Pvt. John Goins, a black Union prison guard, shot a Confederate prisoner of war near Newport News, Virginia after the Civil War had been ended, according to an article written by Benjamin Tyree for the March 7, 1992 edition of "The Washington Post."
"Confederate war prisons may have a worse reputation than those of the Union, owing partly to the horrific Andersonville in Georgia, where 13,000 Union soldiers died.
But despite the more ample provision available to the Union, its prisoners often found conditions anything but a picnic. There were many reports of inadequate and tainted food and water, unsanitary conditions and fatal epidemics of smallpox and other diseases. There were many deaths among prisoners poorly clothed and: sheltered (often outdoors) in the freezing northern winter.
Complicating the treatment of prisoners, and the whole postwar occupation of the South, was the broader conflict between black Union troops and white Confederates. Southerners deeply resented the Union's arming blacks and putting the defeated Confederacy under the heel of an army that included many former slaves. Black soldiers had the bitter memories not only of slavery but also of bloody pursuits of runaways seeking Union lines and of take no-prisoners battlefield carnage concentrated against them at such places as Fort Pillow and the Petersburg Crater.
Perhaps issuing from this poisoned relationship was an episode investigated by the Newport News, Virginia Union Army post headquarters involving a Confederate prisoner of war and three black Union sentries.
The prisoner, a Pvt. Thomas Tyree [no known relation to this writer], was shot three times in an alleged escape attempt the night of April 20, 1865. This occurred a week and a half after Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appommattox and the paroling of his army by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant but also less than a week after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln had further inflamed anti-Southern feeling.
The prisoner said: he was heading "to the sink when the sentinel hailed me several times and ordered me to halt. I did not know at first that he was hailing me. I halted when ordered. The sentinel told me to come up to him. I did so, and when within 15 paces of him, he ordered me to halt again. I halted. He then asked me what I wanted. I told him I had the diarrhea and was going to do a job. The sentinel said it was a damned lie and that I didn't want to . . . . He then shot me. I was also shot by the sentinel on each side of me.
The sentinel who first fired, John Goins, said, "Tyree didn't halt when ordered to, but turned away from me . . . . I feel certain that the man I shot was trying to escape." The sentinels said they had standing orders to shoot prisoners who did not halt on command. They said Tyree had rushed the post of the first sentry, and was followed by as many as 15 other prisoners. Union Capt. A.D. Clark said he heard the sentinel repeatedly order someone to halt. "In about 10 seconds, three shots fired in rapid succession." The official account of the investigation was inconclusive. But war records at the National Archives show that the black sentries' company sailed from Newport News that May, bound for new duty in Corpus Christi, Texas. Prisoner of war Thomas Tyree took the oath of allegiance to the United States and was released in July 1865."
==O==
Phillip Gowen, negro won his freedom in court in June 1675, according to "Judicial Cases Concerning American Slavery and the Negro" by Helen Honor Tunnicliff Catterall. Court records reveal:
"Phillip Gowen, negro, Suing Mr. Jno. Lucas . . . for his freedome. It is Ordered that the said Phill. Gowen be free from the Said Mr. Lucas, his Service and that the Indenture Acknowledg'd in Warwick County be Invallid and that the said Mr. Lucas pay unto the sd. Gowen three Barrels of Corne att the Cropp [harvest time], according to the Will of Mrs. Amy Boazlye, deceased with costs."
Warwick County, Virginia was merged into the city of Warwick, Virginia and then into the city of Newport News, according to the research of Virginia Easley De Marce of Arlington, Virginia. Surviving records in 1991 were being maintained by the City of Newport News.
Shadrach Going was born about 1725 of parents unknown, probably in Hanover County. Jack Harold Goins wrote, “Shadrack may have been a brother to David Goins, and also my 8th generation grandfather, John Goins, all from the same area of Virginia. Some researchers refer to them as the Grist Mill Goins. John Going was the first person granted permis-sion to build a Grist Mill in Henry County, Virginia and David was soon to follow him.
Hanover County was formed in 1720 from New Kent County, the residence of Mihil Gowen when he died. Shadrach Going was married about 1748, wife unknown, probably in Hanover County. It is believed that he was married three times.
He continued to live in Hanover County in November 1757 and in 1760 when sons David Smith Going and Laban Going were born. By 1765, he had removed to Halifax County, Virginia. Halifax County was formed in 1752 from Antrim Parish of Lunenburg County.
In the May 1765 Court session "Shadrack Going" & Peter Rickman were indicted by the Halifax County grand jury "for concealing each one Tithable." In the August 1766 Court term charges against "Shadrack Going" were dismissed by the Grand Jury, according to Minute Book 5, [Part 2], page 358.
Shadrach Going purchased June 3, 1768 from Lewis Jenkins of adjoining Pittsylvania County, Virginia 387 acres of land located on both sides of Polecat Creek for £35, according to Halifax County Deed Book 7, page 223. The land was "bounded by Echols, Robert Walton, Anderson and Main Creek. Witnesses to the deed were Thomas Lovelace, George Combs, Bebajah Parker and William [X] Mays. Shadrack Going had the document recorded August 18, 1768.
On October 4, 1780, in Halifax County, "Shadrack Going," "David Going" and Peter Wilson witnessed the will of Stephen Wilson. The will was proved June 20, 1782 "by two witnesses [unnamed]." Shadrach Going appeared in the 1782 tax list of Halifax County with 12 in his family. "Shadrack Going," with 10 members in his household, appeared in the 1785 census of Halifax County, along with John Going, four members and David Going, four members, assumed to be his brothers or his sons.
On a deed recorded November 17, 1785, "Shadrack Going" sold 451 acres on Pole Cat Creek to Henry Hobson. This may have included the land he purchased from Lewis Jenkins in 1768.
Pittsylvania County, Virginia was formed in 1766 with land from Halifax County. Henry County, Virginia was formed in 1776 with land from Pittsylvania County. Patrick County, Virginia was formed with land from Henry County, Virginia in 1790.
Shadrach Going was first mentioned in Patrick County, Virginia records when he bought 1,000 acres June 11, 1792 on both sides of the Little Dan River from John Marr for £500 pounds, a lot of money for that time, according to Donna Gowin Johnston, researcher of Casper, Wyoming.
The plantation of Shadrack Going was the scene of a jury inquest held to determine the cause of death of Nathan Going, believed to be his son, according to Patrick County Will Book 1, page 53. The inquest was dated November 9, 1793, according to Lela C. Adams in "Abstracts of Wills, Inventories and Accounts, Patrick County, Virginia:"
"Inquisition taken at the plantation of Shadrack Going before Edward Tatum, a commissioner. The body of Nathan Going then and there lying dead. One Robert Hall on Saturday, 21 September last, on the plantation of Jacob Lawson mortally wounded the said Going on the head with a weeding hoe and broke the skull of Going through the rage and passion of Robert Hall.
Jurors: Jonathan Hanby, foreman, Obadiah Hudson, Isaac Pennington, Aaron Rea, Harberd Smith, Warham Easley, William Easley, Thomas Collings, William Collings, Anthony Collings, John Wilson and Richard Davidson."
Shadrack Going posted bond and was appointed administrator of the estate of Nathan Going December 10, 1793, according to Will Book 1, page 6. The estate of "Nathan Goings" was appraised at £25:8:10 by Obadiah Hudson, John Rea and James Taylor and returned to the court May 23, 1794, according to Will Book 1, page 22. The estate consisted of "4 notes amounting to £24.2.3, hammer, gun and rasp, Total: £25:8:10."
On November 4, 1793 Shadrack Going administered the estate of Nathan Going who had been "killed by being struck in the head with the eye of a weeding hoe by Robert Hall on the plantation of Jacob Lawson." Thomas Ward and Joshua Adams were his bondsmen. Edward Tolman, John Hanby and Nathaniel Smith were appointed to settle the estate.
In 1797, "Shadrach Going, Sr, Joseph Going, John Going, James Going, Zeph Going, Shadrack Going, Jr, David Going, Laban Going, William Going and Isaac Going" appeared as taxpayers in Patrick County, Virginia.
June Smith, Foundation Member transcribed the Going individuals listed in the early tax lists of Patrick County which was formed in 1790 from Henry County.
In 1800, "Shadrach Going, Joseph Going, Isaac Going, Benjamin Going, Labon Going, Caleb Going, William Going, James Going, Martin Going, Obediah Going, Jacob Going and David Going" appeared as taxpayers in Patrick County.
In 1801, "Shadrach Going, John Going, Obediah Going, Caleb Going, Laberne Going, Isaac Going, Johnson Going, David Going, James Going, John Going on the Dan River, Benjamin Going, William Going and Joseph Going" were on the Patrick County tax list.
In 1802, "Shadrach Going, William Going, Benjamin Going, John Going on Dan River and Benjamin Going appeared on the Patrick County tax list.
In 1803, "Shadrach Going, Johnson Going, John Going, William Going, Sr, Laban, Benjamin Going on Dan River" were recorded as taxpayers.
In 1804, "Shadrach Going, William Going, William Going, Jr, James Going, Benjamin Going, John Going, Obediah Going and Johnson Going" were taxpayers in Patrick County.
In 1805, "Shadrach Going, James Going, John Going, John Going, Jr, William Going, Abidiah Going, Benjamin Going were taxpayers in Patrick County.
In 1806, "William Going, William Going, Jr, John Going, Obadiah Going, Benjamin Going, James Going and Stephen Going appeared on the Patrick County tax rolls.
In 1807, "Hezekiah Gowing, Obediah Going, James Going, William K. Going, Stephen Going and Barbrezel Going" appeared as Patrick County taxpayers.
In November 1803, "Shadrack Goine" sold 48 acres of his 1,000 acres to his grandson, Shadrack Beazley for a "valuable consideration."
The will of Shadrack Going, dated June 4, 1805, was filed in Patrick County Will Book 1, pages 80-81 and abstracted in "Abstracts of Wills, Inventories and Accounts, Patrick County, Virginia:"
"Will of Shadrack Going, being sick and weak . . .
Legatees: to my beloved wife, Hannah one feather bed, furniture, kitchen furniture, 'youse' of one sorrell mare and possession of my house and her support out of my plantation during her natural lifetime and at her death her bed, furniture, etc. to be 'ekwil' divided between Jerushe & Keziah Going.
The plantation whereon I now live on both sides of Little Dan River to my beloved son Obediah, also my hackle and one sorrell stud, mare and colt. His mother is to have the use of the mare when she wishes. Also to him bed, furniture, plantation working tools, 4 head cattle, all hogs in order to support himself and mother.
To beloved daughter Keziah Going, 1 rone horse, saddle, bridle, 1 cow, bed and furniture.
To Rebecca Going, daughter of Fanny Going, wife of Edmond Bowlin, one cow.
To the following beloved sons, 5 shillings each, to wit: John Going, David Smith Going, James Going, Claborne Going, Solomon Going, Shadrack Going and Caleb Going.
To daughter Fanny Bowlin, wife of Edmund Bowlin, 5 shillings.
To daughter Hannah Beazley, wife of Thomas Beazley, 5 shillings.
My upper plantation on the south side of Little Dan River I have already given to Shadrack Beazley, son of Thomas Beazley, by deed.
Executors: William Carter and William Burge.
Witnesses: David P----, William Coomer, H--- Adams.
Will returned to December Court, 1805."
On March 27, 1806, William Carter posted bond and received the administration of the estate of Shadrack Going. He made a return to the court in March 1806. In the May 1806 term of the court he returned the inventory of the deceased: "5 books, household items and livestock, Total: $289.13." Appraisers were Nathaniel Smith, James L. Gaines and Samuel Hanby, Jr.
Quoting from Patrick County Deed Book 3, page 87:
"State of Tennessee}
County of Grainger}
"Whereas Shadrack Gowing, late of the county of Patrick . . . possessed land in said county lying on Little Dan River, containing 912 acres and also possessed of a considerable personal estate . . . whereas Shadrick Gowing had the following children, Jerusha, John, David Smith, James, Fanny, Claiborne, Leaborne [Laban], Kesiah, Shadrake [Shadrach], Hannah, Obediah, and Caleb. . . . sons John, James, Caleb, Claiborne, Shadrick and Leaborne . . . appoint Henry Howell of the County of Grainger . . . their true and lawful attorney . . . to sue . . . Obediah Gowing for settling the property unfairly and submitting a will which was not Shadrack Gowing's will.
July 24, 1806 John Gowing James Gowing
Caleb Gowing Claiborne Gowing
Leaborne Gowing Jerusha Gowing
Witnesses:
J. J. Jack, Leaborne Gowing, Henry Howell"
It is interesting to note that Jerusha Going signed the instrument with her brothers, but was not mentioned in the document. "Shadrack Gowing" was mentioned in the document, but did not sign it. "Leaborne [Laban] Gowing, one of the plaintiffs, also signed as a witness.
On March 31, 1808 "Jerusha Gowing and Kesiah Gowing, heirs of Shadrack Gowing, dec'd, gave a quit claim deed to their interest in the estate to Gabriel Hanby, Sr. On August "Obediah Going of this county sells to Gabriel Hanby 1,200 acres on the Little Dan River for $1,600 whereon Shadrick Going, deceased lived." The deed was witnessed by William Carter, Thomas [X] Beasley and John Tatum.
Patrick County Deed Book 3, page 83 records an apparent settlement of the dispute dated October 30, 1807:
"I, Henry Howell, attorney for John Going, James Going and Laborne [no last name] have this day by virtue of my power compromised all manner of dispute about the will of Shadrack Going, dec'd and so hereby for the above named persons transfer all their right and rights unto a certain tract of land to Gab'l Hanby and for which land a suit was brought in Patrick Court to set aside a second will, as witness my hand and seal.
Witnesses: Henry Howell
Nat'l Claiborne,
Fleming Saunders"
On February 20, 1812, James S. Gains and Obediah Goin, "heir at law of Shadrack Goin, dec'd exchanged land on the west side of the Goin line on Thomas Beazley's corner," according to Patrick County Deed Book 3, page 530. Witnesses were John Tatum, Thomas Beazley and William D. Gaines.
