QUEENS COUNTY, IRELAND

[Later COUNTY LEIX, LEINSTER, IRELAND]

 

Christopher Gowan of Dublin was listed as the chief officer aboard the vessel “Portugalette” in 1881.  He was age 27 and married.  He served in a crew of 14 under the command of Albert George, “master, 39, married, of St. Martins, Jersey.”

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Colclough Gowan, 29, of Baughlone, Queens County, Ireland and London, son of Colclough Gowan and Ann Gowan, was married January 25, 1858 to Charlotte Gowan, 19, of Grumara, Queen’s County.  She was the daughter of William Gowan and Ann Gowan.  Witnesses to the ceremony included Thomas Gowan, Mary Gowan, Ann Gowan and Esther Gowan, all of Newton Robinson  The marriage was recorded in 1858 in the marriage record of the County of Simcoe, 1858-1866 by S. S. Strong, D. D, rector of Tecumseth, Ontario.  Apparently the family had recently emigrated to Ontario.

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Francis William Gowan was born in Ireland in 1776, probably in Queens County, according to the research of Jewel Ann Lorenz Dunn, a descendant who lived in Olympia, Washington in 1990.  Queens County was organized as an Irish shire in 1556, but was later renamed County Leix in the Province of Leinster.

 

Austin William Gowan, a descendant of Wilmington, New York who has researched the family since 1963, suggests that "he was a son of Samuel and Jane Gowan."

 

"Francis William Gowing" was married April 28, 1806 to Anne Wilkinson at St. Peter's Church, Marybere, Queens County, according to the church register.  "Ann Wilkinson, daughter of William and Mary Wilkinson, was baptized 6 December 1789," according to "The Register of St. Patrick, Dublin, Ireland," edited by J. H. Bernard, 1907, Dublin.  It is believed she had a brother, George Wilkinson who influenced many of the family to emigrate to America.

 

Francis William Gowan became a weaver in Clonsaughy, Queens County and the father of 12.  He lived in a thatched-roof house containing 11 weaver's looms, apparently utilizing his large family to develop a cottage industry.

 

Children born to Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan include:

 

          Margaret Gowan                                       born about 1807

          Mary Gowan                                              born about 1809

          Joshua Gowan                                           born about 1812

          William Gowan                                         born about 1814

          Catherine Gowan                                      born about 1815

          Joseph Henry Gowan                               born about 1818

          Ann Gowan                                               born about 1820

          Charles Gowan                                         born April 10, 1822

          Richard "Jerry" Gowan                            born about 1825

          Hannah Gowan                                         born about 1828

          Eliza Gowan                                             born May 6, 1830

          Elijah Gowan                                            born September 4, 1833

 

Margaret Gowan, daughter of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born about 1807 in Queens County.  She was married February 11, 1839 to Henry Westman, according to St. Peters Church registry.  They joined the family in emigrating to New York City about 1842.  She died there about 1880.

 

Mary Gowan, daughter of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born about 1809 in Queens County.  She was married there in St. Peters Church October 24, 1836 to James Worral.

 

Joshua Gowan, eldest son of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born about 1812 in Clonsaughy. He was married March 29, 1837 to Anna Braithwaite who was born in Ireland February 22, 1808.  Her parents were from England, but were residing in Queens County.  She had cousins by the name of Manning.  Joshua Gowan emigrated to New York about 1842, his wife pregnant with their third child.  In 1843, they were living in Syracuse, New York where an uncle, George Wilkinson had located and where their third child was named in his honor.  He was influenced to Quebec by a relatives, believed to be the Manning cousins who emigrated from Ireland about the same time.  They were in Huntingdon County in 1845 and returned to Syracuse in 1847.

 

They settled at Franklin Centre in Huntingdon County where he was recorded as a property owner in 1853.  In 1855 he re­moved to Rockburn, Quebec where he purchased a farm.  The farm, in 1937, consisted of some 400 acres, according to Austin William Gowan.

 

Joshua Gowan had been taught weaving by his father, and it became his profession.  He died at Rockburn while weaving May 11, 1899.  He had been advised by his doctor to "take a little whiskey for his circulation," but Joshua Gowan declined saying that he "didn't want to enter heaven with liquor on my breath." Anna Braithwaite Gowan died there February 22, 1908.  She was devoutly religious, having missed Sunday services only twice in her entire life.  She had a relative named Jane Braithwaite who was married to a Catholic in Ireland, much to her chagrin.

 

Children born to them include:

 

Anna Maria Gowan born May 18, 1839

Francis William Gowan born December 30, 1840

George Wilkinson Gowan born May 19, 1843

Sarah Jane Gowan born March 18, 1845

James Joshua Gowan born April 12, 1847

John Manning Gowan born May 24, 1849

Robert Braithwaite Gowan born June 21, 1851

Joseph Henry Gowan born September 8, 1853

Anna Maria Gowan born April 26, 1856

Elizabeth Ann Gowan born May 12, 1858

 

Anna Maria Gowan, daughter of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan, was born May 18, 1839 at Clonsaughy.  It is believed that she died before 1856 because another daughter was given the same name.

