Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-09-02
THE M'GowNs.
short sketch Of Prominent North
Ellsworth Family.

Ell0W0fGn omllys
fa;xen At the recent McGown reunion by
James A. McGown, president Of the associa-
toni
AT our reunion two years ago some re-
marks were made in regard to the gene
alogy Of our family, its immigration to
this section, its individual families, etc.
/ am going to ask your indulgence while
repeat in part what was then said.
II has seemed remarkable that family
of the .ize snd intelligence OF ours should
know SO little OF its ancestry. In grave
at the cemetery lie the bodies of our
grandparents, and on the stone we read,
that Joseph McGown and jane, his wife,
died on certain dates about sixty years
age. Up to two years ago did not even
know my grandmother's maiden name,
and although have learned from some of
the older members that she was Bickford,
we are as yet uniformed further in re-
gard to that family. Who were they and
where are their descendants?
We do know that there were eight
children born to our .paternal grand
parents-all boys, my father being the
Oldest OF the family. We aIso know that
James Mctiown came to Ellsworth about
seventy years ago from Dresden, Me-, and
that his parents and all OF his brothers
soon Joined him here. We also know that
he brought from parties a tract OF land,
and that several OF his brothers purchased
from that land and commenced making
homes and farms for themselves.
This tract OF land was occupied by Reuel,
Joseph, Alfred, Peter and William, COM
prising what is now the old homestead
Of Peter the homestead OF Alfred (now
owned BY Alfred J. McGown), the home
OF Francis, the old homestead Of Joseph
(now occupied by his sons, Joseph How
ard and Melvin, my fathers old home
stead (Which, very much to my regret, has
passed into the hands OF strangersl, the
homestead OF Reuel (now owned by his
son Frank, and the Dewitt home and
farm, The old homestead of Edward (now
occupied by Alvin Maddocksl was bought
by my Uncle Peter, and was known as the
towns land.
All Of these brothers married early in
life and raised families, with the excep-
ton OF Edward, who lived to be an old
bachelor, but was later married and son
was born to him and his estimable wife
eight brothers. II am correct, was forty
seven-eighteen girls and twenty nine
boys. All Of the eight brothers have
passed on, and seven of them are buried in
the little cemetery on the hill.
When the gold fever broke out, two Of
the brothers, Aheed and Reuel, being am
bicious and wanting share Of the gold OF
California, sailed away for those parts by
way OF the isthmus. and Reuel died and
was buried at Panama. 1t is . satisfaction
to US all that, although he died and was
buried in foreign land, his grave is now
seven children born to the original
McGowns and their wives, twenty-five are
now living-seven females and fifteen
males and eight are with Us to- day.
There was strong religious sentiment
running through the original families,
and think that in their earlier years all
of the brothers were members Of some
church or creed. In later years some OF
them became more liberal in their religious
views, and 1 know that my m -ther en-
braced the doctrine OF universal salvation
before Universalism was preached from
that she was right. remember we'll one
OF her favorits quotations: .As in Adam
all die, even SO in Christ shall all be made
alive" Whether their religion was sum- !
Gent unto the end is not for me to say,
but we know that our ancestors were law
abiding people, and were never amendable
to the laws OF the land.
In politics all OF the eight brothers were
democrats, even when it was almost dam
gerous to make it public, and their de-
scendants have been called cooper
heads", on account Of their poiitica!
them ever asked for political preferment,
that single exception being my father,
who in 1SaS represented this city in the
legislature.
III the tIyIuk Oayo VI ING NlVA WIZ bOtAo
of the brightest and best off the boys
became republicans, but l think without
doubt large majority Of them will cast
their votes with me in the fall election.
Although we have been charged by
political opponents As being non union
men. it gives me pleasure to present to
you the war record Of the family. OF
those enrolled as fit for military duty, five
volunteered. and of those five, one sleeps
where he fell at the battle OF the Wilder
ness, one was wounded at Spotts9 lvania,
one came back to US broken in health after
three and one-half years campaigning IN
Virginia and now sleeps in the cemetery
here. one was with Banks in the Red
River expedition in the swamps OF Louisi-
ana and was in the terrible charge on
Port Hudson, and your humble servant
had the honor of serving with Admiral
Farragut in the West Gulf squadron and
took part in the capture of Forts Blakeley
and Mobile, which was practically the last
engagement Of the Civil war.
Since the war many have entered the
professions and trades, so that to-day you
find among them clergymen, doctors,
bankers, manufacturers, government en-
ployees, tradespeople and farmers, each
and every one solvent, conservative, in
dustrious men, well equipped for the
duties assigned them and holding the re-
spect OF communities in which they reside.
The females members, with one excep-
ton, have been wives, and have been true
and faithful and enjoy the esteem OF
people with whom they have become asso-
Siated And what is true Of the older
members OF this family is also true Of their
descendants down to the youngest, and
with this as our record we shall feel that
the world has been better for the labor OF
the McGown brothers and their numerous
progeny.
Since we were privileged to meet here
one year ago, two, of our members have
joined the grand union of the hereafter,
both OF whom were loved and respected
by US all, both useful members of society,
and we miss their presence here to-day.
May we all be preserved to meet again in
health, peace and plenty.
THE M'GowSs IN VERSE.
Written by Rev. Alfred j. McfTown ;ni
read at the McGown reunion 1861
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