Robert E. McGowan 1853-1932

MCGOWAN, DYKE, HOUK, BARTHOLOMER, GRIFFITH, KESSEL, HARBIDGE, JONES, BARTHOLOMEW, TONY, SHERMAN

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 5/16/2004 at 02:55:34

ROBERT E. McGOWAN

Robert E. McGowan, son of Joseph and Sarah Ann McGowan was born in Lee county, Iowa, June 4, 1853 and departed this life May 19, 1932 at his home near Azen, Mo. where he had spent almost his entire life.

He was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Dyke, in Kansas, in 1874, and to this union were born two sons, Perry Leonard and Otis Leroy. She preceeded him in death in 1880.

He was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah Houk in 1881 and to this union were born two sons, Earl and Roscoe Lynn and four daughters, Stella, Victoria, Lillian and Bernice.

He united with the M. E. church at Prairie View in 1881.

He was a kind and loving husband and father and a good neighbor and friend, always ready to help those in need.

He leaves his aged companion and two sons, Leonard and Otis of Washington and two daughters, Mrs. Stella Bartholomer [sic], at home and Mrs. Bernice Griffith, of Hannibal, Mo., a step-son, Craig Houk of California, two step-daughters, Mrs. Emma Kessel of Arbela, Mo., and Mrs. Lula Harbidge of Memphis, Mo., 33 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

The funeral services were held Saturdoy [sic], May 21, at 2 o'clock at Prairie View, Rev. Hadley, offficiating [sic]. The pallbearers were grandsons, Don McGowan, Eston Jones, Roland Griffith, Fuller Bartholomew, Amos Tony and Walter Sherman.

A quartet consisting of Miss Edna Beatty, Mrs. Price, Ben Casady and Junior Wellborn with Mrs. Augspurger at the piano sang, "Going Down the Valley," and "Jesus Lover of My Soul." Mrs. Augspurger and Junior Wellborn sang "Sweetly Resting" accompanied on the piano by Miss Edna Beatty. Interment was in the cemetery at Prairie View beside his wife who passed away in 1880 and in which lie three of the departed children.

A large crowd was present to pay their last respects to a friend and neighbor.

The flowers were many and beautiful.

(Photocopy of this obit found on page 190 of Obit Book "A" of the Van Buren County Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in Jan 2001. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given.)

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history..

[originally posted Feb. 3, 2001 and reposted 10 May 2001]