Thomas Cowan served one term as a member of the South Australian House of Assembly for the Electoral district of Yatala.
Background
Cowan who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland (now Northern Ireland), was the eldest son of John Cowan, a ploughman and shepherd, and his wife Margaret, née Lammey. The family initially settled in North Adelaide where Cowan assisted his father with a horse-drawn taxi business operating between North Adelaide and Adelaide.
Career
His father later purchased property at Two Wells (39 km north of Adelaide) where Cowan assisted with the operation of several businesses including a farm, a tavern and a post office. Cowan later started farming in the Two Wells area. Cowan served on the District Council of Portuguese Gawler as a councillor from 1868 to 1872 and as the chairman from 1873 to 1875.
In 1875, Cowan nominated and was elected to the Electoral district of Yatala.
However, the result was ruled invalid when his nomination papers were declared informal. However, he was subsequently elected along with Wentworth Cavenagh in a re-election triggered by the resignation of one of the sitting members, the Honorary
Lavington Glyde. Cowan did not re-stand for election in 1878.
Late During the 1880s, Cowan encountered business difficulties and was on the verge of becoming insolvent. Cowan nominated but later stood down for medical reasons.
The vacancy was subsequently filled by Richard Butler who had unsuccessfully stood for the seat earlier in 1890.