1850 MI Census Eaton Co Eaton Rapids
William Cowan M 42 New York
Clarrissa Cowan F 44 New York
Cyrus Cowan M 23 New York
Charity Cowan F 21 New York
Fidelia Cowan F 19 New York
Clarrissa Cowan F 14 New York
Elizabeth Cowan F 9 Michigan
George N Cowan M 9 Michigan

1860 MI Census Jackson Co Parma
Cyrus Cowan M 33 New York
Emma Cowan F 24 Michigan
Baby Cowan F 0 Michigan
George Cowan M 18 Michigan

1870 MI Census Jackson Co Parma
Cyrus Cowan M 43 New York
Emly Cowan F 33 New York
Clarissa Cowan F 64 Michigan
Cora Cowan F 10 Michigan
Epha Cowan F 6 Michigan
William Cowan M 4 Michigan
Minnie Cowan F 0 Michigan
Merton Hunt M 22 New York

Death Certificate
Name: Cyrus H. Cowan
Gender: Male
Death Date: 01 Feb 1904
Death Place: Parma, Jackson, Michigan
Age: 76
Birth Date: 1828
Birthplace: New York
Occupation: Farmer
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Wm Cowan
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Claricy Mattison
Mother's Birthplace:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B51856-6
System Origin: Michigan-EASy
GS Film number: 941629
Reference ID: v C p 74

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Michigan.
Chapman Brothers, 1890, Chicago, pp. 480-483

CYRUS H. COWAN. Among the many fine farms of Parma Township, that of our subject would be noted by the passer by as one which bears evidence of being under the management of a skilled farmer and man of progessive ideas. It comprises two hundred and eighty acres on section 10, and has been the home of our subject since 1854, at which time he and his father came to this county and settled upon it. The present owner might well be numbered among the pioneers of this State, as his labors within its bounds began in 1836, while he was still but a lad. He was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., August 11, 1821, and from Irish and Scotch ancestors has derived the strong character which has led to his success in life.
The parents of our subject were William and Clarissa Cowan, natives of the Empire State, who became residents in Genesee County when he of whom we write was about two years old. Some six years later they emigrated to this State, the father taking up one hundred and sixty acres of land in Eaton County, for which he paid the usual price of $1.25 per acre. The land was heavily timbered, and formed a part of Eaton Rapids Township, of which the family were among the early settlers. In common with other pioneer families they endured many privations and much arduous toil. Their first home was of the usual character, a structure of logs, plastered with mud, and heated by a fireplace.
William Cowan, during his residence in Eaton County, served as Supervisor of his township. As before stated he came to this county in 1854, and with his son. our subject, bought a landed estate, upon which he died in June, 1866. His widow survived until February 17, 1878. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion of the Methodist Episcopal belief. He was the father of five children, the subject of this notice being the first born. The oldest daughter, Charity A., is the wife of the Rev. Lewis Griffin, of Albion; Fidelia F. is the wife of William Burnham, of Erie County, Pa.; Jane is the wife of Jacob Haite, of Eaton Rapids, this State; Elizabeth is the wife of Lucius A. Ives, of Ingham County.
Cyrus Cowan, of whom we write, received his fundamental education in the common schools of Michigan, supplementing this by an attendance of one year in the seminary at Albion, Calhoun County, now converted into Albion College. He has devoted his life to the pursuit of agriculture, and during his latter years has demonstrated the usefulness of his early training amid pioneer surroundings.
The marriage of our subject and Miss Emma Anderson took place November 18, 1857. The bride was born in this county, August 2, 1836, her parents being Col. John and Caroline Price Anderson, who were early settlers in Sandstone Township; both were natives of New Jersey. Col. Anderson bought Government land in the northern part of Sandstone Township, settling in the woods, from which he cleared a fine farm on which he lived many years. He then removed to Parma village, where he died December 20, 1877. The title by which he was commonly known was gained in the State Militia of New York, and he served as Captain during the Civil War, being an officer in the Twentieth Michigan Infantry, and in the field two and a half years. He fought at Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, and at other points where the supremacy of the Union was hotly contested. He understood the trade of a carpenter, and followed it during the greater part of his life in connection with farming. He put up the first stone grist mill in Albion. and many other buildings in that town. In politics he was a Republican. He enjoyed a large acquaintance, and was considered a representative citizen of his township. His widow now lives in Saginaw, Mich.
Of a large family born to Colonel and Mrs. Anderson, the following are now living: Maria. the wife of W. W. Dean, of Parma; Caroline, wife of Elliott Aubury, of Belevue, Idaho; Mrs. Cowan; Lavonia, wife of Col. Charles Houghton, of New Jersey; Effie, widow of Harvey Kenaston, living in Syracuse, N. Y.; Martha, wife of Henry Driggs, in Galesburg, Ill.; Flora, wife of John Driggs, of the same place; Eva, wife of Martin Farmer, of Saginaw, this State. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Cowan has been blessed by the birth of four children. Cora, the first born, is the wife of James Hicks, of Ingham County; Effie is the wife of Almon Merrill, of Parma; William is the only son; Minnie is the wife of Melvin Reynolds, of Parma. Mrs. Cowan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at North Parma. Mr. Cowan is a Prohibitionist.