COWAN - Thomas V. COWAN, came to Harrison County in November, 1877, and settled on his present farm, which is situated on section 25, of Jefferson Township, having purchased the place the autumn previous. Of his earlier life it should be stated that he was born in Washington Co., Pa., May 28, 1821, the son of George and Jane (CONN) COWAN, and is the third child of a family composed of thirteen children, of whom ten are living. The father died in Hancock County, W. Va., in September, 1860, having lived there since 1841 with his family.

When our subject was fourteen years of age his father moved to Ohio and engaged at work in a woolen factory, as did our subject, who labored in that capacity at Steubenville for eight years. In 1841 the father went to Virginia, but our subject remained at Steubenville until 1843, at which time he went to Pennsylvania. In 1856 he came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and engaged at wagon-making at Brownsville, and there remained for about fifteen years, when he engaged at farming until coming to Harrison County.

Perhaps the most important event in this man's life occurred June 17, 1845, at which time he married Hannah Jane MATCHET, a native of Washington County, Pa., born March 1, 1823. She is the eighth child in a family of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. COWAN are the parents of ten children: Joseph M., Mary A., George M., John J., Edward G., Jennie M., Charles R., Sadie E., Frank L. and Willie.

Our subject embarked in life for himself at the age of twenty, having spent some time in a factory and at the harness-maker's trade, which he did not complete, however, but after he was of age he learned the wagon-maker's trade in Northern Pennsylvania. All of the worldly goods possessed by our subject have been won by hard work, perseverance and economy, and as a reward for his labors, he is now comfortably situated in the midst of pleasant home surroundings. Politically he votes independent.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp.366