Following is the list compiled by Donna Gowin Johnston of the known children of Shadrack Going/Gowing:
John Going born about 1749
David Smith Going born November 21, 1751
Laban Going born in 1757
Daniel Going born about 1760
Hannah Going born about 1763
Caleb Going born about 1765
James Going born about 1769
Solomon Going born about 1771
Claiborne Going born about 1773
Shadrack Going, Jr. born about 1775
Obadiah Going born about 1776
Nathan Going born about 1777
Fanny Going born about 1781
Rebecca Going born about 1783
Jerusha Going born about 1787
Keziah Going born about 1789
Traces of the descendants of Shadrack Going have been found in several counties in Tennessee: Claiborne, Grainger, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Knox, Roane and Wilson. The 1810 tax list of Grainger County lists six sons and one son-in-law of Shadrack Gowin/Going of Patrick County, Virginia:
"Bolling, Edmund 1 white poll
Goan, John 1 white poll 90 ac. on Young's Crk
Goan, Claiborne 1 white poll 100 ac. on Young's
Crk
Goan, James 1 white poll
Goan, William 1 white poll
Goan, Shaderick 1 white poll
Goan, Daniel 1 white poll 338 ac, Richland Crk
Gowin, Caleb 1 white poll
*Howell Henry 1 white poll 900 ac. on Young's
Crk
*Attorney for Going brothers in Patrick County lawsuit.
The 1810 census records these families differently:
"Bolen, Edmund 8 free colored 6 children
Goan, John 9 free colored 7 children
Goan, Claibourn 8 free colored 6 children
Goan, James 3 free colored 1 white fem. 16-26
Goan, Shadrach 5 free colored 3 children
Goan, Caleb 6 free colored 4 children"
"Goin, Daniel white male 26-45
white female 26-45
white female 10-16
white female 10-16
white male 0-10
white male 0-10
white male 0-10
white male 0-10
white female 0-10
slave"
"Guin, Joseph white male 26-45
white female 16-26
white male 0-10
white female 0-10"
"Guin, William white male 26-45
white female 26-45
white female 10-16
white female 0-10"
Virginia Easley DeMarse, Foundation researcher, compiled a list of the early taxpayers of Grainger County of interest to Gowen chroniclers. Her account read:
"By the provisions of the Act of 1797, the justices were authorized to take lists of taxable property and polls in various captains' companies of the militia. White polls were "all free males and male servants, between the age of twenty-one and fifty years;" slaves, "all slaves male and female, between the age of twelve and fifty years." On Monday, November 3, 1809, the Grainger County Court ordered ten justices to take the list of taxable property and make their returns at the next court session. The returns were made February 19, 20, 21, 1810. The amount of tax was omitted on the copy I abstracted from.
The headers for the following list are:
1) on each 100 acres, 12.5 cents
2) each town lot, 25 cents
3) each free poll, 12.5 cents
4) each black poll, 25 cents 5)
5) each retail store, $5.00.
The acreage is listed after item 1.
Polls and Taxable property in 1811 in Captain William Mays’s Company of Militia returned by Moses Hodge included:
John Goan, 90 acres North Holston, Young's Creek, no polls.
Claiborne Goan, 100 acres North Holston, Young's Creek , 1 free poll.
James Goan, 1 free poll.
List of polls and taxable property in the bounds of Captain Elisha Williamson's Company returned by Henry Boatman included:
William Goan, 1 free poll.
Shaderick Goan, 1 free poll.
List of polls and taxable property in the bounds of Captain John Bull's Company, returned by John Moffet included:
Caleb Gowin, 1 free poll.
List of Polls and Taxable Property returned by William Clay in the bounds of Captain Richard Cotses' Company included:
Samuel Bunch, 180 acres at Richland, 1 free poll.
Samuel Bunch for John Spencer, 2.
John Bunch, Senr. 187 acres R. C, 2 polls (black?).
John Bunch, Senr. 200 acres R. Knobbs, 6 (black?) polls, 4 other polls.
Captain Samuel Richardson's Company returned by David Tate, included:
William Guynn, 200 acres, 1 free poll.
Captain Thomas Sharp's Company returned by Mathew Campbell included:
Daniel Goan, 338 acres R. Creek, 1 free poll.
Robert Gains, 150 acres R. L. McNabbs, 1 free poll.
From tax lists it is apparent that six sons of Shadrack Going spent these years in Grainger County:
John Gowin 1806-1828
James Going 1799-1811
Claiborne Goins 1810-1811
Caleb Gowin 1808-1819
David Smith Goins 1819-1827
Shadrach Going had at least 10 children born by 1782. The sons in Grainger County at the time of his death in 1805 were at least 18 years old, all born before 1787. Judging from the size of their families in 1810, they were probably much older.
==O==
John Going, son of Shadrach Going, was born about 1749 in Hanover County, according to the research of Donna Gowin Johnston. He accompanied his father in his moves across Virginia. John Going was enumerated in the 1785 census of Halifax County, Virginia with four members in his family.
He appeared on the tax lists of Patrick County in 1797. In 1801 he was recorded as a taxpayer “on Dan River.” He rappeared on the Patrick County tax lists of 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805 and 1806.
John Going, "free colored," was a resident of Patrick County in 1802.
"John Going, Sr." appeared as the head of a household in 1810, according to "A Supplement to the 1810 Census of Virginia." He paid tax on two polls and one horse. "John Going, free colored male, 26-45" was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1820 census of Patrick County, page 109-A. Five members of the household were engaged in agriculture. He did not reappear in the 1830 census of Patrick County.
It is believed that children born to John Going include:
John Going, Jr. born about 1776
Obadiah Going born in 1777
William Going born about 1778
Nancy Going born about 1787
John Going, Jr, believed to be a son of John Going, was born about 1776. He was married to Margaret Gregory March 12, 1812, according to “Patrick County, Virginia Marriages, 1791-1850.” John Going was surety, and Eliphaz Shelton was a witness. Eliphaz Shelton was also the surety for the marriage of Isaac Going and Nancy Lizby in 1796.
John Going, Jr. paid tax on one poll in 1810 in Patrick County. According to the tax list he owned no slaves or horses at that time.
John Going, Jr. and Margaret Gregory Going were enumerated in Stokes County, North Carolina in the 1840 and 1850 census returns. She was recorded in the 1870 census of Stokes County as a widow, according to Jean Grider.
Children born to John Going, Jr. and Margaret Gregory Going, according to Jean Grider, include:
[child] born about 1813
[child] born about 1815
[child] born about 1817
[child] born about 1820
Jonathan Henry Going born about 1822
James Going born about 1824
Isham Going born about 1827
[son] born about 1830
Obadiah Going, believed to be a son of John Going, was born in 1777. He was surety for the marriage of his sister, Nancy Going February 24, 1807 when she was married to Stephen Going, according to "Patrick County, Virginia Marriages 1791-1850."
William Going, son of John Going, was born about 1778, probably in Virginia. William Going, "son of John Going," was married to Elizabeth Pack, "daughter of Mary Bowman" July 26, 1802, according to “Patrick County, Virginia Marriages, 1791-1850.” John Going was surety for the marriage. William Going was a taxpayer in 1810 on one poll and eight horses, according to the tax list. "William Going, free colored" was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1830 census of Patrick County, page 154. Of William Going and Elizabeth Pack Going nothing more is known.
Nancy Going, believed to be a daughter of John Going, Sr, was born about 1787, probably in Virginia. Family researcher Kevin E. D. Smith of Boones Mill, Virginia suggests that her date of birth was closer to 1779. Nancy Going, "daughter of John Going" was married February 24, 1807 to Stephen Going, according to "Patrick County, Virginia Marriages, 1791-1850." They are believed to be cousins.
Obadiah Going was surety for the marriage of his sister, Nancy Going when she was married to Stephen Going. David Hanby and William Moore were witnesses. William H. Robertson was the minister.
Stephen Going paid a tax on one horse and one poll in 1810. He owned no slaves at that time. Stephen Going appeared as a farmer and the head of a household in the 1820 census of Patrick County, page 121-A:
"Going, Stephen white male 26-45
white female 26-45
white female 10-16
white male 0-16
white female 0-16
white female 0-16"
Stephen Going, "free colored male" appeared as the head of a household in the 1830 census of Patrick County. The family was rendered as:
"Going, Stephen free colored male 36-55
free colored female 36-55
free colored male 10-24
free colored female 10-24
free colored female 10-24
free colored female 10-24
free colored male 0-10
free colored female 0-10
free colored female 0-0"
Stephen Going, “free black,” appeared on the tax rolls of Patrick County for the years of 1851 and 1858.
Nancy Going Going died in 1860 and Stephen Going died in 1863, according to Kevin E. D. Smith, a descendant.
Children born to them include:
Milly Going born about 1808
Allen Going born about 1810
Zilphy Going born about 1816
Susan Going born about 1819
Enoch Going born about 1822
Lucy Going born about 1823
Sally Going born about 1825
Milly Going, daughter of Stephen Going and Nancy Going Going, was born about 1808 in Patrick County. Of this individual nothing more is known.
Allen Going, son of Stephen Going and Nancy Going Going, was born about 1810 in Patrick County. He was married about 1835 to Martha Beasley who was born about 1818.
“Allen Going, free black, farmer, age 47” was listed in the 1857 tax roll of Patrick County, southern district. “Henry Going, free black, age 19” was also listed in this tax roll.
Both Allen Going and Martha Beasley Going died in 1880.
Children born to Allen Going and Martha Beasley Going include:
Henry Clay Going born about 1836
Perrian Going born about 1838
Alexander Going born about 1840
Calvany Going born about 1842
Malinda Going born about 1844
Elizabeth Going born about 1848
Harrison Going born about 1849
Floyd Going born about 1855
Coleman Going born about 1858
Henry Clay Going, son of Allen Going and Martha Beasley Going, was born about 1836 in Patrick County. He was listed along with his father in the 1857 tax roll of Patrick County, southern district as “Henry Goin, age 19.” “Henry Goin, free black,” was also listed in the tax rolls of Patrick County for the years 1858, 1859, 1860 and 1861.
==O==
John Going was mentioned in the will of his father written June 4, 1805 as the recipient of “five shillings.” On July 24, 1806 John Going of Grainger County, Tennessee joined some of his brothers in filing suit against their brother, Obadiah Going for mishandling of the administration of their father’s estate.
Quoting from Patrick County Deed Book 3, page 87:
"State of Tennessee}
County of Grainger}
"Whereas Shadrack Gowing, late of the county of Patrick . . . possessed land in said county lying on Little Dan River, containing 912 acres and also possessed of a considerable personal estate . . . whereas Shadrick Gowing had the following children, Jerusha, John, David Smith, James, Fanny, Claiborne, Leaborne [Laban], Kesiah, Shadrake [Shadrach], Hannah, Obediah, and Caleb. . . . sons John, James, Caleb, Claiborne, Shadrick and Leaborne . . . appoint Henry Howell of the County of Grainger . . . their true and lawful attorney . . . to sue . . . Obediah Gowing for settling the property unfairly and submitting a will which was not Shadrack Gowing's will.
July 24, 1806 John Gowing James Gowing
Caleb Gowing Claiborne Gowing
Leaborne Gowing Jerusha Gowing
Witnesses:
J. J. Jack, Leaborne Gowing, Henry Howell"
“John Goan, one white poll” was assessed as a taxpayer in the 1810 tax list of Grainger County. In the 1810 census of Grainger County “John Goan” was enumerated as the head of a “free colored” household of nine individuals which included seven children.
He shown as the owner of 90 acres located “on Young’s Creek of the North Holston” with “no polls” which suggested that he was regarded as “free colored” at that time.
“John Gowin” appeared in the tax lists of Grainger County from 1806 to 1828. It is assumed that he died there about that time.
Children born to John Going, according to the research of Clara Jean Grider include:
John Going, Jr. born about 1790
John Going, Jr, son of John Going was born about 1790. He was married in 1812 to Margaret Gregory. Eliphaz Shelton who was a witness at their marriage in Patrick County was a bondsman at the marriage of Isaac Going and Nancy Lizby April 12, 1796. Eliphaz Shelton died in 1834 in Lawrence County, Tennessee, and his estate sale was held October 25, 1834 where Frederick Gowen and Samuel Cox made purchases.
They were enumerated in the 1850 census of Stokes County, North Carolina in Household 51-51:
“Going, John, Jr. 60, born in VA
Margaret 60, born in NC
Going, Leroy 15, born in VA, grandson”
Children born to John Going, Jr. and Margaret Gregory Going, according to Clara Jean Grider include:
Jonathan Henry Gowen born about 1822
James Going born about 1825
Lee Going born about 1835
Jonathan Henry Gowen, son of John Going, Jr. and Margaret Gregory Going, was born about 1822, according to the 1850 census. His 1880 enumeration showed his birth year as 1825. In a deposition taken December 13, 1898, he stated his age as 71, indicating that he was born in 1827.
On February 6, 1846, Jonathan Henry Gowen was married to Hannah Beasley, according to "Surry County Marriage Bonds, 1780-1868."
