Basic Biographical Details Name: | Joseph Cowan | Designation: | | Born: | | Died: | 22 March 1900(?) | Bio Notes: | Joseph Cowan began practice c.1874 at 147 West Graham Street, Glasgow, his house being at 58 Hill Street, Garnethill, close to St Aloysius College with which he was closely associated. He was architect to the archdiocese of Glasgow but received only such commissions as Peter Paul Pugin was either too busy or unwilling to undertake. By the 1890s his sons, variously given as James Cowan and J L Cowan (not to be confused with James Lymburn Cowan, who had an essentially Protestant practice in Glasgow), were in the business. Joseph Cowan died on 22 March 1900 at Shandon in Dunbartonshire. This is likely to be the father but it is possible that it was the son whose initials were J L but whose name we do not know. Around 1902 the Cowans took into partnership Walter Robert Watson, born c.1873, the son of Walter Robert Watson (sic), commission agent and his wife Sarah Jane Clark, the surviving Cowan son being J L Cowan who lived at 14 Myrtle Park, Crosshill. By that date the practice had moved to 95 Bath Street.
Despite his association with Catholic institutions, he was not himself a Catholic, being born into a Church of Scotland family and marrying as a Methodist.
Watson practised until his death on 1 October 1932 at Boquhan, Kippen, at the age of 59, his usual residence being 22 Dowanside Road, Glasgow. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 58, Hill Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | | | | | 147, West Graham Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | c. 1874 | | | | Laurieknowe Cottage, Bearsden, Glasgow, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1888 | | Was he retired by then? Working from home? The only address given in 1888 PO Directory |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Cowan & Sons | Before 1890 | Before 1902 | Partner | |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Post Office Directories | | | | | | | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Glasgow Sheriff Court Inventories SC36/48/174 |
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