Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Cowan, William , Farmer, “Haydowns,” Enfield. Mr. Cowan was born in 1833, in the parish of Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland, not far from the cottage of Robert Burns. He was brought up on a farm, and subsequently had experience for three years and a half in a writer's (lawyer's) office. In 1855 he arrived in Victoria, where he had a short experience on the diggings, and afterwards acquired an interest in a carrying business, in which he remained till 1862. He was then attracted to Otago and commenced carrying between Dunedin and the Dunstan. Afterwards he and a mate bought land in Shag Valley, where he farmed for a good many years till his partner married. Mr. Cowan then sold his interests, and settled at Waikouniti, where he leased land from Mr. John Jones—the well known pioneer colonist—und lived there for about twenty-one years. He was then for a short time in Palmerston, but removed in 1895, to Enfield, where he had leased a property of 360 acres. known as “Haydowns,” which he bought outright early in the year 1904. Mr. Cowan is well known throughout the colonies as a successful breeder of Ayrshire cattle, from an imported stud and the best colonial stock. For many years he has taken numerous prizes at Otago shows with these fine cattle, and has also been successful an an exhibitor of horses and sheep. Mrs Cowan was also a keen exhibitor of dairy produce and poultry at local shows. Mr. Cowan was page 480 for three years clerk and collector for the Blue Mountain Road Board in Shag Valley; he was also secretary to the Waikouaiti and Shag Valley—afterwards the Waihemo County —Agricultural and Pastoral Association and to the Palmerston Jockey Club. He likewise took a lead as secretary of local ploughing matches and athletic competitions. As Mr. Cowan is an accomplished violinist, his servicea were always in request at any marriage, ball, or party that took place in the Shag Valley district. Mr. Cowan was married, in 1877, to a, daughter of the late Mr. Charles McHardy, of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Mrs Cowan died on the 14th of July, 1901, leaving two sons and one daughter.