 

Anna Maria Gowan, daughter of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan, was born May 18, 1839 at Clonsaughy.  It is believed that she died before 1856 because another daughter was given the same name.

 

Francis William Gowan, son of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan, was born December 30, 1840 at Clon­saughy.  He was married about 1866, wife's name unknown.  He was remarried to Sally Sloan.  He died May 26, 1908 in St. Louis, Michigan in Gratiot County and was buried there in Oak Grove Cemetery.  Children born to Francis William Gowan and Sally Sloan Gowan are unknown.

 

George Wilkinson Gowan, son of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan,  was born in Syracuse, New York May 19, 1843.  He was married about 1867 to Florence Lucretia Davis who was born January 25, 1849.  Following a divorce, he was remarried in 1883 to Elizabeth Holtzhammer who was born May 5, 1867 in Rock Island, Illinois.  In 1886 they lived in Shell Lake, Wisconsin.  He died April 18, 1927 in Philo, California, and she died October 2, 1960 in Santa Rosa, California.

 

Children born to George Wilkinson Gowan and Florence Lucretia Davis Gowan are unknown.  Children born to him and Elizabeth Holtzhammer Gowan include:

 

Judson Holmes Gowan February 23, 1886

 

Judson Holmes Gowan, son of George Wilkinson Gowan and Elizabeth Holtzhammer Gowan, was born February 23, 1886 in Shell Lake.  He was married March 16, 1914 in Cali­fornia to Grace Melissa McKee who was born September 19, 1895 in White­horn, California.  He died September 19, 1962.

 

Children born to Judson Holmes Gowan and Grace Melissa McKee Gowan include:

 

Jewell Grace Gowan born August 15, 1926

 

Jewell Grace Gowan, daughter of Judson Holmes Gowan and Grace Melissa McKee Gowan, was born August 15, 1926 in Potter Valley, California.  She was married July 2, 1949 to John Wilbur Lorenz in Mendocino, California.  In 1957 they lived in Salem, Oregon.

 

Children born to them in­clude:

 

Jewell Ann Lorenz born May 9, 1957

 

Jewell Ann Lorenz, daughter of John Wilbur Lorenz and Jewel Grace Gowan Lorenz, was born May 9, 1957 in Salem.  She was married there October 26, 1985 to Ricky Allen Dunn.  In 1990 they lived in Olympia, Washington. 

 

Sarah Jane Gowan, daughter of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan, was born March 18, 1845 in Huntingdon County, Quebec.  She did not marry.  She died there January 22, 1906 and was buried in Ronnie Methodist Church Cemetery.

 

James Joshua Gowan, son of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan, was born April 12, 1847 in Syracuse.  He was married about 1868 to Lucinda Arvilla "Lucy" Tyler.  She was enumerated in the New York state census of 1855 at El­bridge, New York in her father's household:

 

"Tyler, Edward B.                   29, born Onondaga County, resident

                                                       for 29 years, constable

            Susan M.                     25, born Onondaga County, resident

                                                       for 25 years

            Lucinda A.                    4, born Onondaga County, resident

                                                      for 4 years"

Tyler,  E. M.                           14, born Onondaga County, resident

                                                      for 14 years, boatman."

 

In 1870 and in 1872 James Joshua Gowan lived in Dakota Territory where he was a farmer. 

 

He was enumerated there in the census of 1870 as the head of Household 74-75 in Subdivision 5 of Yanktown County:

 

"Gowan,  James                   22, born in NY, farmer, $200 personal

                                                    property

                Lucy                     17, born in PA"

 

He reappeared in the 1880 census of Waukichon, Wisconsin in Shawano County as the head of Household 76-79:

 

"Gowin, James                  32, born in NY, father born in NY,

                                                 mother born in NY, lumberman

               Lucy                   28, born in NY, father born in NY,

                                                mother born in NY, housekeeper

              Walter                 11, born in WI, father born in NY,

                                                mother born in NY, at school

              Ezriah                   9, born in WI, father born in NY,

                                                mother born in NY, at school

              Lester                   5, born in WI, father born in NY,

                                               mother born in NY"

 

In 1873, they lived in Shawano County, Wisconsin where he was employed as a lumberjack.  She died about 1877, and he returned to Broome County, New York.  He operated a dairy farm there.  He was  remarried to Florence Lucretia Davis Gowan, his brother's divorcee.  She died in 1917 and he died January 12, 1924 in Upper Lisle, New York in Broome County.  They were buried in the Baptist Church Cemetery there. 