Jonathan Henry Gowen and Hannah Beasley Gowen were enumerated in the 1850 census of Stokes County, North Carolina in the 1850 census, Household 48-48, according to the research of Clara Jean Grider:
“Going, Jonathon 28, born in VA
Hannah 24, born in VA
Mary F. 2, born in NC
Sarah J. 1, born in NC”
Enumerated in the adjoining household, 49-49, was the family of James Gowen, regarded as the brother of Jonathan Gowen:
Going, James 26, born in VA
Betsy 27, born in NC
Polly 2, born in NC
Lilburn 2, born in NC”
Enumerated in the adjoining household, 50-50, was the family of Thomas Beasley, regarded as a brother of Hannah Beasley:
Beazley, Thomas 36, born in VA
Elizabeth 26, born in NC
Franklin 11, born in VA
Jas. W. 8, born in VA
Sally 8, born in VA
Fanny 7, born in VA
Jonathon 5, born in VA
Isaac 1, born in NC”
Enumerated in the 1850 census of Stokes County in adjoining Household 51-51 were:
“Going, John, Jr. 60, born in VA
Margaret 60, born in NC
Going, Leroy 15, born in VA, grandson”
Ten households away was enumerated the household of Thomas Going, No. 61-61:
“Going, Thomas 55, born in VA
Jane 50, born in VA
Ruthy 30, born in VA
Becca 21, born in VA
Frederick 16, born in NC
Emyette 14, born in VA
Amanda 9, born in NC”
“Deposition:
Case of Jonathan Gowen, Certificate No. 324757
On this 13th day of December 1898 at near Gradyville, County of Adair, State of Kentucky, before me, R. J. Austin, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared the pensioner Jonathan Gowen, who being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination to aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says:
My age is 71 years, P.O. Gradyville, Ky, occupation, has been that of a farmer. I am not able to do anything now. I served in Co. G, 37th Ky. Mtd. Inf. from August 1863 until December 1864. This was the only military service I ever saw, and I was never in the Naval Service. I was never in the Confederate Army, except as a prisoner of war. I enlisted from this neighborhood, and had lived here about two years before I en-listed. I came here from North Carolina, Stokes County near Francisco and lived 10 or 12 miles from Mt. Airy in Surry County. I have two brothers living in N.C, James Gowen and Lee Gowen. James’ P.O. was Francisco, and Lee’s P.O. was White Plains, Patrick County, Va, the last I knew. I was a farmer before I left N.C. I hired no one to work for me. Robert Hines, Henderson Dingman and Ira Jessups were my near neighbors and will know as much as anyone else about me. I had an attack of dyspepsia in N.C. is all the sickness I had then. I had no sickness after coming to this county until my enlistment in the above named organization. My intimate friends and associates in Ky, for the two years before my enlistment were James O. Nelson, W. R. Moss, Pyrrhus Nelson and T. J. Kellum. These are all the ones living now who were close neighbors before the war.
Question: Were you a sound, healthy man when you enlisted?
Answer: Yes, sir, I was.
Question: Did you have anything the matter with your legs at any time before your enlistment?
Answer: I did not. I had no sores on my legs until after my enlistment. No, I had no spell of fever before enlistment. We were not stripped & examined at enlistment or M.I. [muster in?], but was just asked a few questions. I wore boots while in the service. No, I didn’t wear shoes. No, I did not tell anyone that I could not wear boots on account of sore legs for I did wear boots all the time while I was in the service. I have often complained since the war that I could not wear boots because my legs were sore, but I never made such a complaint before my service.
I was living on the farm of Elizabeth Kemp [dead] at enlistment and had lived there most all the time after coming from North Carolina. She had two sons, George and Tom. George’s P.O. was Columbia, and I don’t know Tom’s P.O. I did not write any body except my children the two years before enlistment. My daughters’ names are Frances Moore, Sarah J. Pike, P. O. Columbus, Mo, and my son is A. J. Gowen.
Question: Did you have any difficulty with a man named John Wauf at any time?
Answer: Some time after the close of the war, I was riding along the road and John Wauf came along drunk and hit me on the head with a club. It did not hurt me at all, only cut a hole in my hat. No, he did not hit me on the leg at all. No, he did not strike me with a rock on the leg or any place else. My legs began to be sore about two months before I was M.O. [mustered out] of the service. This was at Lexington, Ky. My legs both swelled up while I was in the service, and I could press my thumb on the flesh of my legs, and it would make a dent that I could lay a hen egg in, and then the legs broke out in yellow blisters. Dr. J. G. Taylor [dead] who lived in Columbia examined me before I was mustered out of the service, and he said the condition of my legs was a result of the jaundice which I had in the service while camped at Glasgow, Ky. I got a furlough and came home. No, I did not make a crop while at home, but my wife and children made a crop while I was home. No, my legs were not sore while I was at home that time. No, my legs were never injured in any way before the war. I have hurt my legs often since they got sore, that is, would accidently knock the scab off and make the sore bleed. I recollect that I was at work on the road 15 or 20 years ago, and a piece of rock flew and struck right in the sore on the right leg and made it bleed a good deal. This the worst hurt I have had since my legs became sore.
My bunk mates during the war were Billy Coomer [dead] and Charles Coomer, P.O, Gradyville, Ky. I do not recall any other bunk mates. I was cook for the Captain, Logan Strange, P.O. Burksville, Ky, and our sergt. was Peter Releford, P.O. unknown.”
“On this 14th day of December, 1898 at near Gradyville, County of Adair, State of Kentucky, before me, R. J. Austin, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Mary F. Moore who being my me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension deposes and says:
I am 54 years of age, my post-office is as above, occupation, housekeeper. I am the wife of Nathan J. Moore, a farmer. I am a daughter of Jonathan Gowen. I lived with my father till my marriage in 1866. I was 13 or 14 yrs. old when we came from NC to Ky. It was three or four years after he came to Kentucky until he enlisted. If there was any thing the matter with him before his enlistment, I don’t know about it. If we had any thing the matter with his legs, I know nothing about it. He had no sickness before his enlistment. He was at home sick during the war, that is during his service. He was home on furlough. He had the yaller jaundice and like to have died. If his legs were sore at any time while he was in the service, I don’t know it. I recollect that his legs were swelled shortly after he came out of the service, can’t say how long. I don’t think it was as much as a year after he came out of the service until his legs swelled. Oh, yes, I saw his legs at that time, and they were swelled, both legs. It seems like he was bloated while he was sick during the war. I think it was some time after he came from the war until he had sores on his legs—about a year or maybe less.
If he ever got his legs or either of them hurt before or since the war, I never heard it. If he was hurt while plowing, I know nothing about it. I recollect that he put up a chimney for Mr. James Compton, but if he hurt his leg by dropping a stone on it or in any other way, I never heard of it.
If he had any trouble with John Wauf, I know nothing about it. His legs have been sore ever since they first became sore. His health was not good when he came out of the war. He has had some sickness during the last few years, but his legs became sore to my knowledge shortly after the war.
When my father was at home sick during the war, he did no work at all and wasn’t able. We thought for a good while that he would die. My mother [dead] and brother Jack and I made the crop. He was yellow when sick and complained of his stomach, head and back.
I am a daughter. I have no pecuniary interest. I hear this read, and it is correct.
Mary F. [X] Moore
Attest:
S. A. Hatfiel
John N. Moore”
deponent before signing.
R. J. Austin
Special Examiner”
Deposition, Case of Jonathan Gowen, No. 324757
On this 13th day of December, 1898 at near Gradyville, County of Adair, State of Kentucky, before me, R. J. Austin, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared A. J. Gowen, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:
I am 47 years of age, my post-office is Gradyville, Ky, occupation, farmer and merchant. I am a son of the pensioner, Jonathan Gowen. My father moved from N.C. when I was eight years of age and settled near here. I was born February 2, 1851.
I have always been with my father or near him. I remember very well when he enlisted in the war. I was at home at the time. His health was as good as the ordinary man. He never was a very robust man. No, he never had any spells of sickness prior to his enlistment that I recollect about.
He came home during the war with a spell of ‘Yaller Jaunders’ and was awful bad, and we thought he would die. He was awful yellow when he came home. He came home on sick furlough and was there probably several months, don’t recollect exactly.
Question: Was there any thing the matter with his legs before he enlisted in the war?
Answer: No, if there ever was, I have no recollection of it. I worked with him daily from early boyhood till he went into the service and often saw his bare legs and know there was nothing the matter with his legs until he enlisted. My father had something like dropsy or something like that in the spring after he came out of the service.
I can’t say how he was affected, don’t know whether his legs swelled or not, but think they were. The first spring after he was discharged he and I were working together in the field. My father was plowing. He stopped and called to me that he had hurt his leg. I went to him and found that a cornstalk had knocked a little bit of skin off his shin, the left shin, I think, and it was bleeding. It did not seem to amount to much, and after wrapping it up with something, he went on with his work. His leg never healed up after that, and after a while, the other leg got sore.
This is the first I knew of my father having a sore on his leg, but he had complained of not being well from the time of his discharge, and I think his had been swelled from the time he came home more or less. I think both legs are affected about alike now. My father has only worn shoes on his feet with the exception one pair of fine boots all his life. He made his own shoes. He never fancied boots, but there was no reason for him not wearing boots before the war.
I remember that John Wauf struck my father on the head with a stick or something, but did not hit him on the leg. I know this took place after the war. My father was not hurt. Wauf was drinking at the time. The above is all the injury my father rec’d after the war except he would sometimes accidentally knock the scab off the sore on his legs.
I hear you read this. I have understood your questions, and my answers are correctly recorded. My father did not make a crop while at home on furlough. He did not work a lick. He was not able to work any. My mother and I made the crop. This is correct.
A. J. Gowen, Deponent”
Deposition: Case of Jonathan Gowen, No. 324757
“On this 16th day of December, 1898 at Gradyville, County of Adair, State of Kentucky, before me, R. J. Austin, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared W. M. Coomer, who being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:
I am 59 years of age, my post-office address is as above, occupation, a farmer. I served in Co. E, 3rd Ky, Inf. from August 1861 till October 1864.
I got acquainted with Jonathan Gowen about 1858 or 1859, at any rate, it was when he came here from N.C. We lived about one mile & a half apart, and I saw him often up till I enlisted and visited at his house and courted his daughter.
He was a good fiddler and a good dancer at that time, and while I never examined his legs, I don’t believe there was a thing the matter with his leg or legs or I would know something about it. I did not see him from my enlistment till his discharge. We then lived about the same distance apart. We never worked together, but I have seen him at work in the field many a time.
The first I ever heard of his having any thing the matter with his legs was several years after his discharge when I heard Dr. J. G. Taylor [dead] say that Jonathan Gowen had something the matter with his legs and that he [Taylor] had made him an affidavit to that effect. I never heard that Jonathan Gowen hurt his leg or legs before or since the war. I reckon that Jonathan Gowen and John Wauf had a difficulty shortly after the war. I did not see the difficulty, but John Wauf came by my house the next day and stopped and told us about it. He said he hit him on the head with a piece of fence rail. No he did not say he hit him on the leg. That took place shortly after the war. I knew this from the fact that it was after I married, and I did not marry until the 18th of November 1866.
I never heard that he got his leg hurt while building a chimney for James Compton or anyone else.
I am not related to Jonathan Gowen nor have I any interest in the case. I have understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded herein.
W. M. [X] Coomer
Attest:
S. A. Hurfur
On June 10, 1880 the household of Jonathan Henry Gowen appeared in Adair County at Gradyville, Kentucky, Civil District 5, Enumeration District 4, page 19:
Gowen, Jonathan 55, born in VA, father born in
[blank], mother born in NC,
farmer
Hannah 53, born in VA, father born in VA,
mother born in VA, wife
Elizabeth 21, born in KY, father born in VA,
mother born in VA, daughter
Nancy M. 17, born in KY, father born in VA,
mother born in VA, daughter
Cornelius 15, born in KY, father born in VA,
mother born in VA, son, farmer
Emley 9, born in KY, father born in VA
mother born in VA, daughter"
A. T. Wood, United States Pension Agent of Louisville, Kentucky reported January 22, 1906 that Jonathan Henry Gowen “who was last paid at $24 to May 4, 1905 has been dropped because of death in July 1905.”
According to the family bible owned in 1972 by Martha Ann Gowen McGrath, a descendant of Louisville, Kentucky, children born to them include:
Mary Frances Gowen born Jan. 23, 1848 [1844?]
Sarah Jane Gowen born May 4, 1849
John Gowen born in 1850
Andrew Jackson Gowen born February 2, 1851
Fanny Gowen born February 2, 1853
Thomas Jefferson Gowen born June 12, 1855
Henry Clay Gowen born June 12, 1855
Susan Elizabeth Gowen born in 1858
Jonathan Frederick Gowen born January 10, 1859
Nancy M. Gowen born April 20, 1962
Martha Alice Gowen born in 1864
Cornelius C. Gowen born February 14, 1867
Emily Gowen born in April 1870
Mary Frances Gowen, daughter of Jonathan Henry Gowen and Hannah J. Beasley Gowen, was born January 23, 1848 in Stokes County, according to the family bible. She appeared as a 15-year-old in the 1860 enumeration of her father's household in Adair County. She was married there about 1866 to John N. Moore.
Children born to them include:
Willie Lee Moore born about 1868
John Wess Moore born about 1870
Warren Moore born about 1872
Polly Ann Moore born about 1874
Charlie Best Moore born about 1875
Andrew Moore born about 1877
Luther Thomas Moore born about 1879
Clay Moore born about 1882
Willie Lee Moore, child of John N. Moore and Mary Frances Gowen Moore, was born about 1868.
John Wess Moore, son of John N. Moore and Mary Frances Gowen Moore, was born about 1870. He was married about 1893 to Eva Coomer.
Warren Moore, son of John N. Moore and Mary Frances Gowen Moore, was born about 1872. He was married about 1895 to Delie Sneed, according to Clara Jean Grider. Later he was remarried, wife's name Mary. He was married a third time to Emma Tucker.
Polly Ann Moore, daughter of John N. Moore and Mary Frances Gowen Moore, was born about 1874. She was married about 1889 to Randal Cole.
Children born to them include:
Walter Cole born December 29, 1890
Felix Cole born about 1894
Lawrence Cole born about 1898
Allen Cole born September 16, 1906
Nellie Cole born June 3, 1913
Opal Cole [twin] born February 3, 1920
Bea Cole [twin] born February 3, 1920
Walter Cole, son of Randal Cole and Polly Ann Moore Cole, was born December 29, 1890. He was married about 1913, wife's name Aurora. She was born in 1893. She died in 1970, and he died August 21, 1974.
