Permit number: 99, Burial number: 2017
7. ↑ 1953 'Death Of Sir John Cowan', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 9 March, p. 2. , viewed 11 Feb 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48283379

External links

• Wikipedia: profile
• Australian Dictionary of Biography profile
• Find a Grave Memorial

John Cowan was born in the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

John Cowan is Notable.