The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-15
FREEHOLDER
M'GOWAN'S
SUDDEN END


he would never admit he was an
invalid.
The news of his death caused many ex-
pressions of regret, particularly at the
County Court House, where he was known
not only to every chief of department,
but to every clerk, and even laborers, for
tom" MCGOWAN was known and liked
by almost everybody. He was a Repub-
lican Freebooter for almost thirty years,
and a director of the board from 1894 to
January 1 last.
Mr.. MCGOWAN is survived only by his
widow. who was Miss Elmira Taylor, of
Montclair, for they had no children.
Mrs. Joseph Fairbanks, who died last
| summer, lived with the McGowan's since
she was a girl, and she was the only
daughter they ever knew. Her daughter,
Miss Emily Fairbanks, accompanied Mr..
and Mrs. MCGOWAN to Maine.
Mr.. MCGOWAN was a trustee of the old
First Presbyterian Church of Bloomfield
and a past master of Bloomfield Lodge
No. 40, f. and A. NJ. He was the Oldest
member of the Bloomfield Republican
Club, and was first vice-president of the
BLOOMFIELD Board of Trade.
Mr.. MCGOWAN was a member of the
County Court House Commission since It's
creation in 1901. with DR.. Leslie D.. Ward
and Judge George r. Gray. Mr.. MCGOWAN
/ WIS d GILL ny Nili0C VI TIC a1t ANo
ing the commission which provided
that the director of the Board of Freehold
ers at that time should be a member of
the commission.
Thomas MCGOWAN was born in the north
of Ireland s~eventy-three years ago. He
came to the United States with his
mother, who was a widow, when he was
9 years old, and they lived at first in New
York city. In 1851 they moved to Bloom
| AL .uIo~a thu 1ay cafzrad m a mr. afipp-
ship under John Hall, a manufacturing
halter, and he became foreman in the fac
tory where he served out his time.
He worked as a journeyman halter in
Philadelphia and Newark, and In 1856
started in business for himself, under the
firm name of Fairchild & MCGOWAN, at
South Market and Congress street, this
city. The firm ~prospered, and after a dozen
years Mr.. MCGOWAN retired with a fair
competency, and afterward was not ac-
lively engaged in any business except
politics.
In 1880 Mr.. MCGOWAN was elected to
the Board of Freeholders from Bloomfield,
on the Republican ticket, and with the
exception of one or two years served on
the beard since. He had served as chaif-
man CT member of every committee of the
board and he attended every committee
and beard meeting.
Mr. MCGOWan was elecLeu director OF
the Board of Freeholders in December.
1894. and served in hat position continu-
ously until January l last, when the DEM
ocrats got control of the board. He served
in the board under the old township sys-
tenn of representation and also under the
Assembly district system. when he sue
ceeded the late James Peck, of East Or
ange, and sat in the Democratic board
of line members The Bloomfield people
elected him again when the township
system was restored, and they probably
would elect him freebooter if he had lived
to be a c%entenarian. He was a member of
the New Jersey House of Assembly In
1883 and 1889.
Mr.. MCGOWAN was a man of few words.
but he had Irish wit and humor. He was
polite In politics. and by his shrewdness
generally won out in the Board of Free
holders or in a primary or an election. He
kept SO we'll posted on the work of every
committee of the Board of Freeholders
that at meetings Of the board he was never
surprised at any move that was made by
a member, When others became excitea
in debate he smiled and sawed wood,
and when the time came for his decision
1t was given quietly. but effectively. lie
Il liked to have young folks and older friends
guests at his home, 2fS Montgomery street,
Bloomfield. Even the boys and girls knew
Tom" MCGOWAN In that venerable town
and he liked to meet them.
The funeral arrangements will be made
tomorrow.
When Michael Barry. of Orange, the
present director Of the Board of Freehold,
crs. heard Of the news he at once calico
a special meeting of the board at tbs
Courthouse this afternoon at 2 O'Clock &c
take action on Mr.. MeGowans death.