 

No children were born to James Joshua Gowan and Florence Lucretia Davis Gowan Gowan.  Children born to him and Lucy Arvilla Tyler Gowan include:

 

Walter Edwin Gowan born in 1870

Ezra Lewis Gowan born April 3, 1872

Lester Darwin Gowan born October 9, 1873

 

Walter Edwin Gowan, son of James Joshua Gowan and Lucy Arvilla Tyler Gowan, was born in 1870 in Yanktown County, Dakota Territory.  He was married about 1893 to Anna M. Kuhn.  He died Marsh 17, 1916 and was buried in Upper Lisle Baptist Church Cemetery in Broome County, New York.  Children born to Walter Edwin Gowan and Anna M. Kuhn Gowan are unknown.

 

Ezra Lewis Gowan, son of James Joshua Gowan and Lucy Arvilla Tyler Gowan, was born April 3, 1872 in Yanktown County.  He was a beau of Stella Belle Brown who later mar­ried his brother.  He was married June 12, 1899 in Franklin County, New York to Gertrude Diana Gowan, his first cousin.  She died May 14, 1918.  He died October 24, 1957 and was buried in Upper Lisle Baptist Church Cemetery. 

 

Children born to Ezra Lewis Gowan and Gertrude Diana Gowan Gowan include:

 

Edna Arvilla Gowan born May 20, 1900

Austin McKinley Gowan born April 23, 1901

 

Edna Arvilla Gowan, daughter of Ezra Lewis Gowan and Gertrude Diana Gowan Gowan, was born May 20, 1900 in Rockburn, Quebec.  She was married June 16, 1921 to William Howard, according to Austin William Gowan.  She was later remarried to William Ebel.  She died June 9, 1972 at Oneida, New York.  She was buried in Rathbunville Cemetery near Rome, New York.

 

Austin McKinley Gowan, son of Ezra Lewis Gowan and Gertrude Diana Gowan Gowan, was born April 23, 1901 at Rockburn.  He was married August 6, 1925 at Plattsburgh, New York to Betty Virginia Pelkey.  She was born March 14, 1910 at Malone, New York in Franklin County to Charles Peter Pelkey and Mary Paquin Pelkey.  He died January 10, 1963 at Saranac Lake, New York and was buried in Brook­side Cemetery, Bloomingdale, New York.

 

Children born to Austin McKinley Gowan and Betty Virginia Pelkey include:

 

Austin William Gowan born October 25, 1926

Gertrude Natalie Gowan born September 29, 1928

Norma Evelyn Gowan born October 19, 1929

Joyce Elizabeth Gowan born July 25, 1931

Joan Arlene Gowan born December 14, 1933

Richard Tyler Gowan born April 5, 1936

Ginger Lee Gowan born June 10, 1937

 

Austin William Gowan, son of Austin McKinley Gowan and Betty Virginia Pelkey Gowan, was born October 25, 1926 at Saranac Lake.  He was married September 7, 1949 at Balti­more, Maryland to Myrtle Marion Haselton who was born June 7, 1928 at Plattsburgh, New York to Walter John Haselton and Hazel Mary Thew Haselton.

 

Austin William Gowan served 22 years in the U. S. Army as a counter-intelligence agent.  He became proficient in the Japanese language and spent 10 years in the Far East as an investigator.  After retirement in November 1967, he worked as an office manager for a construction firm. 

 

He began doing Gowan family research in 1963 and has amassed a large volume of data on the family both in the United States and Ireland.  It is through his courtesy that much of the information on the Queens County branch of the family appears in this manuscript.

 

In 1991, Austin William Gowan, a member of Gowen Re­search Foundation, lives in Wilmington, very near his birth­place in upstate New York.

 

Five children were born to Austin William Gowan and Myrtle Marion Haselton Gowan:

 

Roger William Gowan born August 28, 1950

Walter Austin Gowan born August 23, 1952

Bruce Lee Gowan born June 26, 1954

Linda Sue Gowan born April 10, 1956

Scott Timothy Gowan born July 10, 1958

 

Roger William Gowan, son of Austin William Gowan and Myrtle Marion Haselton Gowan, was born August 28, 1950 at Plattsburgh, New York.  He was married October 13, 1973 to Justine Johnson Estigo at Richfield Springs, New York.  In 1978 he was employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Arizona.  Children born to Roger William Gowan and Jus­tine Johnson Estigo Gowan are unknown.

 

Walter Austin Gowan, son of Austin William Gowan and Myrtle Marion Haselton Gowan, was born August 23, 1952 on Okinawa where his father was stationed.  Following in his father's footsteps, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and was sta­tioned in the Orient.  He was married in Taipeh, Taiwan Au­gust 6, 1975 to Susan Ling Hwei Chen.  Children born to Walter Austin Gowan and Susan Ling Hwei Chen Gowan are unknown.

 

Bruce Lee Gowan, son of Austin William Gowan and Myrtle Marion Haselton Gowan, was born June 26, 1954 in Albu­querque, New Mexico.

