After his college graduation , Cowan studied law with Henry Donnel Foster , was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in 1842 . Though raised as a Jacksonian Democrat , Cowan became active in politics as a Whig , and was a campaign speaker and organizer for Whig presidential candidates beginning with William Henry Harrison in the 1840 election . He became a Republican when the party was founded , and was an organizer and speaker for John C. Frémont in the 1856 election . Cowan was a supporter of Simon Cameron , and as a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention , he supported Cameron for the presidential nomination until Cameron gave his support to Abraham Lincoln on the second ballot . Cowan was one of Pennsylvania 's presidential electors , and cast his ballot for Lincoln for president and Hannibal Hamlin for vice president
1860 Republican National Convention
1860 Republican National Convention
Edgar Cowan