Felix Cole, son of Randal Cole and Polly Ann Moore Cole , was born about 1894.
Lawrence Cole, son of Randal Cole and Polly Ann Moore Cole, was born about 1898.
Allen Cole, son of Randal Cole and Polly Ann Moore Cole, was born September 16, 1906, according to Clara Jean Grider. He was married about 1929, wife's name Hallie. He died July 23, 1975.
Nellie Cole, daughter of Randal Cole and Polly Ann Moore Cole, was born June 3, 1913.
Opal Cole, twin daughter of Randal Cole and Polly Ann Moore Cole, was born February 3, 1920.
Bea Cole, twin daughter of Randal Cole and Polly Ann Moore Cole, was born February 3, 1920. She is believed to have been married about 1937, husband's name Taylor.
Charlie Best Moore, son of John N. Moore and Mary Frances Gowen Moore, was born about 1875. He was married about 1898 to Sally Coomer.
Andrew Moore, son of John N. Moore and Mary Frances Gowen Moore, was born about 1877. He was married about 1900 to Carrie Compton.
Luther Thomas Moore, son of John N. Moore and Mary Frances Gowen Moore, was born about 1879. He did not marry.
Clay Moore, son of John N. Moore and Mary Frances Gowen Moore, was born about 1882. He was married about 1905 to Edna Wilcox.
Sarah Jane Gowen, daughter of Jonathan Henry Gowen and Hannah J. Beasley Gowen, was born May 5, 1849 in Stokes County. She appeared as 13-year-old in the 1860 census of Adair County. She was married January 5, 1868 to Henry C. Pike, according to Adair County marriage records. They removed to Missouri shortly afterward, according to Clara Jean Grider.
A son was born to them:
Ulysses Pike, Jr. born about 1869
John Gowen, son of Jonathan Henry Gowen and Hannah J. Beasley Gowen, was born in 1849 in Stokes County. He appeared in the 1860 census of Adair County as an 11-year-old, but did not reappear in the 1870 and 1880 enumerations. He was married in 1877 to Harriett Coomer, daughter of William R. Coomer and Delilah Coomer, according to Adair County Marriage Book 9, page 126. Harriett Coomer Gowen died, and he moved "out west," according to Clara Jean Grider. Children born to John Gowen and Harriett Coomer Gowen are unknown.
Andrew Jackson Gowen, son of Jonathan Henry Gowen and Hannah J. Beasley Gowen, was born February 2, 1851 in Stokes County. He was brought to Adair County, Kentucky in 1859 by his parents. He did not appear in his father's household in the 1860 census, but did appear as an 18-year-old farmer in the 1870 enumeration of Adair County. He was married October 28, 1873 to Nancy Adeline Rowe "at Preston B. Rowe's", according to Clara Jean Grider.
He appeared as the head of a household in the 1880 census of Adair County, Enumeration District 4, page 20, two households removed from that of his father:
"Gowen, Andy J. 28, born in NC, father born in VA,
mother born in VA, farm laborer
Nancy A. 25, born in KY, father born in KY,
mother born in KY, wife"
He operated a store and a sawmill in Adair County. He gave a deposition December 13, 1898 in support of his father’s pension application. He was 47 and living at Gradyville.
Andrew Jackson Gowen appeared in the 1903 city directory of Dallas, Texas as a driver for Henry T. Pollock Trunk Company and lived at 370 Williams, the address of his brother, Thomas Jefferson Gowen who was also employed by the same firm. In the 1904 city directory Andrew Jackson Gowen was listed as a salesman for L. B. Price Mercantile Company and was "boarding at 152 Motley."
It is believed that they returned to Adair County shortly afterward. He died at age 71 September 24, 1922, according to Jessie Gowen Thompson. His death was recorded in Kentucky Death Records, Vol. 39, Certificate No. 19148. They were buried in "the old Moss Cemetery," according to Clara Jean Grider. No children were born to Andrew Jackson Gowen and Nancy Adeline Roe Gowen, but they reared three children by the name of Taylor.
Fanny Gowen, daughter of Jonathan Henry Gowen and Hannah J. Beasley Gowen, was born February 2, 1853 in Stokes County. She appeared in her father's household in the 1870 census of Adair County as a nine-year-old. She was married on Christmas Day in 1869 to Meredith J. Harper who was born December 27, 1852. “Meredith J. Hopper” gave a deposition in 1883 in support of his father-in-law’s pension application. He died September 28, 1912, and she was remarried to Peter Compton. She died June 11, 1937 and was buried in the Moss Cemetery beside her first husband.
Children born to Meredith Harper and Fanny Gowen Harper include:
Nancy Margaret Harper born about 1870
William Riley Harper born in 1871
Joe Taylor Harper born about 1873
Laura Ann Harper born in 1875
Henry Martin Harper born about 1878
Claudius Harper born February 14, 1880
Bert Harper born about 1883
Nancy Margaret Harper, daughter of Meredith Harper and Fanny Gowen Harper, was born about 1870. She was married about 1878 to Clarence Coomer.
William Riley Harper, son of Meredith Harper and Fanny Gowen Harper, was born in 1871 in Adair County. He was married about 1894 to Cena Bloyd. They moved to Texas about 1896.
Children born to them include:
Otis Harper born in 1896
Waldo Harper born about 1897
Johnny Harper born in 1898
Fannie Harper born in 1900
Mary Harper born in 1902
Porter Harper born in 1906
Cena Harper born in 1908
William H. Harper born in 1910
Earl Harper born in 1914
Paul Harper born in 1915
William Riley Harper, Jr. born in 1918
Otis Harper, son of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1896. He died in Texas in 1910.
Waldo Harper, son of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born about 1897. He died when five days old.
Johnny Harper, son of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1898. Two sons and two daughters were born to him.
Fannie Harper, daughter of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1900. She was married about 1918, husband's name Sluder.
Children born to them include:
John Sluder born about 1920
Lounett Sluder born about 1924
Herman Sluder born about 1926
Ruth Sluder born about 1929
Wanda Sluder born about 1932
David Sluder born about 1936
Mary Harper, daughter of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1902. She was married about 1920, husband's name Kretzschman.
Children born to them include:
Claire Kretzschman born about 1922
Samuel Lee Kretzschman born about 1924
Daniel Kretzschman born about 1926
Bobby Ray Kretzschman born about 1929
Porter Harper, son of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1906. He died in 1981.
Children born to him include:
Johnny Harper born about 1930
Martha Harper born about 1932
Glendon Harper born about 1935
Kenneth Harper born about 1938
Cena Harper, daughter of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1908. She was married about 1926, husband's name Pierce. Later she was remarried, husband's name Durham.
Children born to her include:
George Pierce born about 1928
Katherine Pierce born about 1931
Clifford Pierce born about 1934
William H. Harper, son of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1910.
Children born to him include:
Benny Harper born about 1935
Lanier Harper born about 1937
William Douglas Harper born about 1941
Donald Keith Harper born about 1947
Earl Harper, son of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1914.
Children born to him include:
Earl Gene Harper born about 1940
Charles Harper born about 1942
Jerry Harper born about 1947
Paul Harper, son of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1915.
Children born to him include:
Betty Harper born about 1946
Leroy Harper born about 1950
William Riley Harper, Jr., son of William Riley Harper and Cena Boyd Harper, was born in 1918.
Children born to him include:
Sandra Kay Harper born about 1948
Joe Taylor Harper, son of Meredith Harper and Fanny Gowen Harper, was born about 1873. He was married about 1896 to Callie Wilcox.
Children born to them include:
Henry Harper born about 1898
Charlie Harper born about 1900
Connie Harper born about 1903
Mary Harper born about 1906
Flora Harper born about 1910
Laura Ann Harper, daughter of Meredith Harper and Fanny Gowen Harper, was born in 1875. She was married about 1896 to William Herbert Bennett, who was born in 1873. She died in 1951, and he died in 1961.
Children born to them include:
Lawrence Bennett born in 1898
Lawrence Bennett, son of William Herbert Bennett and Laura Ann Harper Bennett, was born in 1898. He was married about 1921 to Nellie Pearl Franklin who was born in 1900. He died in 1962, and she died in 1986.
Children born to them include:
Thomas Bennett born about 1923
Chlotile Bennett born about 1925
May Ola Bennett born about 1928
Opal Bennett born about 1932
Jean Bennett born about 1935
Laurence Bennett ` born about 1938
Murrell Bennett born about 1942
Gerald Bennett born about 1946
Henry Martin Harper, son of Meredith Harper and Fanny Gowen Harper, was born about 1878. He was married about 1900 to Mary Alice Kessler.
Children born to them include:
John Henry Harper born about 1902
Claudius Harpers, son of Meredith Harper and Fanny Gowen Harper, was born February 14, 1880. He was married about 1902 to Mary Barley. Later he was remarried to Rebecca Coomer who was born January 1, 1877 to Floyd Coomer and Rachel Roach Coomer. Rebecca Coomer Harper died in 1943 and was buried in Moss Cemetery.
Children born to them include:
Edward Harper born in 1903
Beulah Harper born in 1905
Willie Clarence Harper born in 1906
[child] born about 1907
Jessie Harper born June 1, 1909
Hallie Harper born in 1911
Jimmie Johnson Harper born in 1913
Donnie Harper born 1915
Callie Elizabeth Donna Harper born in 1917
Claudis Harper born in 1921
Claudia Harper born April 1, 1924
Lillian Harper born in 1927
Flora Bell Harper born Dec. 25, 1920
Bert Harper, son of Meredith Harper and Fanny Gowen Harper, was born about 1883. He was married about 1906 to Montra Yarberry.
Children born to them include:
Anna Harper born about 1908
Louis Harper born about 1910
Thelma Harper born about 1913
Alfred Harper born about 1916
J. D. Harper born about 1920
Bert Harper, Jr. born about 1924
Alfred Harper, son of Bert Harper and Montra Yarberry Harper, was born about 1916. He was killed at Pearl Harbor in 1941, leaving a widow and one son.
Thomas Jefferson Gowen, twin son of Jonathan Henry Gowen and Hannah J. Beasley Gowen, was born June 12, 1855 in Stokes County, North Carolina, according to the family bible. He appeared in his father's household in the 1860 census at Summersville, Kentucky as a five-year-old and again in the 1870 census as a 14-year-old farm laborer.
He was married in 1875 in McCracken County, Kentucky to Lucinda Margaret Floyd, daughter of James Floyd and Margaret Ann Bryant Floyd, according to Clara Jean Grider. She was born in Kentucky August 11, 1858, and both of her parents were born in Kentucky, according to Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler. However, in the census of 1880 Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen advised the enumerator that she and both of her parents were born in North Carolina.
Thomas Jefferson Gowen appeared as the head of a household adjacent to that of his twin brother in Green County, Enumeration District 56, page 3:
"Gowin, Thomas J. 23, born in KY, father born in KY,
mother born in KY [errors],
laborer
Elizabeth 22, born in NC, father born in NC,
mother born in NC
Mary 3, born in KY, father born in KY,
mother born in KY
John 6/12, born in KY, father born in KY,
mother born in KY, born in
January 1880"
After killing two men in an 1887 [1897?] dancehall shootout in Green County, Kentucky, Thomas Jefferson Gowen kissed his wife and children goodbye and lit out for St. Louis. The sheriff, meanwhile, was searching for his twin brother, Henry Clay Gowen who was originally suspected in the crime. In St. Louis the 31-year-old fugitive bought a ticket on the St. Louis, San Francisco & Texas Railway. At Frisco, Texas, he stepped off the train to an uncertain freedom, according to Jessie Morgan Gowen, his daughter-in-law.
Sarah B. Wheeler Welch, a descendant of Thomas Jefferson Gowen wrote February 12, 2001 that she questioned the date of the reported dance hall shooting. She stated that she possessed a letter written by Hannah J. Beasley Gowen written March 21, 1890 addressed to her son Thomas Jefferson Gowen in “Sumersville, Kentucky.”
The letter, postmarked April 1, 1890 at Greensburg, Kentucky read:
“Adair County
March the 21st 1890
Dear sun an dauter,
I seat myself one time more to drop you a few lines to let you no that we are not well. I am right pourley my self. Nobody knows how mutch I suffered an no body don’t care. I don’t think I will be in the way mutch longer. I hope this will find you all well an doing.
Cat Cumton an Role Cofey is married an it looky like we cant get a girl to stay with us more than 4 or 5 weeks at a time an I don’t know what we will do with out we brake up an live a bout with the children.
Lucinday, emily has a girl bornd the 29th of December. Me and your pap an Mr. Beson was aming to cum down thair the 2 day of January, but it was a raining that morning. I want to see you all awful bad, but I don’t know whether I every will see you all any more or not. If I live I want to cum down thair one time more before I die.
Lucinda, I will send that hair in this letter fears I wont get to cum.
Tommy, I think you might cum to see your poor old father and mother. If Lucinda an the children cant cum I want you to right and let us hear from you.
Mary Hopper died the other day an was buried at Maris Chapel. The house is burnt down. Thair is a heap of murders. Sun, a man got shot night before last at Gradyville. An one was shot over in Green the other week an a negro was shot at Gradyville at Christmas. Fouse Comton has got his pention, 6 hundred an 70. Emily call her baby Matty.
We had a bad storm through hear the other week. A heap of people lost thair meat. The Jints we cild Monday before Christmas we did not lose any as we no of. Nase lost 4 Joints. Every body I can hear of is going for the burley tobacco.
So I will close for this time. Right sure an don’t fail for I want to hear from you all. If I cant see you, [it] does me good to hear from you.
When this you see, think of poor me.
From Hannah Gowen to Tomas J. Gowen an family.”
