Good ‘Ol Doc Cowan

When you’ve written local history articles for almost 50 years and you’ve lost your computer data twice it’s a bit hard to remember who you’ve presented and who not. I know I’ve written about this doctor, but have found quite a bit of additional information so here he is again – one of my all-time fav local physicians.

One thing I discovered about Edward Howard Cowan is the multiple (can’t say multitude but shucks, wish I could) photos of the man. The first is when he was quite young, another when a young doctor, adding a lengthy black beard; and then several when he was at one or another GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) meetings here and there (he missed very few no matter where they were). Thanks to CDPL for the pics. As his hair turned a beautiful silvery-gray, he had quite a hat collection (loved the white ones) but he was often found with the black one donning the GAR emblem, always dressed to the hilt in his unusual ties and tailored suits, loving the camaraderie of his GAR fellow soldiers! Certainly, he was involved in much here, the state and nation and he didn’t mind his picture taken one iota!

Edward Howard Cowan was born in Clinton County (Frankfort) four days before Christmas in 1846, the eldest son of John Maxwell and Harriet (Janney) Cowan. Both the men graduated from Wabash College. John was an interesting fellow himself, an only child and it was thought the first-born (or second) white male in Indianapolis. John Maxwell, a particularly refined, handsome man (who heard the Lincoln-Douglas debates) was a circuit court judge, the son of John William Cowan (and Anna Maxwell), who was one of the earliest people in both Marion and Montgomery counties and served as a mounted ranger in our area pre-state fighting against the Prophet at the Battle of Tippecanoe. Anna’s father, Bazeal Maxwell fought in the Revolution as was John William’s father, John (born in Ireland died in Virginia) also a Revolutionary soldier, so it is not a surprise that E.H. put his education at Wabash aside when President Lincoln called for troops.

E.H. joined several Wabash boys as well as others in the county and state, signing up for the Montgomery County based 135th, Company H. This was for the 100-day service, organized the 23rd of May 1864 and released that September 29th. No men were lost in battle but 28 to disease. Co C, F, and I all had MoCo fellows in their units as well. Co H spent most of the time guarding the railroad to keep supplies flowing to Union troops!

Duty done, E.H. returned to Wabash where he graduated with the class of ’67. Immediately he studied medicine with Moses Baker (Stockwell), one of the pioneer physicians in Tippecanoe County who performed the first successful c-section in the state on his own wife having lost two others to childbirth (wasn’t having it again). In 1873, E.H. graduated from Miami Medical School in Cincinnati and the same year began his practice in Montgomery County where he served as a doctor for more than five decades. Pretty amazing. In 1875 he graduated from the Indiana Medical School.

Our good doc married Lucy Ann Ayars Nov 13, 1877, in Louisville by J.L. Burrows, his father standing up with him. Lucy was a great niece of the beloved Major Ambrose Whitlock. Born 27 October 1855, in Louisville, Kentucky she passed away 18 years prior to EH (she being 12 years younger than he) at Methodist Hospital on 10 Nov 1924 after a long illness with heart trouble. She was the youngest with brothers, Henry and Edward and sister Bettie. She attended Western Female Seminary. Although all indications suggest they were parents of two children (John who died at age 11 after a lengthy illness beginning with la grip that he could never recover from, his heart then affected. He passed in late September of 1891, her entry in 1900 saying there were 3 children and one living). If there was another child, it may have been an Eva who rests in Oak Hill Cemetery with just “Eva” on the stone. Then there

was Elizabeth who Doc referred to as his “Beloved Bessie.” She taught school and lived with her parents until her mother passed then moved to Indianapolis, working for an insurance company. There at age 44 (he 48) she married Lewis Repp Ferguson who lived in Dallas, Texas where they moved and Doc would visit each winter, returning to their old home at 408 S. Grant each summer where he enjoyed visiting friends and sitting in his yard. She passed away at age 68 (a few years after Lewis) in a severe auto accident. Lucy and Bessie earlier had kept rooms for college students. Doc had a great wit, a broad knowledge of his field, was loved by everyone and owned a sincere kindness toward all!

Also each summer, EH would go to the state and national GAR Reunions, his favorite the 1938 Gettysburg Blue and Gray. Flags, speeches, enthusiasm always entertained our good doctor. For several years he served as the National Surgeon General and had local and state offices, as well. Like his father, he just seemed to make history, he being the oldest Wabash grad and oldest MoCo Civil War soldier at the time of his death. Wait, and he served as first Crawfordsville Health Officer and was on the School Board when the high school (on Jefferson) most of us remember was built. He had requested the American Legion take charge of his funeral when his body was returned from Texas, and that it take place in the Wabash College Chapel. All and more was carried out and I just know he was happy!

– Karen Zach is the editor of Montgomery Memories, our monthly magazine all about Montgomery County. Her column, Around the County, appears each Thursday in The Paper of Montgomery County. You can reach her at [email protected].