He born in on August 8, 1819, in Jamaica, Vermont, but grew up mainly in Boston, Massachusetts, where the family moved to after his father's death.

[2] Cowdin became involved in the silk trade in the 1840s and, in 1852, he moved to New York City to establish his own business, Elliot C. Cowdin & Company, an importing firm that specialized in "ribbons, silks, flowers and other Paris novelties.

He was also active in politics; as a speaker and lecturer; and in several civic organizations, including the New York Chamber of Commerce, the New England Society of New York, the Bedford Farmers' Club, and the Union League, which he had helped to found.

[3] Cowdin held some appointed posts in government, including that of U.S. Commissioner to the Paris Expedition in 1867.

His interests as an Assemblyman, as indicated by the bills he introduced, included government reform, taxation and finance, and trade and commerce.