Sarah B. Wheeler Welch also wrote, “I also have in my possession a letter from Margaret A. Floyd Gowen written to her daughter Lucinda Gowen dated March 30, 1884 from Monroe, Kentucky. In both letters, the parents of each, Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Lucinda Floyd Gowen, were urging them to come for a visit. They have heard that they were moving to Kansas and wanted to see them before they go and urged them ‘to suit yourselves closer to home.’”
The letter written by Margaret A. Floyd reads:
“Monroe, Kentucky
March 30, 1884
Mrs. Lucinda Goins & Family,
Dear Friends,
I seat my self to write you a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome letter which has just come to hand.
This leaves us all tolerable well, except my self. I have not been able to do a day’s work since I was at your house last March.
Well, you wrote in your letter that you were a going to Kansas and wanted us to come and see you before you went. I am not able to ride horse back, and the river is too deep to cross in a wagon. So I cannot come to see you, but I would like for you all to come and see me before you go.
I was sorry to hear that you were going so far away. You had better suit your selves closer by, but if you go, I want you to rite to me often and tell me how you are getting along, and tell little Mary to learn how to rite and write to her Grandma.
You said you wanted to see Betsy Ann. Well, Betsy is sick in bed. She has another son, it is two weeks old and her little Charley has been sick for a month or two. He has been like to die, but has made a start to get well the last we heard from him about a week ago.
Well, Tomy, I reckon you have heard Flourishing news from Kansas. I am sorry to think that you believe any such tales for the truth cannot be carried a half mile without being changed.
I will close for the present, hoping you will [write] soon and often to me. So, fare you well to you all.
From Margaret A. Floyd
Write often, to Lucinda Goins and Family.”
At Frisco, Thomas Jefferson Gowen got a job on a farm, stayed out of town and kept a low profile. Months later, when he thought it was safe, he got word to his older brother, Andrew Jackson Gowen of his whereabouts. He requested him to bring his wife, Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen and their three children to Frisco.
By 1903 they had removed 20 miles south to Dallas where both brothers were employed as "trunkmakers" by Henry Pollock Trunk Company, according to the city directory. Thomas Jefferson Gowen, a clerk, was boarding at 370 Williams, according to the 1903 Dallas city directory. Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen appeared as a grocer in the 1903 directory, living and working at 370 Williams. On June 3, 1903 he received a warranty deed from W. C. Ray for Lot 12, Block 1, Motley Addition, according to Dallas County Deed Book 303, page 146.
Andrew Jackson Gowen returned to Kentucky, but Thomas Jefferson Gowen remained in Dallas, opened a grocery in 1911 and became a successful merchant. He never went back to Kentucky, and many of his Gowen family had no inkling of his whereabouts.
In 1904 and 1905, he was listed in the city directory as a "trunkmaker" employed by Henry Pollock Trunk Company. In 1905 he lived at 317 San Jacinto. On October 9, 1905 he received a warranty deed from W. A. Hazlip for lot 12, Block 23, Caldwell Addition, according to Dallas County Deed Book 373, page 97. In the 1905, 1906 and 1907 directories she was listed as a seamstress employed by Rose Manufacturing Company and living at 210 South Fitzhugh. A release was given on this property September 19, 1907 as recorded in Dallas County Deed Book 411, page 287.
From 1906 through 1910 he was employed as a trunkmaker by Wilkins Trunk Manufacturing Company and lived at 210 South Fitzhugh during this period.
From 1911 through 1919 Thomas Jefferson Gowen appeared in the Dallas city directory as a grocer operating a business at 4900 Terry. He continued to live on Fitzhugh until 1915 and afterwards showed his address as 5909 Santa Fe Avenue. In 1919 he went into the poultry and produce business, operating a store at the same address as his residence.
Sarah B. Wheeler Welch wrote March 7, 2001 that she had in her possession a photograph of Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen taken in 1925 on their 50th wedding anniversary. Another photograph was taken on that date of them and their family in their store
He died November 26, 1935 at age 81, according to Texas BVS File 50703. His will, dated September 9, 1935, was probated December 17, 1935, and John Lemuel Gowen, 5907 Santa Fe Avenue, was named executor, according to Dallas County Probate File 14950. His estate, valued at $4,456 went to his widow. Included in the assets of the estate was a note from Edwin Wheeler and Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler for $2,000 and a note from M. Sherman Gumm and Mary Alice Gowen Gumm for $300. Fixtures and inventory in the grocery store at 5911 Santa Fe Avenue were valued at $300. Half interest in two trucks total $200, and cash in the bank totaled $1,030.
Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen died October 22, 1941 at age 83 years and 11 days, according to Dallas County Death Book 7, page 526. She had lived in Dallas County 38 years and was residing at 2011 Michigan Avenue at the time of her death attributed to acute meningitis and a fractured femur. She was buried in Restland Memorial Cemetery, according to Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler, informant.
Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen had written her will April 29, 1939 at age 80, and it was probated January 20, 1942, according to Dallas County Probate File 18869. Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler "of Allen, Texas" was named executrix. The will named legatees: daughters, Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler, Mary Alice Gowen Gumm and daughter-in-law Jessie Morgan Gowen to receive the estate valued at $10,000.
When Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler delayed in administering the estate, Jessie Morgan Gowen through Attorney William Timothy Whitehurst requested a court order demanding that Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler produce the will of Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen. The accounting of the estate showed a residence on Santa Fe Avenue valued at $5,000, a lot valued at $2,500, store fixtures valued at $20 and $20.18 in a bank account.
Children born to Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen include:
Mary Alice Gowen born October 31, 1878
John Lemuel Gowen born February 3, 1880
Pearl Elmore Gowen born December 29, 1881
Mary Alice Gowen, daughter of Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen, was born October 31, 1878 at Summersville, Kentucky. She was married to M. Sherman Gumm about 1900 in Dallas. She continued to live there in 1942.
John Lemuel Gowen, son of Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen, was born February 3, 1880 in Summersville.
In 1906 he appeared in the Dallas city directory as a clerk employed by Schoellkopf Saddlery Company and living in the residence of his father. In 1903 John Lemuel Gowen was listed as a farmer. It is believed that John Lemuel Gowen was married about 1905 to Viola Katherine Townsend who was born in Dallas in 1885. It is believed that several children were born to this union before Viola Katherine Townsend Gowen "ran away with a drummer," according to a story told by members of the family.
In 1907 and 1908 he continued with the saddlery company and lived at 210 South Fitzhugh, the home of his parents. In 1909 he was employed by J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company and boarded at 222 Garland. From 1910 through 1919 he was employed by Huey & Philp Hardware Company. In 1910 he lived at 118 Sim Avenue. From 1911 through 1916 he lived at 502 South Fitzhugh. In 1917 he showed his address at 5909 Santa Fe Avenue. He was also listed as a clerk for MKT Railway and lived at 5425 Santa Fe Avenue, according to the city directory. "John Gowen, carpenter" lived at 5125 Santa Fe Avenue, according to the 1919 city directory.
"Kate Gowan, widow of John Gowan" was a seamstress living at 152 Race Street, according to the 1909 Dallas city directory. In 1910, she was listed as an "operator, M. Tent & Awning Company.” In 1911 she was shown "boarding at Mrs. M. F. McMillon's," working as a seamstress at Dallas Tent & Awning Company and living at 4537 Santa Fe Avenue. Her address and employment remained the same in 1912, 1913 and 1914.
"Mrs. Kate Gowen" was listed in the Dallas city directory in the 1915, 1916 and 1917 editions. She was listed as a seamstress employed by Texas Tent & Awning Company and lived at 4537 Santa Fe Avenue. "Mrs. Viola K. Gowen" was married to A. J. Payne November 12, 1917, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 23, page 445.
"John L. Gowen" was married to Alburtie Champion January 8, 1909, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 5, page 297. They were the parents of a daughter, name unknown, born December 2, 1909, according to Dallas County Birth Book 6, page 97. Apparently the couple divorced because on September 26, 1910 "Alberta Gowan" received a warranty deed from "John L. Gowen." "Bertie Gowan" was married to Joll W. Jones June 28, 1916, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 286, page 628.
On January 22, 1912 John Lemuel Gowen "of Tom Green County, Texas" bought land there from Ed Wheeler and wife for $2,000, according to Tom Green County Deed Book 79, page 411.
"John L. Gowen" was married to Miss Blessie Willis May 19, 1912, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 14, page 141. It is believed that no children were born to John Lemuel Gowen and Blessie Willis Gowen. On December 4, 1912 John Lemuel Gowen received a sheriff's deed to Lot 9, Block B, Robertson Addition, according to Dallas County Deed Book 578, page 4.
On January 4, 1913 John Lemuel Gowen was married to Jessie Morgan, according to Collin County, Texas Marriage Book 16, page 618. She was born December 10, 1894 in Van Zandt County, Texas. Family members relate that while Jessie Morgan Gowen was preparing supper on their wedding night, John Lemuel Gowen instructed her to "set four more plates." Thus she learned for the first time that she was the "mother of four."
On August 14, 1913 John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen "of Dallas County" sold their land in Tom Green County back to Ed Wheeler and wife for $2,000, according to Tom Green County Deed Book 85, page 100.
John Lemuel Gowen in 1914 was a stenographer for Huey & Philp Hardware Company living in the home of his father at 502 South Fitzhugh Avenue, according to the Dallas city directory.
John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen had 19 real estate transactions recorded in Dallas County deed books between 1914 and 1935. Jessie Morgan Gowen appeared in the 1918 city directory as a clerk in the grocery store owned by her father-in-law and residing at 5909 Santa Fe Avenue.
John Lemuel Gowen wrote his will January 29, 1937. He died about two weeks later February 13, 1937, at age 57, according to Texas BVS File 7566. Jessie Morgan Gowen was named administrator. His estate consisted of 266.4 acres of land in Denton County, 15 miles east of Denton, Texas valued at $10,000; 38.8 acres of land in Dallas County valued at $2,500; 80 acres of land in Hunt County valued at $4,000 and Lot 12, Block 3, Bergfeld Place Addition, Dallas, valued at $2,000. Value of his estate was $8,432.38, according to Dallas County Probate File No. 15882.
Children born to John Lemuel Gowen and Viola Katherine Townsend Gowen include:
[daughter] born about 1901
Jack Lemuel Gowen born January 31, 1903
Children born to John Lemuel Gowen and Alburtie Champion Gowen include:
[daughter] born December 2, 1909
Children born to John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen include:
Thelma Gowen born December 3, 1913
Mary Catherine Gowen born July 17, 1915
Evelyn Gowen born June 14, 1918
John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. born October 20, 1919
Thomas Jefferson Gowen born May 13, 1926
Elsie Mae Gowen born November 8, 1928
Joan Gowen born August 8, 1931
William Timothy Gowen born December 17, 1933
It is believed a daughter, name unknown, was born to John Lemuel Gowen and Viola Katherine Townsend Gowen about 1901. Of this individual nothing more is known.
Jack Lemuel Gowens, believed to be a son of John Lemuel Gowen and Viola Katherine Townsend Gowen, was born January 31, 1903, according to Dallas County Birth Book 25, page 545. A corroborating birth certificate was filed in Dallas County Delayed Birth Book 6, page 371 February 2, 1942 by order of the Dallas County judge.
On November 5, 1923 Jack Lemuel Gowen was married to Mary Elizabeth Abernathy, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 37, page 141. On August 8, 1931 they gave a deed to National Standard Life Insurance Company to Lot 9, Block 2, Lovelace Addition, Dallas, according to Dallas County Deed Book 1705, page 628.
Jack Lemuel Gowen died December 13, 1967 in Dallas, and Mary Elizabeth Abernathy Gowen was named executrix by the terms of his will. He left his home at 6474 Royal Lane and $21,000 cash to his widow. Rosemary Gowen Payne and her husband Robert Benson Payne, witnessed the will. In the 1972 city directory of Dallas Mary Elizabeth Abernathy Gowen, "widow of Jack L. Gowen," was listed as a saleswoman for Flower-A-Day Shop and continued to live at 6474 Royal Lane. She remained there in 1979.
Children born to Jack Lemuel Gowen and Mary Elizabeth Abernathy Gowen include:
Rosemary Gowen born May 29, 1931
Rosemary Gowen, daughter of Jack Lemuel Gowen and Mary Elizabeth Abernathy Gowen, was born May 29, 1931, according to Texas BVS File 38540. She was married December 3, 1953 to Robert Benson Payne, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 123, page 187.
A daughter, name unknown, was born to John Lemuel Gowen and Albertie Champion Gowen, according to Dallas County Birth Book 6, page 97. Of this individual nothing more is known.
Thelma Gowen, daughter of John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen, was born December 3, 1913 in Dallas. She was married July 1, 1933 to Jefferson Brim Crow, Jr, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 55, page 31. Thelma Gowen Crow died July 14, 1985 at age 81, according to Lisa Marie Jones, Foundation member of Mesquite, Texas, in a letter written November 16, 1995.
Children born to Jefferson Brim Crow, Jr. and Thelma Gowen Crow include:
Jefferson Brim Crow III born about 1936
Mary Evelyn Crow born about 1939
Ruth Crow born about 1942
Judy Crow born about 1947
Charles Crow born about 1950
Mary Katherine Gowen, daughter of John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen, was born July 17, 1915 in Dallas, according to Texas BVS File 25959. She was married to William Henry Meadows of Ft. Worth, Texas April 17, 1937, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 63, page 125. She died in 1940.
Children born to them include:
Clifford Meadows born about 1939
Clifford Thomas Meadows, son of William Henry Meadows and Mary Katherine Gowen Meadows, was born about 1939 in Ft. Worth. He continued there in March 1972.
Evelyn Gowen, daughter of John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen, was born June 14, 1918 in Dallas. She was married April 5, 1938 to Homer H. Massey, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 65, page 367. He was killed in the crash of an U.S. Army Air Corps AT-6 trainer plane at Paris, Texas. Evelyn Gowen Massey was later remarried to John Rodegherio and in March 1972 lived in Big Spring, Texas.
One son, Homer H. Massey, Jr. was born to Homer H. Massey and Evelyn Gowen Massey in 1939. No children were born to John Rodegherio and Evelyn Gowen Massey Rodegherio.