 

Linda Sue Gowan, daughter of Austin William Gowan and Myrtle Marion Haselton Gowan, was born at Ft. Ord, Cali­fornia near Monterey.  She was married July 21, 1977 at Og­den, Utah to David Ray Carver who was born September 20, 1955 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Kay Baird Carver and NaDene Ray Carver.  In 1978 the couple lived at Provo, Utah.

 

Children born to them include:

 

Daniel David Carver born September 1, 1978

 

Scott Timothy Gowan, son of Austin William Gowan and Myrtle Marion Haselson Gowan, was born July 10, 1958 in Albuquerque.  In 1978, he continued with his parents at Saranac Lake.

 

Gertrude Natalie Gowan, daughter of Austin McKinley Gowan and Betty Virginia Pelkey Gowan, was born Septem­ber 29, 1928 at Saranac Lake.  She was married on her birth­day in 1952 to Richard Hikmet Eler.

 

Norma Evelyn Gowan, daughter of Austin McKinley Gowan and Betty Virginia Pelkey Gowan, was born October 19, 1929 at Saranac Lake.

 

Joyce Elizabeth Gowan, daughter of Austin McKinley Gowan and Betty Virginia Pelkey Gowan, was born July 25, 1931 in Saranac Lake.  She was married there June 20, 1951 to Donald William Mattimore.

 

Joan Arlene Gowan, daughter of Austin McKinley Gowan and Betty Virginia Pelkey Gowan, was born December 14, 1933 in Saranac Lake.  She was married there December 15, 1951 to Francis Thomas Ryan

 

Richard Tyler Gowan, son of Austin McKinley Gowan and Betty Virginia Pelkey Gowan, was born April 5, 1936 in Saranac Lake.  He was married October 14, 1961 to Jane Anne Barber at Westport, New York.  Children born to Richard Tyler Gowan and Jane Anne Barber Gowan are un­known.

 

Ginger Lee Gowan, daughter of Austin McKinley Gowan and Betty Virginia Pelkey Gowan, was born June 10, 1937 in Saranac Lake.  She was married there January 4, 1957 to Edward John Lawless.

 

Lester Darwin Gowan, son of James Joshua Gowan and Lucy Arvilla Tyler Gowan, was born Waukichon, Wisconsin in Shawano County October 9, 1873.  He was married in 1903 in San Francisco to Stella Belle Brown Gowan who was born in January 1872 in Mendicino County, California.  She had been previously married to Ernest Albert Gowan, unidenti­fied.  Lester Darwin Gowan died in San Francisco in 1943 and was buried in Cypress Lawn Cemetery.  Children born to Lester Darwin Gowan and Stella Belle Brown Gowan Gowan are unknown.  She was the authoress of "Wildwood, a Story of Pioneer Life" published by Vantage Press in 1959. 

 

John Manning Gowan, son of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan, was born in Huntingdon County May 24, 1849.  He was married about 1874 to Sarah McDougald.  He died in Bruce County, Ontario November 27, 1939 at the age of 90.  Children born to John Manning Gowan and Sarah McDougald Gowan are unknown.

 

Robert Braithwaite Gowan, son of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan, was born June 21, 1851 in Huntingdon County.  He was married about 1876 to Ann Cahoon.  Later he was remarried to Margaret C. Kennedy.  He died in 1927.  Children born to Robert Braithwaite Gowan, Ann Cahoon Gowan and Margaret C. Kennedy Gowan are unknown.

 

Joseph Henry Gowan, son of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan, was born September 8, 1853 at Franklin Centre, Quebec.  He was married there December 25, 1879 to Sarah Florence Howard in Huntingdon County.  She was born June 30, 1859.

 

She died April 19, 1933 and he died May 14, 1937 at Rock­burn and was buried in Ronnie Methodist Church Cemetery. 

 

Children born to Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard include:

 

Gertrude Diana Gowan born October 20, 1880

Elsie Ruth Gowan born September 22, 1882

Elizabeth Maud Gowan born May 14, 1884

Florence Lillian Gowan born December 4, 1885

Grace Annie Gowan born July 26, 1887

Gordon Howard Gowan born December 24, 1888

Anna Braithwaite Gowan born March 9, 1891

Sarah Evelyn Gowan born November 5, 1893

Josephine Jessie Gowan born November 1, 1895

Goldwin Braithwaite Gowan born December 7, 1897

Nelson Joshua Gowan born March 11, 1899

Stanley Joseph Gowan born February 19, 1904

 

Gertrude Diana Gowan, daughter of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born October 20, 1880.  She was married in Franklin County, New York June 12, 1899.  She died May 14, 1918.  He died in Upper Lisle, New York October 24, 1957.

 

Elsie Ruth Gowan, daughter of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born September 22, 1882 in Huntingdon County, Quebec.  She was married in 1908 to William J. Litzenmayer.  She died there in 1950.

 

Elizabeth Maud Gowan, daughter of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born May 14, 1884 in Quebec.  She was married about 1907 to Elmer E. George.  She died December 27, 1967.

