Harry Douglas Cowan, justice of the peace and attorney at law, at Grand Rapids, was born in Chatham, province of Ontario, dominion of Canada, January 15, 1865, and is a son of Samuel and Frances M. (Wheatley) Cowan, native of Ireland who still reside in Canada, where the father is a wholesale dealer in hardware and harness. Harry D. Cowan graduated from Chatham high school, then entered Toronto university, graduated with arts course, and then served two and a half years with the Law society. In 1886 he went to Omaha, Nebr., where he practiced law until 1888, and then returned home, where he was admitted to the bar the same year and practiced until 1890, when he came to Grand Rapids and was here associated in practice with Stuart & Knappen until 1893, then with William J. Stuart until 1895, then alone until 1896, at which time he was elected a justice of the peace office he fills with consummate ability, his long practice and ripe experience at the bar peculiarly fitting him for the position. June 9, 1896, Mr. Cowan was united in marriage, in Grand Rapids, with Miss Mary J. Rooney, who has blessed him with one son, John W. Mr. and Mrs. Cowan are attendants of the Wealthy avenue Baptist church, and in politic Mr. Cowan is a republican. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow, an Elk, a Forester (Page 118) and Woodman, and a member of the Home Forum. He is a gentlemen of unswerving integrity, is painstaking and impartial in the performance of his official duties, has been successful in his professional career, owns his own residence property at No. 35 Lake street, and naturally enough enjoys, with his wife, the respect of his neighbors as well as that of the general public.