John Lemuel Gowen, Jr, son of John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen, was born October 20, 1919 in Dallas. Apparently he was married about 1939, wife's name Addie Marie, and apparently they were divorced, but on March 26, 1941 John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. and Addie Marie Gowen were remarried by John T. Price, pastor, Presbyterian Church, Rockwall, Texas, according to Rockwall County Marriage Book 18, page 272. John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. was listed as a clerk for a drug corporation in the 1941 city directory of Dallas. Later the couple was divorced again, and Addie Marie Gowen on May 18, 1945 was remarried to Harvey N. Smith, according to Rockwall County Marriage Book 24, page 239.
John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. had been remarried April 23, 1945 to Miss Audrey Juanita Morrison who was born in Texas in 1924, according to Rockwall County Marriage Book 24, page 188.
In March 1972 he was vice-president of Southern Drugs and lived on Tripp Road, Garland, Texas, according to the telephone directory. In 1979 he continued to live there.
Children born to John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. and Addie Marie Gowen include:
Wylie Gene Gowen born August 2, 1941
Carol Ann Gowen born October 25, 1942
Children born to John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. and Audrey Juanita Morrison Gowen include:
John Lemuel Gowen III born February 11, 1949
Mary Catherine Gowen born about 1953
Karen Gowen born about 1955
Wylie Gene Gowen, believed to be the son of John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. and Addie Marie Gowen, was born August 2, 1941 in Dallas County. However Audrey Juanita Morrison Gowen stated in an affidavit dated August 5, 1958 that she was the mother of Wylie Gene Gowen, according to Dallas County Birth Book 64, page 483. In 1964 he was a freshman at East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas. His home address was shown as Route 2, Box 48, Mesquite, Texas. He was married February 15, 1966 to Dorothea Adams at Dallas. Children born to Wylie Gene Gowen and Dorothea Adams Gowen are unknown.
Carol Ann Gowen, daughter of John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. and Addie Marie Gowen, was born October 25, 1942 in Cooke County, Texas, according to Texas BVS File 100248. She was a student at East Texas State University in Commerce in 1964. Her home address was shown as Route 2, Mesquite, Texas. She was married August 19, 1969 to Melvin L. McFarling, according to Dallas County marriage records.
John Lemuel Gowen III, son of John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. and Audrey Juanita Morrison Gowen, was born February 11, 1949. He was married March 28, 1969 at Mesquite to Judy Kay Bradshaw who was born July 2, 1951, according to Kaufman County Marriage Book 27, page 327. Children born to John Lemuel Gowen III and Judy Kay Bradshaw Gowen are unknown.
Mary Catherine Gowen, daughter of John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. and Audrey Juanita Morrison Gowen, was born about 1953. Of this individual nothing more is known.
Karen Gowen, daughter of John Lemuel Gowen, Jr. and Audrey Juanita Morrison Gowen, was born about 1955. In 1972 she was listed in the Dallas city directory as office secretary of the American Cancer Society with residence in Mesquite.
Thomas Jefferson Gowen, son of John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen and namesake of his grandfather, was born May 13, 1926 at Dallas. He was married July 10, 1946 to Fernala Ann Shaffer, according to Rockwall County Marriage Book 26, page 565. In March 1972 they lived at 12209 Lake June Road, Mesquite.
Children born to Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Fernala Ann Shaffer Gowen include:
Barbara Aline Gowen born May 11, 1947
John Thomas Gowen born September 16, 1948
Thomas Jefferson Gowen, Jr. born about 1951
Gary Lynn Gowen born about 1952
Ricky Wayne Gowen born March 14, 1955
Barbara Aline Gowen, daughter of Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Fernala Ann Shaffer Gowen, was born May 11, 1947 in Dallas County, according to Texas BVS File 208080.
John Thomas Gowen, son of Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Fernala Ann Shaffer Gowen, was born September 16, 1948 in Dallas County, according to Texas BVS File 106934.
Thomas Jefferson Gowen, Jr, son of Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Fernala Ann Shaffer Gowen, was born in Dallas about 1951.
Gary Lynn Gowen, son of Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Fernala Ann Shaffer Gowen, was born about 1952 in Dallas County. He was married February 13, 1968 to Cecilia M. Simons, according to Dallas County marriage records. He was remarried to Debra Jeanette Qualls October 10, 1970, according to Hopkins County, Texas Marriage Book 22, page 368. Cecilia M. Simons Gowen was remarried December 17, 1971 to Harold G. Manire, according to Dallas County marriage records. Of Gary Lynn Gowen and Debra Jeanette Qualls Gowen nothing more is known.
Ricky Wayne Gowen, son of Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Fernala Ann Shaffer Gowen, was born March 14, 1955 in Dallas County, according to Texas BVS files.
Elsie Mae Gowen, daughter of John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen, was born November 8, 1928 in Dallas. On August 29, 1947 she was married to Dr. Roy Delbert Waggoner, according to Dallas County Marriage Book 99, page 56. The marriage certificate recorded her name as "Ester Mae Gowen." In 1972 they lived in Mesquite.
Children born to Dr. Roy Delbert Waggoner and Elsie Mae Gowen Waggoner include:
Barbara June Waggoner born about 1950
Lillie Ann Waggoner born about 1952
James Allen Waggoner born about 1955
Nancy Lou Waggoner born about 1958
Lisa Carol Waggoner born about 1961
Joan Gowen, daughter of John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen, was born August 8, 1931 in Dallas County, according to BVS File 64476. She was married about 1951 to Jeff Rickard. About 1965 she was remarried to Wayne Kemp. In March 1972 they made their home in Mesquite.
Children born to Jeff Rickard and Joan Gowen Rickard include:
Mary Jo Rickard born about 1952
Jeff Rickard, Jr. born about 1954
Shirl Ann Rickard born about 1955
David Rickard born about 1956
Jessie Annette Rickard born about 1958
Cinda Lou Rickard born about 1960
Roy Don Rickard born about 1962
William Timothy Gowen, son of John Lemuel Gowen and Jessie Morgan Gowen, was born December 17, 1933 in Dallas County, according to Texas BVS File 98667. He was named for his mother's attorney William Timothy Whitehurst, a Dallas attorney.
About 1954 he was married to Barbara G. Hager. They removed to Austin, Texas about 1959, and they received a deed from Wayne Burns Company September 18, 1969 to Lot 5, Block E, Greenwood Forest Addition, Austin, according to Travis County Deed Book 2096, page 475. In March 1972 the couple lived at 702 Philco, Austin where he was employed as an office equipment salesman.
Barbara G. Hager Gowen died November 29, 1972 at age 44 leaving a community estate of $24,000, according to Travis County Probate File 35385. She was living at 1702 Philco, Austin, at the time of her death. Her will was dated October 7, 1972 and was executed by William Timothy Gowen. During the probate, William Timothy Gowen showed his address at 1707 Jennings Street, Big Spring, Texas.
Mrs. Evelyn Rodeghiero, of Big Spring, was also an executor, and was named guardian of Barbara Hagar Gowen's children:
On January 26, 1973 William Timothy Gowen was married to Mrs. Billie Rhea Covert in Big Spring by a Veterans Administration Hospital chaplain, according to Howard County, Texas Marriage Book 18, page 89. William Timothy Gowen and Billie Rhea Covert Gowen gave a deed to his Austin home to Thomas Isom Harris October 15, 1973, according to Travis County Deed Book 4747, page 442.
Children born to William Timothy Gowen and Barbara G. Hager Gowen include:
Patricia Gail Gowen born January 25, 1955
William Timothy Gowen, Jr. born August 7, 1956
Mark Steven Gowen born May 22, 1958
Barbara Dee "Deedee" Gowen born July 4, 1960
Lemuel Clifton Gowen born November 21, 1961
Cara Lynn Gowen born April 11, 1964
Patricia Gail Gowen, daughter of William Timothy Gowen and Barbara G. Hager Gowen, was born January 25, 1955 in Dallas County, according to Texas BVS File 4400. She was married April 28, 1972 to Sean Lowry Rhodes at Austin, according to Travis County Marriage Book 99, page 96. They made their home there at 2204 Village Way.
William Timothy Gowen, Jr., son of William Timothy Gowen and Barbara G. Hager Gowen, was born August 7, 1956 in Dallas County, according to Texas BVS File 135943.
Mark Steven Gowen, son of William Timothy Gowen and Barbara G. Hager Gowen, was born May 22, 1958 in Dallas County, according to Texas BVS File 75866.
Barbara Dee "Deedee" Gowen, daughter of William Timothy Gowen and Barbara G. Hager Gowen, was born July 4, 1960 in Travis County, according to Texas BVS File No. 130324.
Lemuel Clifton [or James Clifton] Gowen, son of William Timothy Gowen and Barbara G. Hager Gowen, was born November 21, 1961 in Austin, according to Texas BVS File 130324.
Cara Lynn Gowen, daughter of William Timothy Gowen and Barbara G. Hager Gowen, was born April 1, 1964 in Austin.
Pearl Elmore Gowen, daughter of Thomas Jefferson Gowen and Lucinda Margaret Floyd Gowen, was born December 29, 1881 at Somerset, Kentucky. She moved with her parents to Denton County, Texas about 1900, and in 1903 was "boarding at 370 Williams Street," according to the Dallas city directory. She was married to Edwin Wheeler May 18, 1904, according to Dallas County Marriage Book W, page 601. He was born September, 27, 1874 in Garland, Texas. In 1941 they lived at Plano, Texas. They lived at Allen, Texas in 1942 when she was named executrix of her mother's will.
Edwin Wheeler died April 5, 1949 and was buried in Big Spring Cemetery near Richardson, Texas. Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler died December 29, 1969 and was buried beside her husband.
Children born to them include:
Rowena Travis Wheeler born April 1, 1905
John Edwin Wheeler [twin] born October 9, 1906
Pearl Wheeler [twin] born. October 9, 1906
Thomas Verdaman Wheeler born February 25, 1908
Robert Anthony Wheeler born about 1911
Mary Lou Wheeler born June 5, 1915
Rowena Travis Wheeler, daughter of Edwin Wheeler and Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler, was born April 1, 1905. She was married about 1923 to Harvey O. Lawless. No children were born to them. She died July 16, 1977.
John Edwin Wheeler, twin son of Edwin Wheeler and Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler, was born October 9, 1906. He was married about 1929 to Zella Mae "Billie" Nash He died July 17, 1971.
Children born to them include:
Gwendolyn Edene Wheeler born June 5, 1931
Gwendolyn Edene Wheeler, daughter of John Edwin Wheeler and Zella Mae "Billie" Nash Wheeler, was born June 5, 1931. She was married about 1950 to Arthur V. Doble.
Pearl “Little Pearl” Wheeler, twin daughter of Edwin Wheeler and Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler, was born October 9, 1906 and died 10 days later.
Thomas Verdaman “Bill” Wheeler, son of Edwin Wheeler and Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler, was born February 25, 1908.
He was married about 1931 to Ruby Huffhines. Later he was remarried to Mary Virginia Wells who was born March 5, 1914. He died April 13, 1988 and was buried in Big Spring Cemetery. Mary Virginia Wells Wheeler died November 30, 2000 and was buried in Frankford Cemetery, Addison, Texas.
Children born to them include:
Patsy Ann Wheeler born January 23, 1937
Sarah Beth Wheeler born September 12, 1939
Mary Linda Wheeler born July 26, 1941
John David Wheeler born July 25, 1945
Michael Wells Wheeler born December 12, 1949
Deborah Sue Wheeler born February 6, 1954.
Robert Anthony “Jack” Wheeler, son of Edwin Wheeler and Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler, was born about 1911. He was married about 1931 to Mary Susan Cagle. He died March 4, 1972 and was buried in Restland Cemetery.
Children born to them include:
Robert Dudley Wheeler born May 6, 1933
Travis Edwin Wheeler born August 28, 1935
Mary Lou Wheeler, daughter of Edwin Wheeler and Pearl Elmore Gowen Wheeler, was born June 5, 1911. She was married about 1937 to Lester Heller. They lived at 9822 Donegal Drive in Dallas, Texas where he died February 12, 2001.
Children born to them include:
Carleton William Heller born February 8, 1939
Arthur Eugene Heller born June 25, 1944
John Edward Heller born November 13, 1945
Leslie Jean Heller born December 9, 1947
Henry Clay Gowen, twin son of Jonathan Henry Gowen and Hannah J. Beasley Gowen, was born June 12, 1855, according to the family bible owned by Martha Gowen McGrath, a descendant of Louisville. His father reported to the 1850 census enumerator that Henry Clay Gowen was born in Stokes County, North Carolina. Willoth Albert Ethelbert Gowen, a son, wrote [erroneously?] in his father's obituary that Henry Clay Gowen was born in Charlotte, North Carolina.
He appeared as a five-year-old in the 1860 census of his father's household in Adair County. Willoth Albert Ethelbert Gowen wrote that the family "came to Kentucky and settled on Price's Creek when he was six years old." He appeared as a 14-year-old farm laborer June 22, 1870 in the federal census of Adair County.
Henry Clay Gowen was married December 22, 1877 to Martha Jane Patton. She was born in Adair County May 2, 1860 to Rev. Brutus Patton and Nancy Matilda Fair Patton.
Shortly after marriage Henry Clay Gowen removed to Green County, Kentucky where he was working as a laborer when the 1880 census was taken. His household was reported in Enumeration District 56, page 13, adjacent to that of his twin brother, Thomas Jefferson Gowen as:
"Gowin, Henry C. 24, born in NC, father born in NC,
mother born in NC, laborer
Martha 23, born in NC, father born in NC
mother born in NC
Robert 2, born in KY, father born in KY,
mother born in KY"
The enumerator erred in recording the birthplaces of the parents of Robert N. Gowen. In 1901 Henry Clay Gowen was a farmer in Green County. In 1906 Henry Clay Gowen entered the milling and lumber business under the trade style of H. C. Gowen & Son. He was a member of the Methodist Church for 50 years, the family having membership in the Ladies Chapel M.E.S. Church.
