John Cowan

Background

Cowan who was born at Portuguese Gawler, South Australia, was the third son of Thomas Cowan, a farmer, and his wife Mary Jane, née Armstrong.

Education

He was educated at Whinham College in North Adelaide.

Career

The Honorary After completion of his schooling, he managed a property owned by his father at Milang, South Australia. In 1881, Cowan purchased land near Murray Bridge, South Australia which he would develop and retain until his death. Cowan served as a councillor on the District Council of Mobilong from 1892 to 1912 including the role of chairman from 1896 to 1912.

He was elected to the Legislative Council district of the Southern District on 2 April 1910 and held this seat until his retirement on 29 February 1944.

Cowan served as the Minister of Agriculture, the Assistant Minister of Repatriation and the Minister of Town Planning in the government led by Henry Barwell and as the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Immigration, the Minister of Repatriation, and the Minister of Irrigation in the government led by Richard Layton Butler.

Achievements

• His contribution to public life was recognised with the conferral of the prefix ‘Honourable’ on 7 August 1930 and a Knight Bachelor on 1 January 1944.

Membership

He also served as the Government Whip in the Legislative Council for a period of 20 years and as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works from 12 July 1934 to 31 May 1944.