 

Florence Lillian Gowan, daughter of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born December 4, 1885 in Rockburn, Quebec.  He was married about 1906 to Harry Wilbur Seward.

 

Grace Annie Gowan, daughter of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born July 26, 1887.  She was married about 1908 to Oscar J. Merle.  She died October 7, 1958.

 

Gordon Howard Gowan, son of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born December 24, 1888.  He died in November 1949 unmarried.

 

Anna Braithwaite Gowan, daughter of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born March 9, 1891.  She was married about 1910 to John Wolcott.  She was later remarried to Nathan Cassselberry.  She died November 27, 1961.

 

Sarah Evelyn Gowan, daughter of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born November 5, 1893.  She was married about 1912 to Albert A. Baker.

 

Josephine Jessie Gowan, daughter of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born November 1, 1895.  She was married in 1915 to David George Robare, ac­cording to Austin William Gowan.

 

Goldwin Braithwaite Gowan, son of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born December 7, 1897.  He was married December 28, 1925 to Annie Yates.  He died December 22, 1977.  Children born to Goldwin Braithwaite Gowan and Annie Yates Gowan are unknown.

 

Nelson Joshua Gowan, son of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born March 11, 1899.  He was married about 1923 to Gladys Louise Chisholm.  He died February 14, 1962.  Children born to Nelson Joshua Gowan and Gladys Louise Chisholm are unknown.

 

Stanley Joseph Gowan, son of Joseph Henry Gowan and Sarah Florence Howard Gowan, was born February 19, 1904.  He was married in 1933 to Louise Trombley.  He died September 6, 1954.  Children born to Stanley Joseph Gowan and Louise Trombley Gowan are unknown.

 

Anna Maria Gowan, daughter of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan and the second child to bear this name, was born April 25, 1856 at Rockburn.  She died at age five September 19, 1861 and was buried in Ronnie Methodist Church Cemetery.

 

Elizabeth Ann Gowan, daughter of Joshua Gowan and Anna Braithwaite Gowan, was born May 12, 1858 at Rockburn.  She died at age two, June 23, 1860 and was buried in Ronnie Methodist Church Cemetery.

 

William Gowan, son of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born about 1814 in Clonsaughy.  He did not marry.  It is believed that he came to Canada with the family.

 

Catherine Gowan, daughter of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born about 1815 in Clonsaughy.  She was married about 1837, husband' name Lindsay.  It is believed that they accompanied the family to New York about 1842.  She is reported to have died in New York City.

 

Joseph Henry Gowan, son of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born about 1818 in Clonsaughy.  He was married about 1839, wife's name Alicia.  It is be­lieved that Joseph Henry Gowan and Alicia Gowan lived in Quebec.

 

Ann Gowan, daughter of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born about 1820 in Clonsaughy.  She accompanied the family to New York and was married there about 1844 to Joseph Dane.  He later owned a shoe store in Utica, New York.

 

Charles Gowan, son of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born April 10, 1822, according to the St. Peters Church register in the rectory at Marybere.  He also removed to New York about 1842 and died there in 1892.

 

Richard "Jerry" Gowan, son of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born about 1825.  Of this indi­vidual nothing more is known.

 

Hannah Gowan, daughter of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born about 1828 in Clonsaughy.  She accompanied the family to New York.  She was married about 1850 to Anthony Mossop and died there about 1900.

 

Eliza Gowan, daughter of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born May 6, 1830, according to St. Peters Church register.  Austin William Gowan suggests that she died young.

 

Elijah Gowan, youngest son of Francis William Gowan and Anne Wilkinson Gowan, was born September 4, 1833 at Clonsaughy, according to St. Peters registry.  He remained on the old homestead in Ireland when the majority of the family elected to emigrate.

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George Gowen was born about 1828 in Queens County of parents unknown.  He was married there May 27, 1847 to Mary Theresa Brennan who was also born in Queens County about 1830, according to Edward Miles J. Gowen, a descen­dant who in 1991 lived in Silver Spring, Maryland.  She was the daughter of Patrick Brennan and Mary Brennan, ac­cording to the research of Capt. George Anthony Gowen, U.S.N. of Asheville, North Carolina.  He reported that Mary Brennan died August 16, 1848, and that Patrick Brennan died April 24, 1854.

 

They emigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania almost imme­diately after their wedding.  George Gowen died there April 7, 1874 at age 46, and Mary Brennan Gowen died there De­cember 28, 1883 at age 53.