Martha Jane Patton Gowen died March 26, 1924. He was remarried in 1927 at age 70. Henry Clay Gowen died January 16, 1929 of bronchial pneumonia at his home near Donansburg, Kentucky and was buried beside his wife. It is reported that a monument was erected at his grave listing the names and birthdates of all of his brothers and sisters. Melissa Patton Moseley, sister of Martha Jane Patton Gowen, died in Green County November 10, 1893 and was buried in the Gowen family cemetery.
Martha Cecilia Gowen Herbert wrote February 25, 1987:
"I don't know how he relates, but I knew R. C. Rocaush 'Eunice' Gowen. My Dad used to take us to visit him when I was about 12 years old. He had a son named Finis Gowen and a daughter named Doris Gowen. Doris Gowen Beams now lives in Campbellsville, Kentucky. She has a photograph of Henry Clay Gowen and all his children."
Children born to Henry Clay Gowen and Martha Jane Patton Gowen include:
Robert N. Gowen born January 5, 1879
Samuel Marvin Gowen born Feb. 24, 1881
Jesse Lee Gowen born Dec. 11, 1882
Willoth Albert Ethelbert Gowen born August 25, 1884
Myrtie Bell Gowen born Dec. 11, 1886
Eunice Roe Cashious Gowen born August 27, 1892
Mary Frances Gowen born Nov. 7, 1894
Robert N. Gowen, son of Henry Clay Gowen and Martha Jane Patton Gowen, was born January 5, 1879 in Adair County. It is believed that he was married about 1900, wife's name unknown. He became a schoolteacher. He died April 18, 1901 and was buried in the Gowen family cemetery.
Samuel Marvin Gowen, son of Henry Clay Gowen and Martha Jane Patton Gowen, was born February 24, 1881 in Adair County. He was married about 1902 to Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter, daughter of William Calvin Carter and James Cornelia “Ma Jim” Buchanan Carter, according to Carol J. Coady. William Calvin Carter was born in 1854 in Adair County, Kentucky. He was married February 22, 1877 in Greensburg, Kentucky to James Cornelia Forbis who was born in August 1859 in Taylor County, Kentucky. She died December 23, 1941 in Springfield, Illinois.
Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter was born November 16, 1888 in Kentucky. “Amanda H. Carter, age 11, born in November 1888” was enumerated in the 1900 census in the household of her widowed mother.
In 1904 Samuel Marvin Gowen and Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen lived in Jefferson County. A grandson, Orville Cellen Gowen, wrote, "He was such a dark-skinned man with black hair and brown eyes. He exhibited Melungeon features.”
Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen died August 6, 1951 in Jefferson County. Samuel Marvin Gowen died September 14, 1954 in Green County.
Children born to them include:
James Robert Gowen born January 7, 1904
Alice Pauline Gowen born about 1905
Eunice Gowen born about 1906
Jesse Carl Gowen born June 13, 1907
William Ralph Gowen born in 1910
Mary Magdalene "Sug" Gowen born about 1915
Cornelia Ann Gowen born about 1919
Samuel L. Gowen born about 1923
James Robert Gowen, son of Samuel Marvin Gowen and Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen, was born January 7, 1904 in Jefferson County. He was married about 1925 to Martha Florence Carter. She was born November 12, 1903 to Oralander James Carter and Valera Ethel Atwell Carter.
In 1928 James Robert Gowen was a motorman for Louisville Railway Company and lived at 2013 Stuckey, according to the Louisville city directory. In 1970 the directory showed him as retired. He died January 6, 1971. At his death, he was living at 4115 Tuscarora Way, Louisville. He was buried in Green County.
His obituary was published in the January 8, 1971 edition of the “Central Kentucky News-Journal:”
Mr. James Robert "Bailey" Gowen, 66, son of the late Marvin and Amanda Carter Gowen, was born January 7, 1904 in Green County and died at 5:20 pm Wednes-day, January 6, 1971 at the Hazelwood Hospital in Louisville. He had made a profession of faith in Christ early in life and re-dedication last year. He had resided in Louisville for a number of years and was a retired barber. He united in marriage to Miss Florence Carter, who survives. To this union were born 2 sons and 2 daughters: Raymond Doyle Gowen, James Corley Gowen, Mrs. Janelle Hamilton all of Louisville; Mrs. Ruth Ann Campbell, Columbia. Also survived by 1 sister: Mrs. Pauline Jones, Louisville; 2 brothers: Josh Gowen, Buffalo and Carl Gowen, Cecelia; and 6 grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at 1 pm Friday, January 8, 1971 at the Cowherd and Parrott Funeral Home. Rev. J. H. Bloyd officiated with burial in the Neagle Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Joe Gowen, Melvin Berry, Ronnie Gowen, Shirley Carter and Bob-by Gowen.”
Martha Florence Carter Gowen continued to live at 4115 Tuscarora Way in 1972 when she was interviewed by Arlee Claud Gowen. She died there December 15, 1977.
Children born to James Robert Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen include:
Ormsby Eldridge Gowen born April 12, 1926
Raymond Doyle Gowen born October 15, 1929
James Corley Gowen born July 5, 1932
Loris Janell Gowen born September 19, 1935
Ruth Ann Gowen born February 25, 1939
Cornelia Gowen born about 1941
Samuel Gowen born about 1944
Ormsby Eldridge Gowen, son of James Robert Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born April 12, 1926 in Louisville. He lived only four days.
Raymond Doyle Gowen, son of James Robert Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born October 15, 1929 in Louisville. In 1987 and in 1992 he lived in Hudson, Kentucky. He was disabled at that time and lived alone.
He died March 10, 2001, according to his obituary in the “Greensburg Record-Herald.”
“Raymond Doyle Gowen, son of the late James Robert and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born October 15, 1929 in Green County and departed this life Satur-day, March 10, 2001 in the Hospice Care Unit in Lou-isville. He was 71 years, 4 months and 23 days of age. He had made a profession of faith in Christ. He is sur-vived by a daughter and son-in-law; Kim and Henry Brent Terry of Columbia; a son and daughter-in-law; Raymond and Gale Gowen of Louisville; a step-daughter and step-son-in-law; Donna Suzanne and Melton L. Trent of Brandenburg; four grandchildren: Brittany, Joshua and Sarah Terry, all of Columbia, and Christina Gowen of Louisville. He is also survived by two sisters: Ruth Ann Gowen Campbell of Columbia and Loris Janel Gowen Pruitt of Greensburg; one sis-ter-in-law; Martha Gowen of Louisville, and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by one brother: James Corley Gowen. The funeral services for Raymond Doyle Gowen were conducted Tuesday March 13 at the Cowherd & Parrott Funeral Home with burial in the Neagle Cemetery. Lyndell Petty officiated. Pallbearers were Michael Campbell, Douglas Campbell, Joseph Gowen, Steven Pruitt, Greg Gowen and Freddie Gowen.”
Children born to Raymond Doyle Gowen include:
Raymond E. Gowen born about 1952
Kimberly Kay Gowen born about 1955
Raymond E. Gowen, son of Raymond Doyle Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born about 1952. He was married about 1975, wife’s name Gale. In 2001 Raymond E. Gowen and Gale Gowen lived in Louisville.
Children born to them include:
Christina Gowen born about 1980
Kimberly Kay Gowen, daughter of Raymond Dale Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born about 1955. She was married about 1975 to Henry Brent Terry. In 2001 they lived in Columbia, Kentucky.
James Corley Gowen, son of James Robert Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born July 5, 1932. He died of cancer March 19, 1990.
Loris Janell Gowen, daughter of James Robert Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born September 19, 1935 in Green County. She was married about 1955, husband's name Pruitt. In 2001 she lived in Greensburg, Kentucky.
Ruth Ann Gowen, daughter of James Robert Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born February 25, 1939. in Green County. She was married about 1960, husband's Campbell. In 1971 and in 2001 she lived in Columbia, Kentucky.
Cornelia Gowen, daughter of James Robert Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born about 1941. She died before 1971.
Samuel Gowen, son of James Robert Gowen and Martha Florence Carter Gowen, was born about 1944. He died before 1971.
Alice Pauline Gowen, daughter of Samuel Marvin Gowen and Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen, was born about 1905. She became a nurse. She was married to Ross Jones about 1926, according to Martha Florence Carter Gowen.
Children born to them include:
Samuel Worth Jones born about 1928
Eunice Gowen, daughter of Samuel Marvin Gowen and Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen, was born about 1906. She was deceased prior to February 1972, according to Martha Florence Gowen.
Jesse Carl Gowen, son of Samuel Marvin Gowen and Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen, was born June 13, 1907. He was married in 1927 to Audrey Lee Wilkerson. She was born May 9, 1906 to James Henry Wilkerson and Mary Elizabeth Beard Wilkerson, according to Mary Caven Gowen. They were living in Louisville in 1948.
Jesse Carl Gowen died October 2, 1978 and was buried in Bethlehem Cemetery. Audrey Lee Wilkerson Gowen died May 22, 1981 and was buried beside her husband.
Her obituary appeared in “Obituaries of Green County, Kentucky” compiled by Eunice Montgomery Wright:
“Mrs. Audrey Wilkerson Gowen, 75, of Cecilia, Ken-tucky, died Friday [22 May 1981] at St. Anthony's Hospital in Louisville. She was a native of Green County and the widow of Jessie Carl Gowen. She is survived by one son, Joseph F. Gowen of Buffalo, Kentucky, two daughters, Mrs. Margie Gowen Noe of Brookport, Illinois, and Miss Deloris Gowen of Ceci-lia, one brother, Ulys Wilkerson of Indiana, one sister, Mrs. Mary Frances Wallace of Greensburg, Kentucky, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. The funeral was at the Brown Funeral Home in Elizabeth-town. Burial was in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cem-etery.”
Children born to Jesse Carl Gowen and Audrey Lee Wilkerson Gowen include:
Joseph Fredman Gowen born in 1928
Margie Marie Gowen born in 1929
Lenwood Buckner Gowen born in 1933
Mary Deloris Gowen born in 1935
Joseph Fredman Gowen, son of Jesse Carl Gowen and Audrey Lee Wilkerson Gowen, was born in 1928. In 1981 he was living in Buffalo, Kentucky.
Margie Marie Gowen, daughter of Jesse Carl Gowen and Audrey Lee Wilkerson Gowen, was born in 1929. She was married about 1947, husband’s name Noe. In 1981 Margie Marie Gowen Noe lived in Brookport, Illinois.
Lenwood Buckner Gowen, son of Jesse Carl Gowen and Audrey Lee Wilkerson Gowen, was born in 1933. He was not shown as a survivor in his mother’s obituary in 1981.
Mary Deloris Gowen, daughter of Jesse Carl Gowen and Audrey Lee Wilkerson Gowen, was born in 1935. She was a resident of Cecilia, Kentucky in 1981.
William Ralph "Josh" Gowen, son of Samuel Marvin Gowen and Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen, was born in 1910 in Green County, according to a son, William Ralph Gowen, Jr. He was married January 4, 1928 to Elsie Mae Jeffries, daughter of Isaac Newton Jeffries and Hattie Judd Jeffries of Illinois. Isaac Newton Jeffries was born November 17, 1888 in Green County and died in March 1974. William Ralph Gowen, Jr. and Bobby Gene Gowen, his grandsons, were pallbearers at his funeral.
They farmed in Green County until 1945 when he moved to Larue County, Kentucky and began working at Ft. Knox as an electrician. He purchased a farm and continued farming as a sideline. In 1948 he was living at Hodgenville, Kentucky. He became known as an expert in making sorghum molasses. "W. R. Gowen" was a resident of Buffalo, Kentucky in 1972, according to the telephone directory.
Children born to William Ralph "Josh" Gowen and Elsie Mae Jeffries Gowen include:
Orville Cellan Gowen born December 7, 1928
Bobby Gene Gowen born December 27, 1932
Geraldine Virginia Gowen born January 16, 1934
Mae Prentice Gowen born April 8, 1941
Gloria Faye Gowen born March 14, 1943
Mary Ann Gowen born August 16, 1947
Ronnie Dale Gowen born August 16, 1949
William Ralph Gowen, Jr. born January 16, 1952
Orville Cellan Gowen, son of William Ralph Gowen "Josh" Gowen and Elsie Mae Jeffries Gowen, was born December 7, 1928 in Green County. He was married to Nora Lee Brown July 2, 1948. He became a plumber, and in 1993, they lived in Buffalo and received their mail at Hodgenville, Kentucky. He was a pallbearer at the funeral of his grandmother, Hattie Judd Jeffries.
Children born to Orville Cellan Gowen and Nora Lee Brown Gowen include:
Connie Jo Gowen born February 27, 1950
Eddie Joe Gowen born December 19, 1952
Kathie Ann Gowen born January 7, 1954
Orville Cellan Gowen, Jr. born April 25, 1956
Belinda Sue Gowen born July 26, 1959
Sandra Kaye "Sandy" Gowen born October 6, 1962
Bobby Gene Gowen, son of William Ralph Gowen "Josh" Gowen and Elsie Mae Jeffries Gowen, was born December 27, 1932 in Green County. He was married about 1955 to Avis Morgan. Later he was remarried to Estelle Underwood. In 1991 he was employed by General Electric Company and lived in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Children born to Bobby Gene Gowen and Avis Morgan Gowen include:
Ralph Wade Gowen born about 1957
Evonna Gail Gowen born about 1960
Children born to Bobby Gene Gowen and Estelle Underwood Gowen include:
Gregory Gene Gowen born about 1964
Gary Wayne Gowen born about 1967
Geraldine Virginia Gowen, daughter of William Ralph Gowen "Josh" Gowen and Elsie Mae Jeffries Gowen, was born January 16, 1934 in Green County. She was married January 22, 1949 to Clifford Eugene Aubrey of the U.S. Navy and lived in San Diego. In 1990, they lived in Larue County.
