Gow was born in 1862 in Forfarshire, Scotland.[1] He arrived in New Zealand as a boy[2] and received his education at Otago Boys' High School.[1] He married Agnes Alison Murray in 1886.[1]
He was from Ōpōtiki where he owned a mill.[2] In the 1908 general election he was a candidate for the Bay of Plenty electorate, but he was beaten by William MacDonald in the second ballot.[3] He was a member of the Legislative Council from 7 May 1918 to 6 May 1925; then 7 May 1925 to 6 May 1932, when his term ended. He was appointed by the Reform Government.[4]
He died on 6 August 1942 at his residence in Ōpōtiki,[5] and was survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters.[1]