Richard Cowan was born October 9, 1839, in Georgia, and married in April, 1865, in Illinois, Elzada Allen, born November 22, 1840, in Tennessee. They were the parents of Felix G. Cowan, born July 22, 1866, in Illinois; and Sarah Cowan, who married James A. Thompson, and is now deceased.
Mr. Cowan was educated in the Cherokee Nation, and married on June 1, 1886, Lulu Murry, and on March 22, 1909, he married at Indianola, Iowa, Rebecca Blair, daughter of Calvin C., and Cirthia Blair.
Mrs. Cowan had three brothers and one sister as follows: William E., Jane A., Almus C., and Joel O., Blair. Only the latter is now living.
Mr. Cowan was in the mercantile business in Vinita for twenty-seven years. He was elected County Commissioner of Craig County on November 5, 1918, but resigned from this office and was appointed steward of the State Hospital at Vinita. Pleasant, urbane and gentlemanly, Mr. Cowan has a host of friends. He is a member of the Methodist church, Hill Crest Club, Masons, Shriners, Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Fraternal Aid, and Elks fraternities. He, was a member of the City Council of Vinita for twelve years, part of the time of which he acted as mayor.