 

Children born to them include:

 

Thomas Patrick Gowen born December 3, 1849

Mary Theresa Gowen born August 13, 1851

Eleanor Jane Gowen born February 6, 1854

Anna Maria Gowen born June 4, 1856

George Bernard Gowen born March 20, 1859

Myles Joseph Gowen born September 20, 1861

John Gowen born April 4, 1865

Jane Marie Gowen born November 11, 1867

 

Thomas Patrick Gowen, son of George Gowen and Mary Theresa Brennan Gowen, was born December 3, 1849 in Philadelphia.  He was married about 1874 to Brigit Meehan who was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania March 2, 1850.  She was the daughter of Andrew Meehan and Anna Kennedy Mee­han. She was baptized at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church March 5, 1850.  Thomas Patrick Gowen died April 30, 1913 in Pennsylvania, and his wife died there in 1916.

 

Children born to Thomas Patrick Gowen and Brigit Meehan Gowen include:

 

George Gowen born about 1876

Andrew Gowen born about 1878

Miles Joseph Gowen born April 19, 1880

Thomas Francis Gowen born about 1883

Leo Gowen born about 1885

John Gowen born about 1888

Joseph Patrick Gowen born about 1891

Edward Gowen born about 1894

Mary Gowen born about 1898

 

George Gowen, son of Thomas Patrick Gowen and Brigit Meehan Gowen, was born about 1876 in Phoenixville.  Of this individual nothing more is known.

 

Andrew Gowen, son of Thomas Patrick Gowen and Brigit Meehan Gowen, was born about 1878 in Phenixville.  Two daughters, Lillie Gowen and Jane Gowen were born to him.  Lillie Gowen was married to a Wright.

 

Miles Joseph Gowen, son of Thomas Patrick Gowen and Brigit Meehan Gowen, was born April 19, 1880 in Phoenixville.  He was married July 15, 1903 to Anna May Slowey who was born in Philadelphia February 22, 1879.  After the wedding, they removed to Washington, D. C. where he was employed as a plate printer in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for the next 35 years.

 

Miles Joseph Gowen died there June 11, 1937 in Georgetown Hospital, and Anna May Slowey Gowen died there January 9, 1944.

 

Children born to them include:

 

Loretto Regina Gowen born July 5, 1905

Anna May Gowen born August 30, 1907

Agnes Marie Gowen born November 10, 1909

Thomas Francis Gowen born January 24, 1915

Edward Miles Joseph Gowen born August 11, 1918

Leo Francis Gowen born October 29, 1920

 

Loretto Regina Gowen, daughter of Miles Joseph Gowen and Anna May Slowey Gowen, was born July 6, 1905 in Washington.  She was married March 30, 1940 in St. Gabriels Catholic Church in Washington to John A. Nolan of Jersey City, New Jersey.  They lived in Silver Spring, Maryland from 1940 to 1980.  She died there August 30, 1980, and he died there March 13, 1984.  They were buried in St. John's Cemetery, Forest Glen, Maryland.

 

Children born to them include:

 

Agnes Mary Nolan born March 23, 1946

 

Agnes Mary Nolan, daughter of John A. Nolan and Loretto Regina Gowen Nolan, was born in Washington March 23, 1946.  She was graduated from Georgetown University in 1968 and was employed by American Airlines.  She was mar­ried to Mathias Engels of Chicago, Illinois in 1980.  In 1991 they lived in Silver Spring.

 

Children adopted by Mathias Engels and Agnes Mary Nolan were born in Korea:

 

Eileen Engels born December 16, 1984

Kevin Engels born April 24, 1986

 

Anna May Gowen, daughter of Miles Joseph Gowen and Anna May Slowey Gowen, was born August 30, 1907 in Washington.  She died there in October 1958 unmarried.

 

Agnes Marie Gowen, daughter of Miles Joseph Gowen and Anna May Slowey Gowen, was born November 10, 1909 in Washington.  She was married in 1955 to Raymond A. Neill of Buffalo, New York.  He died in 1964 in Silver Spring and she died there June 4, 1991.  No children were born to them.

 

Thomas Francis Gowen, son of Miles Joseph Gowen and Anna May Slowey Gowen, was born in Washington January 24, 1915.  He was married to Hilda Marie Jackson May 17, 1941 in St. Gabriels Catholic Church, Washington.  They were both members of the District of Columbia Bar Associ­ation, and both were admitted to practice before the bar of the United States Supreme Court in 1941.  He died of pneu­monia in the following year on April 26, 1942.  Later Hilda Marie Jackson Gowen was remarried to John Hopkins of Philadelphia.  In 1991, she lived in Longport, New Jersey.  No children were born to them.

 

Edward Miles Joseph Gowen, son of Miles Joseph Gowen and Anna May Slowey Gowen, was born August 11, 1918 in Washington.  He was born in a "row house" in northeast Washington, about a mile from the U.S. Capitol.  Later real estate agents would describe the property as "a townhouse on Capitol Hill."  He was graduated from St. Gabriels Parochial School, Gonzaga College High School and the Columbus Law School of Catholic University in Washington.  He be­came a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association and a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court.  He was married about 1943 to Lucille Murphy of Fredericksburg, Texas. 

