Monday, September 26, 2011

Military Monday - Joseph Thompson McGowan

My fifth and last direct Civil War ancestor is Joseph Thompson McGowan (J.T.).  He was my third-great-grandfather.

J.T. was born on 16 July 1819 at Chester Co., PA.  I do not know who his parents were.  Sometime before 1842 he traveled to Knox Co., OH where he married Melvina E. Miller on 27 February 1842.  She was the daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Jackson) Miller.  She was born on 23 December 1821 at Fairmont, Marion, (West)VA.


J.T. and Melvina soon moved to Allen Co., OH where their children were born.

Their children were:
1. Elmina J. McGowan, born 21 April 1844 - she married John J. Neeley (one of my Boys in Blue))
2. Clementine Marinda McGowan, born 28 September 1845
3. Seaman Ellwood McGowan, born 26 May 1848
4. Zelpha A. McGowan, born ca 1850
5. Henry A. McGowan, born 1855
6. Louisa A. McGowan, born 24 April 1859 (second wife of J.J. Neeley)
7. Frank E. McGowan, born 23 December 1862
8. Lura A. McGowan, born ca 1864

Melvina's father Henry Miller received Bounty Land for his service in the War of 1812.   He died in 1858 and willed it to his daughter.  The family moved to this land in Bourbon Co., KS in 1864.   
J.T. joined the Co. A Irregular Kansas Militia under Major C.C. Tompkins between October 15-27, 1864 and was stationed at Mound City, Lind Co., KS.

Melvina died 16 February 1876 at Bourbon Co., KS.


J.T. remarried to Mary A. Smith on 3 April 1887 at Bourbon Co., KS.  She was born ca 1835 in CO.

He died on 10 December 1890 and is buried at Dayton Cemetery in Bourbon Co., KS near his first wife.

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