James MCGOWAN, Sr.

MCGOWAN, STEELE, YOUNG, BELL, HELMKE, STOAKES, AMOSSON, PETERSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/25/2010 at 12:26:47

The Humboldt Independent, Humboldt, Iowa
February 4, 1947

1 January 1861 -- 18 January 1947

James McGowan Sr., son of William and Mary McGowan was born on the farm of Barmeal, Parish of Glasserton, Wistonshier, Scotland on January 1, 1861. He died Saturday morning, January 18, 1947 at his old home three miles south of Renwick where he had lived for 55 years. He received his early schooling in the rural school of the community in which lie was born. At the age of 15, he, entered the grocery business with A W Fuir in the town of Whirehorn, Scotland. After a few years he went to Glasgow and worked for Thos. Lipton of the Lipton Tea Company. In May of 1882 at the age of 21 years he sailed to America and settled near Traer, Iowa, Tama county.

On March 19, 1890 he was united in marriage to Jessie Steele Young of Traer. To this union twelve children were born, ten of whom survive to mourn his passing: Will, now in Winter Haven, Fla., Mrs. George Bell, Mrs. Jessie Helmke, Robert and Donald of Renwick; James McGowan, Mrs. Randy Amosson and Mrs. Braden Stoakes of Goldfield; Mrs. Guy Peterson of Dows and Arlo McGowan of Woolstock. This happy union was broken eighteen years ago by the death of his true, devoted wife and loving mother.

He was a member of the United Presbyterian church at Goldfield. The past few years have been made comfortable for him by the kindness and thoughtfulness of his son James, wife and family who shared his home with him. His cheerful greetings and friendly way will he greatly missed. He was a kind, loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his ten children and sixteen grandchildren. The same words which were said for his loving wife can also be said of him.

Beautiful Toiler thy work Is done.
Beautiful Soul into Glory gone.
Beautiful Life with its crown now won.
God giveth the rest.

Funeral services were held at two o'clock Monday afternoon in The United Presbyterian church at Goldfield, Iowa with the Rev. Ralph Edie conducting the services. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Beenen Funeral Service. Pallbearers were: Frank Stevenson, John French, George McCutcheon, Howard Stevenson, Rudolph and Eldon Rasmussen. Music was furnished by Betty Keith, Gloria Nelson and Richard McCutcheon. Those that were here from away who attended the funeral Monday were: Mrs. Tom Miller of Reinbeck, Mr. and Mrs. R. N. McGowan of Waterloo, Mr. J. N. McGowan and daughter Margaret of Gladbrook, and Mr. and Mrs. Will Mitchell of Grundy Center.