Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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Lt. Col. James Laing Cowan

Lt. Col. James Laing Cowan

Male 1847 - 1936  (89 years)

Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name James Laing Cowan 
    Prefix Lt. Col. 
    Born 4 Feb 1847  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] 
    Gender Male 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235053272 
    School Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    SS.19 Clearview School 
    • He began his school days at the old log school house at Clearview of which the late David Brydon was at that time principal. He attended the Tassie school.
    WaterlooTownship-SS19-ClearviewSchool-PinebushRoad-facebook2016forGenerations.jpg    		 WaterlooTownship-SS19-ClearviewSchool-PinebushRoad-facebook2016forGenerations.jpg
    Pine Bush was a community of immigrants from Mecklenburg in the 1850s who took up small holdings in "lot 6 of the third" concession of Beasley's Lower Block, south of Hespeler and east of Galt. In its heyday from the late 1840s to the 1870s, Pine Bush supported a store run by John Roos, and there was an inn or tavern on the south side of the Pine Bush Road, at the junction with the Hespeler-Galt Back Road.142 Children of the community could attend the log school old SS 19, a little farther west on the north side of Pine Bush Road in Concession 2. It was known as the Pine Bush School from 1848 until 1874, when the new brick schoolhouse on the same site was renamed Clearview.

    Waterloo Township Through Two Centuries
    Name Laing Cowan 
    Occupation 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Agricultural Laborer 
    Residence 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Presbyterian 
    Residence 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    C. Presbyterian 
    Occupation 1881  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1881  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Presbyterian Canada 
    Occupation 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1891  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Presbyteriam 
    Occupation 1901  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Farmer 
    Occupation 1911  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1911  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Presbyterian 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-92815 
    Died 19 Sep 1936  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 9] 
    Cause: Arteriosclerosis - Cerebral Haemorrhage 
    Buried 22 Sep 1936  Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 8] 
    Person ID I92815  Generations
    Last Modified 12 May 2024 

    Father James S. Cowan, MP,   b. 3 Nov 1803, Henderland, Megetdale, Peebles, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 May 1900, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 96 years) 
    Mother Helen Laing,   b. 26 Feb 1811, Moffat, , Dumfries, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1892, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Married 1834  [7] 
    Family ID F16658  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Susannah Blackwood,   b. 12 Aug 1856, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Mar 1934, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years) 
    Married 6 Nov 1878  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6, 10] 
    Children 
     1. Susan Mabel Cowan,   b. 13 Mar 1880, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1976  (Age 95 years)
     2. Mabel Cowan,   b. 1879, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. James Roy Cowan,   b. 17 Jun 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jan 1969  (Age 87 years)
     4. Thomas Laing Cowan,   b. 8 Oct 1887, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Jan 1911, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 23 years)
    Last Modified 13 May 2024 
    Family ID F24120  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Col. James Laing Cowman was born on the family farm named Clochmohr, the son of James Cowan. he attended Clearview and Tassie schools in Galt. He served in 29th Waterloo Regiment. became a lieutenant in 1882 and later colonel. He was president of Cowan & Co. of Galt Ltd. He was also known as a breeder of prize winning sheep and cattle.

      Cambridge Mosiac, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

      ____________________

      J. L. Cowan dies At Galt In 91st Year

      Sept. 21. - Colonel Laing one of Galt's best-known died Saturday at his residence here. He was in his 91st year and had been ailing for some time. He was born at "Clochmoor." Hespeler Road, four years before Galt became an incorporated village.

      He had lived 74 years on the homestead before moving Galt to retire. His interest in shooting and sporting matters with the old 29th Regiment. In 1882 he was gazetted a sargant, later becoming commanding officer.

      A lieutenant, he formed one guard of honor that welcomed Princess Louise and the Marquess of Lorne to Berlin, now []her. having the honor of raising the flag to Royalty. He was the oldest surviving officer 29th.

      He was a farmer, he was a noted of sheep and Shorthorn He recalled that when 9 years of age, the first train came to Galt in 1855 over the Great []an Railway. He also recalled laying of the cornerstone of present town hall in 1870. He was married in 1878 and is survived by one son, James Roy, and daughter, Mabel, both of Galt.

      Kitchener Daily Record 21 Sep 1936, Mon Page 9

  • Sources 
    1. [S86] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1901, Waterloo (South/Sud) G-4 Page 3.

    2. [S604] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1871, Div. 2, Pg. 6.

    3. [S205] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1881, Div. 1 Page 46.

    4. [S342] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo South - 1911, Div. 6 Pg. 4.

    5. [S122] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Mount View CC#4495 Internet Link .
      In/ memory of/ J. Laing Cowan/ died Sept. 19, 1936/ iti his 91st year/ Susan Blackwood/ his wife/ died Mar. 27, 1934/ in her 81st year/ James Roy Cowan/ died Jan. 16, 1969/ in his 88th year/ his beloved wife/ Jessie Lennox Gray/ July 16, 1888-Dec. 29, 1970/ Thomas Laing Cowan/ died Jan. 24, 1911/ in his 23rd year/ William J. Cowan/ May 13, 1917-June 21, 1981/ his wife/ Vera M. Mullins/ Sept. 15, 1915-Sept. 18, 1981/ Cowan

    6. [S2575] Census - ON, Waterloo Township - 1891, Sect. 3 Page 24.

    7. [S894] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1861, Sect. 10 Page 71.

    8. [S2697] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge, Mount View Cemetery Internet Link.
      [SE] In/ memory of/ J. Laing COWAN/ died Sept. 19, 1936/ In his 91st year/ Susan BLACKWOOD/ his wife/ died Mar. 27, 1934/ in her 81st year/ James Roy COWAN/ died Jan. 16, 1969/ in his 88th year/ his beloved wife/ Jessie Lennox GRAY/ July 16, 1888 - Dec. 29, 1970/ Thomas Laing COWAN/ died Jan. 24, 1911/ in his 23rd year/ William J. COWAN/ May 13, 1917 - June 21, 1981/ his wife/ Vera M. MULLINS/ Sept. 15, 1915 - Sept. 18, 1981/ COWAN/

    9. [S2491] aaa Vit - ON - Death Registration, death certificate 035324 (1936).
      Name:James Lang Cowan Gender:Male Age:91 Birth Date:abt 1845 Birth Place:Waterloo Thp Death Date:19 Sep 1936 Death Place:Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Father:James Cowan Mother:Helen Lang

    10. [S2488] aaa Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, marriage certificate 010973 (1878).
      Name:James Laing Cowan Age:32 Birth Year:abt 1846 Birth Place:South Waterloo Marriage Date:6 Nov 1878 Marriage Place:Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Father:James Cowan Mother:Helen Laing Spouse:Susan Blackwood

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 4 Feb 1847 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsSchool - SS.19 Clearview School - - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Agricultural Laborer - 1861 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1861 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - C. Presbyterian - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 6 Nov 1878 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1881 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian Canada - 1881 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1891 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyteriam - 1891 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1901 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1911 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1911 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: Arteriosclerosis - Cerebral Haemorrhage - 19 Sep 1936 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 22 Sep 1936 - Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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