Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/438

 4' ADELAIDE AND VICINITY The late Mr. James Cowan MANY South Australians will remember the gloom cast over the Province by the news of the shocking death of Mr. James Cowan, M.P., by accident, near Dry Creek, in July. 1890. He had for years been a prominent colonist, and a few months before his death had been elected to a seat in the House of Assembly, where he showed such promise that ho])es were entertained of a bright future for him. His disposition was so kindly that the sudden ending seemed the more pathetic. James Cowan was born in the north of Irehuid in 1848, and four years later came, with his parents, to South Australia. He was edu- cated at the North Adelaide Cirammar School, upon leaving which he entered his father's business house in North Ade- laide, where that gentleman owned coaching stables. In addition, the latter was interested in grazing pursuits. A brother (the late Mr. Thomas Cowan, M.P. for Yatala) was also asso- ciated with the business. After some time the father closed his city establishment, and removed to Two Wells, where he possessed a farm and an hotel. Before he was out of his teens, Mr. James Cowan entered into business on his own account at Two Wells, as a mail contractor and small farmer. I'Vom the outset his concerns flourished, and, being enterprising, he bought a flourmill from Mr. Henry Warren (his wife's father), in the same neighborhood. This proved a very successful investment, and within a few years Mr. Cowan was the proprietor of mills at Quorn, Mallala, Allendale, and Ciladstone, and also wharves at Port Pirie and Port Gawler, with numerous agencies. The business formed by Mr. Cowan and others was then merged into the Adelaide Milling Company. In the meantime Mr. Cowan had become prominently identified with several land syndicates, by which he accumulated considerable capital. He was interested in the Willowie Pastoral Company, and helped in opening up mines at Woodside, particularly the Bird-in-Hand Mine, Adcock, Photo