California Biographies Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919) History By Paul E. Vandor Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919 Notes: Missing+page1185-1186 Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm FLORENCE (GORDON) COWAN.� In matters of reform legislation and in the sphere of education women have always been avowed advocates. The State of California has been foremost in carrying out these principles, and among the women of the State to whom credit is due should be mentioned Mrs. Florence (Gordon) Cowan, a native Californian. born in Davis. Yolo County. She is the daughter of William Y. Gordon, who was born in South Hero. Grand Isle County. Vt., and who came to California in 1852 via Panama, engaged in mining for two years. and then located a farm in Yolo County. He returned to the Fast via Panama, and in 1870 was married to Miss Jane Phelps, a native of Vermont. They came to California and he bought more land, having acquired 640 acres, and engaged in grain-farming. Fie died in 1915 in his eighty-fifth year, his death being caused by his team running away with him. The mother is still living, an honored member of Mrs. Cowan's home. There were five children of whom Mrs. Cowan is the youngest. She was reared in Yolo County. Mrs. Cowan's life has been one-of varied experiences. She was educated in the Oakland schools, graduated from the Oakland High, entered the Uni- versity of California, studied social science and graduating in 1903 with the degree of P. L. She made application to the American Board of Foreign Missions of the Congregational Church, and was sent as teacher to Kobe College in Kobe. Japan, in 1906, and continued there for five years, teaching English history and science. During these five years she traveled over Japan and into Korea, laying up a store of knowledge that she has put to practical account. In 1911 she resigned her work with the Board, and returned to California. After a year's rest she located in Kerman and became one of the teachers in Kerman Union High School, and in 1914 was elected principal, a position she held until June, 1918. The school offers High School. Com- mercial and Agricultural Courses, and has a corps of seven teachers with an attendance of from eighty to ninety-six pupils ; the grounds occupy twenty acres. Mrs. Cowan owns an attractive home-place of twenty acres on Clinton Avenue, which is being improved and set to Thompson seedless grapes. She is greatly interested in the advancement of the community and in education, and was very successful as principal ; she suggested the organization of the Civic Center and Teachers' Club. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and also of the California Teachers Association. Miss Gordon was united in marriage on July 9. 1918. with Alexander Cowan, born in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland, and who has been a resident of California since 1906. He is a building contractor, well known in Fresno County.