Dr. Wilson V. Cowan
Dr. Wilson V. Cowan, one of the old class of medical practitioners in this county, was born near Urbana, Ohio, January 11, 1816. After receiving such education as the public schools afforded, he attended Miami University, and in 1836 began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Hughes, of Oxford, Ohio. After nearly four years’ study at Oxford, he attended one course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and in 1841 went to Careysville, Champaign County, and began the practice of medicine. Later found him located at Hardin, but in 1843 he returned to Cincinnati, and the next year graduated from the Ohio Medical College of that city. He then returned to Hardin and resumed the practice of his profession, in which he continued until 1856, when he was elected to the Lower House of the General Assembly. In 1861 he joined the Fremont Body-Guards as assistant surgeon, and served until the disorganization of that body. He then enlisted in the 34th Ohio Zouaves as acting assistant surgeon, but about eighteen months later was promoted to the position of surgeon of the 1st Ohio Cavalry. A little later he became brigade surgeon, in which capacity he remained until physical disability necessitated his discharge from the service. Upon his return home he resumed his practice as far as his health would permit, to which he devoted the remainder of his life. He was married April 10, 1845, to Miss Mary J. Betts, who was born in Cincinnati November 1, 1829. After an active career of many years, he died March 23, 1874, leaving a wife and six children and a whole community to mourn his loss. His surviving children are named John B., Charles S., Harriet A., Marion F., Carrie M., and Lou F., while Carrie M. and Harriet A. are deceased.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883