THOMAS McGOWAN, superintendent of repairs of the Monongahela river backwater improvement, a position he has held forty-nine years, is a son of John and Margaret (McGill) McGowan, natives of County Down, Ireland. About the year 1831 they immigrated to America, settling on a farm in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., where the father followed milling and general farming. He took an active interest in the workings of the Whig party. They died several years ago, leaving children as follows: Martha, wife of Edward Kerr, of Foxburgh, Penn.; Thomas, whose name opens this sketch; Sarah Jane, living at Lock No.4; John, who died at Lock No. 4, some years ago, and Nancy E., widow of Alfred Van Horn, of Lock No. 4.
Thomas McGowan was born in 1826, in County Down, Ireland, coming to America with his parents when but a child. He was educated in the district schools of Fallowfield township, and in April, 1844, he began life as a laborer on the Monongahela river, since when he has mastered all the details of navigation. He was superintendent of Lock No. 4 and adjoining places for some time, being rapidly promoted from one position to another. For over thirty years he has been superintendent of repairs, which business calls him to all points between Pittsburgh and Geneva, Penn. On November 18, 1852, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of Abram Fry and granddaughter of Samuel Fry. The Fry family are numbered with the earliest and most prominent citizens of Washington county. The first of the name to settle in Pennsylvania was one Samuel Fry, who was born in 1749, in Virginia, and was there married to Christina Speers, also a native of Virginia, born in 1752. They came overland to Washington county, Penn., in a very early day, and July 19, 1792, took a "tomahawk right" for a large tract of land in Fallowfield township. He was a famous hunter, and also worked on his farm, remaining in the fort at night for protection from the Indians. He died in 1814, being followed by his wife November 9, 1841.
Abraham Fry, son of Samuel and Christina (Speers) Fry, was born in 1792, on the home farm in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn. He received a subscription-school education, and in early life was married to Isabella Ringland, a native of Washington county. She bore him eleven children, namely: Samuel, living in Allen township, Washington county; John, also living in Allen township; Christina (Mrs. Abraham Colvin), of Fallowfield township; Abraham, who entered the U. S. service in Washington county, and is now living near Nashville, Tenn.; Henry, a resident of Sumner county, Tenn., on the Cumberland river; Noah, who died in Fallowfield township; Sarah, wife of Thomas McGowan; Jackson, living in Cowley county, Kans. (he enlisted in the Civil war, was taken prisoner, and was confined in Andersonville prison eleven months); Clarissa, who married Alexander Alman, and died in East Pike Run township; Smith, who owns the Fry homestead, and Isabella, wife of Elgy T. VanVoorhis, of Kansas City, Mo. After their marriage Abraham and Isabella Fry settled on the upper part of the old homestead in Fallowfield township. He was actively interested in public matters, and first affiliated with the Democratic party, then became a Whig and later a Republican. He died December 11, 1866 followed by his widow April 2, 1881, she having lived to see her youngest daughter the mother of twelve children. Both parents were members of the Disciple Church.
Thomas and Sarah A. McGowan settled on a home in the village of Lock No. 4. He has erected an elegant residence, surrounded by beautiful grounds, and among other improvements a handsome greenhouse adorns the place. In political opinion he is a member of the Republican party. In religion Mrs. McGowan is a member of the Disciple Church. They are the parents of three children, namely: J. K. M., married, and now has charge of Lock No. 4; Isabelle, wife of T. J. Allen, civil engineer, of Lock No. 4; and Abram F., married and residing at the same place. Mr. McGowan is one of the oldest navigators in Washington county, and is an expert in his vocation.
Text taken from page 936 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]