Philip Gowen was born in County Cork on 1 June 1826 and emigrated to America, arriving in Clinton, Henry County, Missouri in October 1878. It is possible that there is a link between him and the Ballyhindon Gowens.
In the Ballyhooly Church records there is a record of a Philip Gowen born in 1826, who subsequently 'disappears'. It is possible that he may have emigrated to the US and could be the man from Missouri.
If this is correct then he would have been a younger brother of the patriach of the Ballyhindon Gowens - John Gowen of Ballyhindon.
They arrive initially in New York State. The 1855 State Census for the Town of Boonville, First Election District Oneida County, New York shows two entries that possibly this couple (if 'Gone' is a mis-spelling of 'Gowen'):
- Gone, Philip
- Gone, Elizabeth
Philip is listed in the in 1860 and 1870 census as a shoemaker in Boonville, Oneida, NY. He is also listed in the Boonville Directory as "Groceries & Provisions, Main St." The family had 4 children, Mary, Catherine, John and James.
Their first child - one of two daughters - Mary Jane Gowen was born in Constableville, Lewis County, NY in November 1856 (one record shows Boonville 1857). Subsequently a further daughter Katie (Catherine) was born in 1859, followed by two sons: John in 1862 and James in 1866.
In 1878 Philip and Elizabeth and two sons, James and John moved to Clinton, Henry County, Missouri, where Philip is listed as a laborer in 1880 and a gardener in 1900. Why they moved there is not known.
In 1882, years after the move to Clinton, the couple sold two parcels of land in Boonville to John T. Phelan; this may have been an inheritance and the source of their income for the rest of their lives.
Philip died at home on March 7, 1901 (according to the obituary - aparantly no death certificate was required by Missouri at that time).
He died leaving a wife Elizabeth (nee Mullen/Mullin) and four children, according to "Annals of Henry County, Missouri" by Kathleen White Miles. At that time he owned the home in Clinton and had
money in the Salmon and Salmon Bank. He left cash to each child in 1901 and
Elizabeth lived there on her own income until 1921. That is significant cash on hand for just
a labourer, so he may have inherited some money or property.
He was "buried at Englewood, with his daughter, Sister Matilda [actually Mary] Florentine of Franciscan Sisters at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Utica, New York in attendance."
 |
| Front of headstone |
They lived on Lincoln St. or Ave. in Clinton, Henry County, Missouri. They had two daughters, Mary and Catherine and two sons, John and James.
Elizabeth's death certificate (as 'Gowan') dated 27 February 1921 gives her age as 89 years 3 months and 9 days, born in Ireland, maiden name Mullin. Her daughter Sr M Florentine of Utica, NY is the 'Informant'. Her address at this stage is 37/1(?) Clinton St, Clinton, Henry County. She is buried with her husband Philip in Englewood cemetery.
Children
 |
| Back of headstone |
 |
| Footstone |
Mary Jane
Their oldest child - one of two daughters - Mary Jane Gowen (born Constableville/Boonville Nov 1856) became a Franciscan Nun (sisters of St Frances) in Aug, 1878 and was renamed as Sister Mary Florintine. She was influential in the move of St. Elizabeth's Hospital from Columbia St.to present location. Sr. Florentine died aged 76 in 1933 at the St Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, NY. She had been a num for 52 years and had served at the hospital for 33 years (according to the Utica Observer Dispatch). The report also says that she was "surviving one niece Mrs Charles Miller" (see below), implying that she had out-lived not only her mother and father (she was present at both funerals) but also her sister and brothers. She was buried in St Joseph's Cemetery, Champlin Ave., Town of Whitestown (as 'Gowan, M. Florentine').
Their oldest child - one of two daughters - Mary Jane Gowen (born Constableville/Boonville Nov 1856) became a Franciscan Nun (sisters of St Frances) in Aug, 1878 and was renamed as Sister Mary Florintine. She was influential in the move of St. Elizabeth's Hospital from Columbia St.to present location. Sr. Florentine died aged 76 in 1933 at the St Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, NY. She had been a num for 52 years and had served at the hospital for 33 years (according to the Utica Observer Dispatch). The report also says that she was "surviving one niece Mrs Charles Miller" (see below), implying that she had out-lived not only her mother and father (she was present at both funerals) but also her sister and brothers. She was buried in St Joseph's Cemetery, Champlin Ave., Town of Whitestown (as 'Gowan, M. Florentine').
Catherine
Their second daughter Catherine married J. Wesley Frank, hotelman, in 1884. They had a daughter Mary Edna, born in New York in 1886 (she may have only used the name Edna).
Their second daughter Catherine married J. Wesley Frank, hotelman, in 1884. They had a daughter Mary Edna, born in New York in 1886 (she may have only used the name Edna).
The family seems to have stayed in contact. On July 11 1892, the Utica Daily Press reported: "Philip Gowan of Clinton county Missouri, formely of Boonville, is visiting his daughter Mrs J Wesley Frank."
Mr. Frank died March 24 1896. His obituary in the Utica Daily Union reads: "J Wesley Frank 41, died this morning at his home on Liberty Street. He was born in Frankfurt but moved to Trenton as a young boy. His living relatives are his wife and daughter Edna and two half brothers, Earl of Frankfurt and Arthur Frank of Trenton."
Catherine raised Mary Edna on Miller St. and then she purchased 1135 Howard St., property that stayed in the family for a long time.
Catherine attended her fathers funeral in March 1901; as reported by the Utica Sunday Journal:
"sister Florentine of St Elizabeth's Hospital, Miss Edna Frank and Mrs J Wesley Frank attended the funeral of Mrs Frank's father in Clinton Mo."
Catherine seems to have died before 1933 (as she is not mentioned as surviving at the time of Sr. Mary Florentine's death).
Mary Edna married Charles W. Miller and they had a son Charles, Jr. Charles Sr. died in 1927. In 1937 Mary Edna remarried to Henry E. Hoefler. She died Sep 6, 1961 age 75 in St Elizabeth Hospital (the hospital her sister had helped to establish and run) and was buried Mt Olivet Cemetery. Henry died January 17, 1962.
Charles W, Jr. served in WWII and married Clara Macomber. In May 1947 they lost an infant, Charles, at St Elizabeth hosipital, but had 2 more children, Gail E. Miller and Diane M Miller, who received her cap at Albany Medical School of Nursing in March 1972, according to the Utica Observer. In 1987 Charles and Clara were still at Howard St.
John and James
There are few records of Philip and Elizabeth's sons, John and James beyond the entry in the Henry County Missouri Probate Records showing:
- GOWAN, James - 1921
- GOWAN, John – 1921
The date matches Elizabeth’s death, meaning perhaps that the sons were still living and were beneficiaries of the will.
[Thanks to Brendan Gowen and Donna for additional details and photos]
No comments:
Post a Comment