 

He spent 38 years as a civilian attorney working for the Army Corps of Engineers, the Army Chief of Staff and the Secre­tary of the Army.  Thirteen years of this service was in the Pentagon.  In 1991, they lived in Sil­ver Spring, Maryland.

 

Children born to Edward Miles Joseph Gowen and Lucille Murphy Gowen include:

 

Edward Miles Joseph Gowen, Jr. born March 26, 1946

 

Edward Miles Joseph Gowen, Jr, son of Edward Miles Joseph Gowen and Lucille Murphy Gowen, was born March 26, 1946 in Washington, D.C.  He was graduated from the University of Maryland in 1970 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1970 to 1974.

 

He was married November 15, 1975 to Catherine Josephine Byrne who was born in Drogheda, Ire­land.  In 1977 and 1979, they lived in Silver Spring.  In 1983, their residence was in Fairfax, Virginia, and in 1991, they were located in Bowie, Maryland.

 

Children born to Edward Miles Joseph Gowen, Jr. and Catherine Josephine Byrne Gowen include:

 

Thomas Patrick Gowen born August 18, 1977

Brendan Miles Gowen born October 9, 1979

Shane Christopher Gowen born June 13, 1983

 

Leo Francis Gowen, son of Miles Joseph Gowen and Anna May Slowey Gowen, was born in Washington October 29, 1920.  He was married to Jeanne Galarneau of Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1944.  In 1991, they lived in Port Orange, Florida.

 

Children born to Leo Francis Gowen and Jeanne Galarneau Gowen include:

 

hildren born to him include:

 

Kathleen Gowen born about 1948

Michael Gowen born about 1950

Christine Gowen born about 1953

Timothy Gowen born about 1956

 

Kathleen Gowen, daughter of Leo Francis Gowen and Jeanne Galarneau Gowen, was born about 1948.  She was married about 1969, husband's name Breckenridge.  In 1991 they lived in Waldorf, Mary­land.

 

Michael Gowen, son of Leo Francis Gowen and Jeanne Galarneau Gowen, was born about 1950.  In 1991 he lived in Richmond, Virginia.

 

Christine Gowen, daughter of Leo Francis Gowen and Jeanne Galarneau Gowen, was born about 1953.  She was married about 1974, husband's name McLellan.  In 1991 they lived in Orlando, Florida.

 

Timothy Gowen, son of Leo Francis Gowen and Jeanne Galarneau Gowen, was born about 1956.

 

Thomas Francis Gowen, son of Thomas Patrick Gowen and Brigit Meehan Gowen, was born in Philadelphia about 1883.  He was married about 1908 to Frances Anastasia O'Connor.  In 1911 they continued to live in Philadelphia where he was employed as a salesman.

 

In 1927 “Thomas Francis Gowen” was a member of the sophomore class of Temple University School of Medicine and Samaritan Hospital Training School for Nurses.

 

Children born to Thomas Francis Gowen and Frances Anastasia O'Connor Gowen include:

 

Leo Francis Gowen born October 4, 1911

Malcolm Gowen born about 1913

Thomas Gowen born about 1917

 

Leo Francis Gowen, son of Thomas Francis Gowen and Frances Anastasia O'Connor Gowen, was born in Philadel­phia October 4, 1911.  He received his preliminary education at public and parochial schools in his native city, according to "National Cyclopedia of American Biography." 

 

He was graduated with a B.A. in 1934 from St. Joseph Col­lege, Philadelphia and received an M.D. in 1938 at Temple University.  He served his internship at Philadelphia General Hospital during 1934-1940 and was a resident at St. Christo­pher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia in 1940 and 1941.

 

From 1941 until 1945, during World War II, he served in the U.S. Medical Corps as a battalion surgeon with the 9th In­fantry Division in the African and European theaters.  He was a captain at the time of his discharge.

 

He was married during the war to Louise Barbara Gizinski in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania January 10, 1942.  She was the daughter of a coalminer of that city.  In 1945 Dr. Leo Francis Gowen began a practice of pediatrics in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

Dr. Leo Francis Gowen was a consulting pediatrician at St. Louis County Hospital, Clayton, Missouri and St. Louis Ma­ternity Hospital, McMillan, Missouri.  He was on the staff of St. Joseph's Hospital, Kirkwood, Missouri from 1961 to 1964.  He was medical director for the Family and Children Service, St. Louis from 1946 to 1953.  In 1948 he joined the staff of Washington University as an instructor.  He lived at 549 Lo.­cust Court, according to the 1959 city directory of St. Louis.  A participant in civic affairs, he served on committees of the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Youth Foundation in Webster Grove, Missouri.  A diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics, he also was a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the American, Southern Missouri State and St. Louis County medical associations, St. Louis Pediatrics Society, Catholic Physicians Guild and the Holy Name Society.

 

Dr. Leo Francis Gowen died in Kirkwood, Missouri, September 5, 1964.  Louise Barbara Gizinski Gowen lived at 1114 Chesshire Lane, according to the 1964 city directory of St. Louis.

