Donald James Cowan
Encyclopedia
Donald James Cowan was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He represented Port Arthur—Thunder Bay
in the Canadian House of Commons
.
Cowan was the son of James D. Cowan and Elizabeth Taylor. Educated in Galt, at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Law School, he established a law practice in Port Arthur, Ontario
, in 1908. In 1912, Cowan married Edith Ruby Anderson. He served three years 1913-1915 as an alderman and two years as mayor 1916-1917. Subsequently he was city solicitor from January 1919 to November 1934. Cowan was appointed Crown attorney
for Thunder Bay District, Ontario
in November 1925. In 1928, he was named King's Counsel. He was elected to the House of Commons as a Conservative
in September 1926 and again in 1930. During his two terms in Parliament, he was a member of a select committee appointed to study possible amendments and changes to the British North America Act and promoted a Seaway treaty with the United States. In July 1935 he was rewarded by Prime Minister R.B. Bennett with the judgeship of Brant County, Ontario, only the third judge of that county since 1853.
Port Arthur—Thunder Bay
Port Arthur—Thunder Bay was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1925 to 1935. It was located in the province of Ontario...
in the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
.
Cowan was the son of James D. Cowan and Elizabeth Taylor. Educated in Galt, at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Law School, he established a law practice in Port Arthur, Ontario
Port Arthur, Ontario
Port Arthur was a city in Northern Ontario which amalgamated with Fort William and the townships of Neebing and McIntyre to form the city of Thunder Bay in January 1970. Port Arthur was the district seat of Thunder Bay District.- History :...
, in 1908. In 1912, Cowan married Edith Ruby Anderson. He served three years 1913-1915 as an alderman and two years as mayor 1916-1917. Subsequently he was city solicitor from January 1919 to November 1934. Cowan was appointed Crown attorney
Crown attorney
Crown Attorneys or Crown Counsel are the prosecutors in the legal system of Canada.Crown Attorneys represent the Crown and act as prosecutor in proceedings under the Criminal Code of Canada...
for Thunder Bay District, Ontario
Thunder Bay District, Ontario
Thunder Bay District is a district and census division in Northwestern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario. The district seat is Thunder Bay....
in November 1925. In 1928, he was named King's Counsel. He was elected to the House of Commons as a Conservative
Conservative Party of Canada (historical)
The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the...
in September 1926 and again in 1930. During his two terms in Parliament, he was a member of a select committee appointed to study possible amendments and changes to the British North America Act and promoted a Seaway treaty with the United States. In July 1935 he was rewarded by Prime Minister R.B. Bennett with the judgeship of Brant County, Ontario, only the third judge of that county since 1853.