History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/John Cownie
JOHN COWNIE was born in Alyth, Perthshire, Scotland, December 8, 1843. The family coming to America located in Scott County, Iowa, when the son was but twelve years of age. His education began in Scotland and after coming to this country he, by hard study, qualified himself for teaching. He became deeply interested in farming and became an active and enterprising member of the Swine Breeders' Association, Iowa Draft and Coach Horse Association, the Improved Stock Breeders' Association, and in 1894 became one of the directors of the State Agricultural Society. In 1896 he was chosen one of the presidential electors on the Republican ticket, and in 1898 was elected President of the State Agricultural Society. When the State Board of Control was established, Mr. Cownie was appointed one of its members by Governor Shaw.