 

Eight children, six having the name Francis, were born to Dr. Leo Francis Gowen and Louise Barbara Gizinski Gowen:

 

Patricia Louise Gowen born about 1945

Thomas Francis Gowen born about 1946

Leo Francis Gowen born about 1948

Joseph Francis Gowen born about 1950

Michael Francis Gowen born about 1952

Stephen Francis Gowen born about 1954

Francis Xavier Gowen born about 1956

Marie Louise Gowen born about 1958

 

Patricia Louise Gowen, daughter of Leo Francis Gowen and Louise Barbara Gizinski Gowen, was born about 1945, prob­ably in St. Louis.  In 1966 she lived at 1114 Chessire Lane, the home of her mother, according to the St. Louis city directory.

 

Thomas Francis Gowen, son of Leo Francis Gowen and Louise Barbara Gizinski Gowen, was born about 1946, prob­ably in St. Louis.  In 1966 he, a student was shown in the household of his mother at 1114 Chesshire Lane.

 

Malcolm Gowen, son of Thomas Francis Gowen and Francis Anastasia O'Connor Gowen, was born about 1913.  Of this individual nothing more is known.

 

Thomas Gowen, son of Thomas Francis Gowen and Francis Anastasia O'Connor Gowen, was born about 1917.  Of this individual nothing more is known.

 

Mary Gowen, daughter of Thomas Patrick Gowen and Bridgit Meehan Gowen, was born about 1898.  She was mar­ried about 1918, husband's name, Cristy.

 

Mary Theresa Gowen, daughter of George Gowen and Mary Theresa Brennan Gowen, was born August 13, 1851 in Philadelphia.  She died April 28, 1905.

 

Eleanor Jane Gowen, daughter of George Gowen and Mary Theresa Brennan Gowen, was born in Philadelphia about 1853.  She was married about 1870, husband's name, McNa­mara. 

 

Anna Maria Gowen, daughter of George Gowen and Mary Theresa Brennan Gowen, was born June 4, 1856 in Philadel­phia.  She died February 5, 1939.

 

George Bernard Gowen, son of George Gowen and Mary Theresa Brennan Gowen, was born March 20, 1859 in Philadelphia.  He died April 12, 1939.

 

Myles Joseph Gowen, son of George Gowen and Mary Theresa Brennan Gowen, was born September 20, 1861 in Philadelphia.  He was married there April 20, 1888 to Mary Elizabeth Furey who was born to Mrs. Margaret Feeney Furey in Huntingdon, Quebec April 6, 1863.  They removed to Malone, New York. 

 

After their marriage, they made their home at 2216 Poplar Street, Philadelphia where he became postmaster of the West Philadelphia Post Office.  She died January 23, 1936, and he died November 28, 1938. 

 

Children born to Myles Joseph Gowen and Mary Elizabeth Furey Gowen include:

 

Mary M. Gowen born January 4, 1889

Helena M. Gowen born October 3, 1890

George Anthony Gowen born October 16, 1892

Anna M. Gowen born August 6, 1895

Gertrude Gowen born March 13, 1897

Loretto Agnes Gowen born November 30, 1898

Walter A. Gowen born May 17, 1900

Margaret M. Gowen born October 6, 1902

 

Mary M. Gowen, daughter of Myles Joseph Gowen and Mary Elizabeth Furey Gowen, was born January 4, 1889 in Philadelphia.  She was married June 7, 1919 to W. Wright Humphreys.  He was born September 5, 1892.  Mary M. Gowen Humphreys died February 7, 1940.  He died Novem­ber 18, 1976.

 

Children born to them include:

 

Mary Gowen Humphreys born October 4, 1926

 

Mary Gowen Humphreys, daughter of W. Wright Humphreys and Mary M. Gowen Humphreys, was born October 4, 1926 in Philadelphia.  She was married there to George P. Williams June 7, 1952.  He died in 1983.

 

One daughter was adopted by them:

 

Elizabeth Gowen Williams born March 8, 1966

 

Helena M. Gowen, daughter of Myles Joseph Gowen and Mary Elizabeth Furey Gowen, was born October 3, 1890 in Philadelphia.  She died December 30, 1975. 

 

George Anthony Gowen, son of Myles Joseph Gowen and Mary Elizabeth Furey Gowen, was born in Philadelphia Oc­tober 16, 1892.  He was married June 10, 1916 to Anna M. Barrow.  They lived at 43 Baily Road, Lansdowne, Pennsyl­vania where he was a plumber and chief of the Lansdowne Volunteer Fire Department.  He died December 29, 1925, and she died March 1, 1950.. 

 

Children born to them include:

 

George Anthony Gowen, Jr. born October 2, 1917

Mary T. Gowen born November 22, 1919

James J. Gowen born November 9, 1921

Helen A. Gowen born February 26, 1923