| description: | Dr. William Cowan, Physician; Hudson'S Bay Company Employee. He Graduated From The University Of Glasgow And Came To Fort Garry In 1849 As Medical Officer With Military Pensioners Commanded By Major W.B. Coldwell. Married Harriet Sinclair Of The Red River Settlement In 1852 And They Had Several Children. In 1856 Was Sent By Hbc To Moose Factory And Was Appointed Chief Trader In 1860. In 1862 He Was Transferred Back To Fort Garry As Second In Command To Governor William Mactavish. At The Beginning Of The Red River Insurrection In 1869 Governor Mactavish Was Ill So Dr. William Cowan Was In Charge Of The Fort. When Riel Took Over Fort Garry, Dr. Cowan Was Imprisoned. In July 1870 Cowan Escaped And With His Wife And Child Left Lower Fort Garry By York Boat To Hudson Bay, Where They Sailed For England. They Returned In 1872. Dr. Cowan Chaired The Meeting Called In 1879 To Form The Historic And Scientific Society Of Manitoba, And Became Its First Vice President. When The Winnipeg General Hospital Was Incorporated In 1882 He Was Appointed An Honourary Consultant. He Died In St. Paul In 1902 |