Children born to them include:
Deborah Joyce Aubrey born about 1951
Patricia Diane Aubrey born about 1953
Eugene Gail Aubrey born about 1955
Clifford Eugene Aubrey, Jr. born about 1958
Terry Wade Aubrey born about 1962
Mae Prentice Gowen, daughter of William Ralph Gowen "Josh" Gowen and Elsie Mae Jeffries Gowen, was born in Green County April 8, 1941. She was married about 1970 to Gerald Franklin Puckett. She was remarried to Kenneth Long of Evansville, Indiana. In 1991, they lived in Lake City, Florida.
Children born to Gerald Franklin Puckett and Mae Prentice Gowen Puckett include:
Gerald Dewayne Puckett born about 1973
Jeffery Todd Puckett born about 1976
Gloria Faye Gowen, daughter of William Ralph Gowen "Josh" Gowen and Elsie Mae Jeffries Gowen, was born March 14, 1943 in Green County. She was married about 1954 to Bobby Donald Amos of Hart County, Kentucky. Later she was married to Gary Bradley of Pine Mountain, Georgia. A third marriage was to Dewey Stillwell in Larue County where they lived in 1991. "Dewey Stillwell is the hardest working man I ever knew," reported his brother-in-law, William Ralph "Bugg" Gowen, Jr.
Children born to Bobby Donald Amos and Gloria Faye Gowen Amos include:
Cheryl Lynn Amos born about 1956
Kimberly Dawn Amos born about 1958
Children born to Gary Bradley and Gloria Fay Gowen Amos Bradley include:
Melissa Rene Bradley born about 1963
Faith Ann Bradley born about 1966
Mary Ann Gowen, daughter of William Ralph Gowen "Josh" Gowen and Elsie Mae Jeffries Gowen, was born August 16, 1947 in Green County. She was married to Wayne Thomas Meredith September 26, 1961 in Larue County. They removed to Lake City, Florida where he owned a landscaping company in 1991.
Ronnie Dale Gowen, son of William Ralph Gowen "Josh" Gowen and Elsie Mae Jeffries Gowen, was born August 16, 1949 in Green County. He was married November 13, 1962 to Margaret Lee Taylor. In 1991 they lived in New Haven, Kentucky where he was superintendent of Ni-Gas Company. He was a pallbearer at the funeral of his grandmother, Hattie Judd Jeffries.
Children born to Ronnie Dale Gowen and Margaret Lee Taylor Gowen include:
Angela Gail Caffee Gowen born about 1965
William Ralph "Bugg" Gowen, Jr, son of William Ralph Gowen "Josh" Gowen and Elsie Mae Jeffries Gowen, was born January 16, 1952 in Larue County. He was married July 18, 1975 to Julie Kathleen Chelf. They were divorced on their sixth anniversary in 1981. In May 1990 William Ralph "Bugg" Gowen, Jr. was in prison in LaGrange, Kentucky where he developed an interest in genealogy. On May 26, 1990 he wrote:
"I'm doing my research from prison, but my family has been very helpful. Here I'm known as 'Bugg.'
'Bugg' was born in 1952 in Larue County, Kentucky--the baby of the family and also the blacksheep. 'Bugg' was capable of doing anything he set his mind to. He wasn't afraid of work--he could lay down beside it and watch it all day. To 'Bugg' there was always an easier way of doing things. I suppose being the age of eight and having to go to the fields with his father and plow all day might have had something to do with his nature.
'Bugg' was married in 1975 to Julie, and to them two children were born. After six years of marriage, they were divorced. Julie managed to have her own business, and 'Bugg,' well he still thought money grew on trees. In 1984 'Bugg' was arrested for growing marijuana. He was sent to prison for three months. After his release, since marijuana was Kentucky's No. 1 cash crop, he went back to his old habit of growing reefer.
He was busted in 1986 for the same crime of cultivation and did two years at the Kentucky State Reformatory in LaGrange. After he was paroled, he skipped out on the state and moved to Florida. There he was stopped on a traffic violation and found to be on the run. You guessed it, still doing time at LaGrange.
He makes parole again in 1992, and this time, believe me, without a 'green thumb!' You don't have to print my story, but you can if you want to." W. R. 'Bugg' Gowen, No. 91548, P.O. Box 6, LaGrange, KY, 91548.
Mary Magdalene "Sug" Gowen, daughter of Samuel Marvin Gowen and Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen was born about 1915. She was killed in an automobile accident, March 17, 1948, according to Martha Florence Gowen.
Her obituary appeared in “Obituaries of Green County, Kentucky,” Vol. 6, compiled by Eunice Montgomery Wright:
“Mrs. Mary M. Beard, 33, Texhoma Camp No. 22, died Wednesday March 17, 1948 in the North Plains Hospital as the result of injuries sustained in an auto-mobile accident the previous Sunday. Cause of death was given as internal injuries, crushed ribs, and a brok-en pelvic bond. Mrs. Beard was riding in a car driven by her husband, Ed P. Beard, when there was a head-on collision with the automobile driven by Harley Ayler, Gulf Camp, who has been charged with driving while intoxicated.
Two sons, Eddie Joe, 12 and Leonard Leon, 5, received cuts on the head, and Beard was bruised across the chest. A third son, George Dale, 10, was not injured. Besides her husband and sons, Mrs. Beard is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Gowen Greensburg, a sister, Mrs. Pauline Jones, Shively and 3 brothers, Jr. and Carl Gowen, both of Louisville and William Ralph Gowen, Hodgenville. Mrs. Jones and Carl Gowen at-tended the funeral services which were held March 20 in the chapel of the Minton funeral home.
Interment was in Highland Park Cemetery. Pallbearers were J.G. Bohart, G.W. Biggs, L.W. Metcalf, H.E. Jacobson, E.L. Sylor and W.D. Swann.”
Children born to Ed P. Beard and Mary Magdalene "Sug" Gowen Beard include:
Eddie Joe Beard born about 1936
George Dale Beard born about 1938
Leonard Leon born about 1943
Cornelia Ann Gowen, daughter of Samuel Marvin Gowen and Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen, was born about 1919. She died in infancy.
Samuel L. Gowen, son of Samuel Marvin Gowen and Amanda Harrison “Annie” Carter Gowen, was born about 1923. He died in infancy.
Jesse Lee Gowen, son of Henry Clay Gowen and Martha Jane Patton Gowen, was born December 11, 1882 in Adair County. He was married November 25, 1905 to Mattie Frances Stearman who was born January 31, 1888 in Green County.
Her brother, Foster Ray Stearman died July 27, 1976 and his obituary appeared in the “Greensburg Record-Herald:”
“Foster Ray Stearman, son of the late Asa Chaney Thomas Stearman and Laura Ann Stearman, was born 1 Jun 1895 in Taylor County, Kentucky and departed this life Jul 27, 1976. He was 81 years, 1 month, and 26 days of age. He had made a profession of faith in Christ and was a member of the Summersville Baptist Church at the time of his death. He was united in marriage to Elsie Myrtle Marcum in 1917, and she preceded him in death in 1945. To this union were born 8 sons and 1 daughter. Surviving are Leonard Stearman, James Stearman, and Russell Stearman, all of Greensburg, Kentucky; William Stearman, Danville, Kentucky; Eudell Stearman and David Stearman, both of Hodgenville, Kentucky; Lee Stearman, Munford-ville, Kentucky; Mrs. Rachel Conrad, Irvine, Kentucky. One son, Theodore Ray Stearman, preceded his father in death. Mr. Stearman was united in marriage on August 20, 1947 to Katherine Ash Dobson, who sur-vives. Also surviving are two sisters: Mrs. Mattie Gowen, Yuma, Colorado and Mrs. Ida Henderson, Campbellsville, Kentucky. Seventeen grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren survive along with a host of other relatives and friends. The remains were at the Cowherd and Parrott Funeral Home until time of funeral services at 2:00 pm at the Summersville Baptist church with burial in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Rev. D.L. Druien officiated with Rev. Jerry Parker assisting.”
Mattie Frances Stearman Gowen, an 87-year-old widow, residing in Yuma, Colorado when contacted in February 1973 advised that she and her husband "came west in 1913. They settled near Yuma where Jesse Lee Gowen was a farmer until his death August 19, 1937. Mattie Frances Stearman Gowen died January 23, 1991.
Children born to Jesse Lee Gowen and Mattie Frances Stearman Gowen include:
Henry Thomas Gowen born October 4, 1906
Iva Lee Gowen born August 3, 1910
Mary Magelene Gowen born January 19, 1914
Laura Ruth Gowen born December 27, 1918
Carl Vernon Gowen born August 26, 1922
James Wilburn Gowen born July 17, 1924
Henry Thomas Gowen, son of Jesse Lee Gowen and Mattie Frances Stearman Gowen, was born October 4, 1906 in Green County. At the age of seven he was brought to Yuma by his parents. He was married October 16, 1929 to Bertha Moran who was born in 1908. They were divorced in October 1951. Bertha Moran Gowen lived in Denver in 1971. Henry Thomas Gowen was remarried about 1954, wife's name Dorothy Mae. Dorothy Mae Gowen died June 26, 1968. He was married for the third time March 22, 1969 to Gladys Luther. Gladys Luther Gowen was born November 12, 1905.
In his early years Henry Thomas Gowen was a farmer. In 1965 was custodian of the Continental Oil Company building in Denver and lived at 75 East Diff Avenue, according to the city directory. He was married March 22, 1969 to Gladys Luther. In 1973 he was retired and residing at 3635 Newland in Denver. They continued there in 1976. He lived in Wheatland, Colorado in 1994.
Gladys Luther Gowen died April 17, 1994 at her home in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Her obituary appeared in the April 25 edition of the “Rocky Mountain News:”
“Gladys L. Gowen, 88, of Wheat Ridge died April 17 at home. No services were held. The body was cre-mated. Mrs. Gowen was born Nov. 12, 1905, in Cleve-land. She was married to Henry Gowen March 22, 1969, in Denver. She was a retired accountant and bookkeeper and she had taught at Parks School of Business.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Ruth Ann Gowen Ayala of Long Island, NewYork; two stepsons, Donald Gowen of Loveland and Gerald Gowen of Gar-den Grove, California and a stepdaughter, Laura Gow-en Dellinger of Westminster.”
Children born to Henry Thomas Gowen and Bertha Moran Gowen include:
Donald Arthur Gowen born August 13, 1930
Laura Naoma Gowen born December 11, 1931
Gerald Lee Gowen born April 22, 1936
A daughter was adopted by Henry Thomas Gowen and Dorothy Mae Gowen:
Ruth Ann Gowen born April 2, 1961
Donald Arthur Gowen, son of Henry Thomas Gowen and Bertha Moran Gowen, was born August 13, 1930 at Yuma. He was married September 18, 1949 to Rose Marie Blackford who was born October 8, 1931 in Loveland, Colorado. Donald Arthur Gowen, a cable splicer for the telephone company and his wife lived 2000 Floral Drive in Boulder, Colorado, according to the 1964 city directory. In January 1976 he was employed by Mountain Bell Telephone Company and continued in Boulder at the same address. In 1992 and 1994 they lived in Loveland.
Children born to Donald Arthur Gowen and Rose Marie Blackford Gowen include:
Donna Rose Gowen born May 21, 1951
David Wayne Gowen born October 12, 1953
Donna Rose Gowen, daughter of Donald Arthur Gowen and Rose Marie Blackford Gowen, was born May 21, 1951 at Ft. Collins, Colorado. She was married March 6, 1971 to Gary Wayne Roerig who was born February 7, 1950. In 1973 she continued to live in Denver while he was serving an enlistment in the U.S. Navy. They were divorced in 1980, and she was remarried April 9, 1982 to Kenneth Gene Kent. They were divorced in 1988.
Three sons were born to them:
Bryan Scott Roerig born February 22, 1975
Andrew David Roerig born October 28, 1979
Thomas Warner Kent born November 22, 1982
David Wayne Gowen, son of Donald Arthur Gowen and Rose Marie Blackford Gowen, was born October 12, 1953 in Boulder. On April 30, 1972 he was killed in an automobile accident at age 18.
Laura Naoma Gowen, daughter of Henry Thomas Gowen and Bertha Moran Gowen, was born December 11, 1931 at Yuma. She was married April 21, 1956 to Alvin Dellinger who was born May 18, 1924. In March 1973 he was employed by Gates Rubber Company in Denver. In 1994 they lived in Westminster, Colorado.
Children born to them include:
Daniel Brent Dellinger born December 22, 1956
Greg Alan Dellinger born July 25, 1958
Mary Ardith Dellinger born August 28, 1960
Loren Glen Dellinger born April 3, 1964
Gerald Lee Gowen, son of Henry Thomas Gowen and Bertha Moran Gowen, was born April 22, 1936 at Yuma. He served in the U.S. Army. He was married February 18, 1961 to Margie Rodel. "Gerald L. Gowen, a stock clerk for Wonstop Automotive, and his wife "Margaret Gowen" lived at 1495 S. Utica, according to the 1965 city directory of Denver. They were divorced in 1972. In 1973 he was an automobile salesman in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and in 1976 was back in Denver. She and the children were living in Springer, New Mexico in 1976. In 1994 he lived in Garden Grove, Cali-fornia.
Children born to Gerald Lee Gowen and Margie Rodel Gowen include:
Leann Gowen born November 4, 1962
Mark Allen Gowen born July 21, 1966
Ruth Ann Gowen, adopted daughter of Henry Thomas Gowen and Dorothy Mae Gowen, was born April 2, 1961. In 1976 she continued to live in the home of her parents.
Iva Lee Gowen, daughter of Jesse Lee Gowen and Mattie Frances Stearman Gowen, was born August 3, 1910, probably in Green County. On April 21, 1931 she was married to George E. Sewell, a farmer. In April 1973 the couple was living at Yuma in retirement.