For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 753
GEORGE C. CHOWN....George C. Chown, an energetic and enterprising farmer of Muscatine county, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, June 25, 1860. His father, William Chown, was born in Devonshire, England, March 26, 1826, and made farming his life occupation. Before leaving his native land he married Sarah Ann Symonds by whom he had one child, Leah, who died in infancy, and his wife passed away February 6, 1855. Later in the same year he came to the United States and subsequently located in Zanesville, Ohio, where he had a brother living. Shortly afterward he married Ann Jane Robinson, and to them were born four children of whom two are now living---John, a resident of Nebraska, and George C., of this review. The mother of these children died while the father was serving in the army during the Civil war. On the 26th of October, 1863, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Harriett Dyche, and three children blessed the union, namely : Mrs. Mary Daniels, Mrs. Eliza Wolford and Charles R. Chown, of Port Allen. The third wife died August 3, 1906, and on the 30th of September, 1908, Mr. Chown married Mrs. Mary Holiday of Columbus Junction, Iowa, who passed away in 1910, while his death occurred on the 15th of January in the same year, when he was nearly eighty-four years of age. He had come to Muscatine county in 1861 and shortly afterward enlisted for three years in the Union army. After his discharge he returned to this state but in 1865 again went to the front as a substitute and remained in the service until hosyilities ceased.George C. Chown at the age of three years became a member of the household of Joseph Crane, a farmer of Muscatine county. Here he was reared, receiving his education in the public schools and as he grew to manhood became thoroughly acquainted with the various details of farm work. At twenty-one years of age he hired out to neighboring farmers and thus continued until his marriage, since which time he has farmed on rented land. He is now in comfortable circumstances, having prospered in his calling.
On the 23d of March, 1892, Mr. Chown was united in marriage to Miss Alice Meyers, a daughter of Henry and Mary Meyers, both of whom were born in Germany. Her parents were identified with the farming interests of Muscatine county. The mother departed this life in 1883 and the father two years later. There were eight children in the family, seven of whom are now living : Mary, who became Mrs. George Chown, of Louisa county, Iowa ; Elizabeth, the wife of L. D. Chown, of Nichols, Iowa ; Alice, the wife of our subject ; Henry, of Muscatine county ; William, of Audubon county, Iowa ; Louis, of North Dakota ; and Jesse, of Muscatine. Mr. and Mrs. Chown are the parents of two children : Albert F., born April 25, 1896 ; and Ethel Marie, August 30, 1901.
Mr. Chown is a stanch supporter of the republican party. He is a good friend of the common schools, believing that they are the bulwark of the nation and has served with general acceptance as member of the school board of the district. Having early learned the great lesson of self-reliance, he has made his own way in the world and by persistent industry he has gained a position of comparative independence. His record is that of an honorable, upright man whose personal character has been a growing influence for good. He clearly deserves a place in a work presenting the biographies of progressive and substantial citizens of Muscatine county.
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