THE THIRD FAMILY
Chapter 17 of 23

In June, 1870, Charles Dickens died in London England. On October 10 of that year, Robert McGowan(#13) was born. Following Susan, he was the second child of John and Mary. As eldest son, he would have been raised on the farm with intentions of becoming heir to the homestead. However, farming would be secondary for as he grew up, Robert was never very far from the lumber camps which would form his main focus of business in future years. It was here he would have learned many of the songs he was known to enjoy casually singing for years to come.

[Mary McConnell] On May 18, 1895, Mary McConnell(#125) graduated with a Common School Diploma (about 12 years of school), from the Rosedale school in the County of Jersey in the State of Illinois. It is believed she lost her parents while still in her teens and living in Rosedale, Illinois. She then moved back to live with her uncle Dick McConnell in the Calais area. It was at a picnic on Tower Hill that Mary McConnell met Robert McGowan(#13) for the first time. On June 14, 1898, at the age of 27, Robert married Mary who was 21 years old. Mary's sister Jennifer was bridesmaid and Robert's brother George(#15) was the best man at the wedding. Over the next 18 years they would have 10 children.
On June 3, 1901 (registered on August 17, 1901), land registry records show that John McGowan(#13) and Mary McCann(#11) officially transferred the Rollingdam property over to their son Robert McGowan. Now retired (more or less), John and Mary lived on the farm with their son Robert as he began raising his family. Over his lifetime, Robert's main ambition was as a "woodland entrepreneur" although minor farming was maintained on the homestead. Over the next several years, he would expand his domain with land purchases primarily consisting of woodlots, which became his major enterprise.

In the early 1900's, it was common for landowners to either pay a poll tax in order to look after the roads or actually do road work to work off the cost.

The following receipt was for payment by Robert McGowan in 1910:
[Tax Receipt]


While moderately comfortable with life on the farm, his personal life was not to be without tragedy. On September 29, 1911, George Patrick McGowan(#127) , second child and son of Robert and Mary died at the age of 10.

The people of Rolling Dam and vicinity were much shocked on Thursday evening, September 29th, when it was learned that George McGowan had died. The child had been under the care of Dr. Harry Lawson from the beginning of his illness, which was only of two weeks duration. He seemed to be recovering until a great change came over him early Thursday morning. Dr. Holland was called in consultation, but nothing could be done to save him, and he died at about five o'clock in the afternoon. His funeral was held Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, the pall-bearers being Warren McKinney, Willard French, George Waddingham and Farnham Montgomery, school-mates of his. The deceased was a bright sturdy boy of ten years of age, and previous to this had enjoyed perfect health. Deep sympathy is felt for his grief stricken parents and family.

It is understood that he died because of a ruptured appendix. He was buried at the St. Patrick's Church cemetery just across the road and within sight of the farm. Soon after he would be joined by his grandfather.

The day of February 14, 1914, was one of a terrible snow storm. It was on this day that John McGowan (#3), who had lived all his life in Rollingdam since he was 6 months old, passed away.

 

After an illness of some months, John McGowan passed peacefully away at his home at Rolling Dam on Saturday, February 14th. He was born at Bay Side seventy six years ago, but one year later his family moved to Rolling Dam, where he had ever since resided. He was one of the best known and successful farmers of the place, honest and hospitable and had many friends. In religion he was a devout Catholic and in politics an ardent liberal.

The deceased was married in 1866 to Mary McCann of Milltown, N.B., who survives him with five children and sixteen grand children. The children are three sons and two daughters Robert at home, George in Idaho and Frank in Seattle, the daughters being Mrs. William Hannigan of St. Andrews and Mrs. Thomas Canavan of Tower Hill.

The funeral took place Tuesday morning from St. Patrick's church with a requiem mass, Rev. Father Mehan officiating. Interment was in the family lot in the Catholic cemetery at Rolling Dam. The pall bearers were Robert McGowan, William Hannigan, Thomas Canavan and Patrick Scullin.

Much sympathy is expressed for the bereaved family who have lost a good husband and a kind father.
[Third family]

In 1916 at the young age of 39, Mary McConnell(#125) died, within one month of the birth of her youngest child, Anna Edith(#135) who would also pass away very shortly after. It is said that Mary had contacted tuberculosis and that complications of child birth contributed to her demise. Both were buried at the St. Patrick's Church cemetery.

Over this five year period between 1911 and 1916, Robert McGowan (#13) had lost his father, his wife and two of his children. It was then left to him to raise and provide for his seven remaining children ranging from 1 to 17 years of age. No doubt, for the next few years his oldest daughter Margaret, at that time a young teenager, would prove to be a vital link in providing the maternal support now lost by the death of her mother.

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