McGowan, James -- 1818 - 1912

MCGOWAN, WELCH, ROBINSON, REID

Posted By: Barry M. Dahl (email)
Date: 12/3/2010 at 15:37:11

Here is the obituary for James McGgowan: James M'Gowan dies near century mark. Aug. 15th 1912. Passed away this morning at home in Johnstown Center at age of ninety-five years, family at bedside. At the age of ninety-five years, James McGowan, one of the oldest men in Rock county and the state, died at his home in Johnstown Center, at 3:30 o'clock this morning, his wife, aged ninety-three, and all his surviving children and grand-children being at his bedside. He had been in poor health for several years.
Mr. McGowan was born in Ballyknock, County Antrim, Ireland, June 1, 1818, the son of Henry McGowan and Elizabeth (Welch), McGowan and emigrated to this country in 1850, first settling in New York city. He spent a year there and a year in Pittsburgh,
coming to Rock county July 27, 1852. He settled at Johnstown Center and has resided there ever since. Mr. McGowan was a republican in politics and cast his first vote for John G. Fremont. For many years he was an elder of the Rock Prairie United Presbyterian church. On January 21, 1893 Mr. and Mrs. McGowan celebrated their golden wedding, and ten years later their sixtieth wedding anniversary.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan, four of which died in childhood, and one, Eliza C., at the age of 21. Those surviving are, Henry of Clear Lake, Iowa, Mary and Anna, living at home, the Rev. J.Wallace McGowan, of Langford, South Dakota, and two grand-children, James and Mollie McGowan of Clear Lake, Iowa. The funeral services will be held at the home in Johnstown Center, at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, the Rev. S. G. Huey of St. Louis, former pastor of the Rock Prairie Presbyterian church, officiating.

From the Janesville (Wis) Gazette, Aug. 15, 1912, and from the Mabel Record of August, 30, 1912.

Note: James McGowan's wife, Diana Robinson, was a sister to Mrs. David (Margaret) Welch, Mrs. David (Fanny) Reid, and William Robinson, all of the Hesper area, whom are buried next to one another in the Hesper Public Cemetery.