Cumberland County, Maine - Joseph A. McGowan
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Biography
Joseph A. McGowan
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 599-600


Joseph A. McGowan, the efficient cashier of the Grand trunk Railway at Portland,
Me., of which city he has for a number of years served on the Common Council,
was born on July 21, 1859, son of Patrick and Sarah (McGloin) McGowan. His birth
occurred at Gurteendarragh (meaning oak field), County Leitrim, situated a short
distance from Ballyshannon, Ireland, which has been the home of the McGowan
family for many generations. His grandfather, John McGowan, was there engaged in
the successful pursuit of agriculture and kindred occupations.

Patrick McGowan grew to manhood in the old home. He followed general farming
until in 1862 he determined to try his fortune in America, and, coming hither,
settled in Portland. A brother, Terence McGowan, had come to Portland ten years
previous, and established a book business; and upon his arrival he joined him in
the enterprise. For a quarter of a century both brothers were prominent in
various charitable and other civic movements. Patrick McGowan died in Portland
On September 23, 1894. For thirteen years he was a valued member of the city
School Board, serving longer than any other citizen in that capacity; and during
his obsequies all the schools were closed, while the Mayor, members of the
School Board, and principals of the different city schools, by their attendance,
paid a last sad tribute to his memory, evidencing the honor and esteem in which
he was held by each and all. He was the first President of the St. Vincent de
Paul Charitable Society, and for twenty years a Director of the Widows' Wood
Society, a charitable organization for the furnishing of fuel to poor widows.

He and his wife, Sarah McGloin, to whom he was united before coming to this
country, reared an interesting family of children - Terence P., who is agent for
various ocean steamers, such as the Cunard, White Star, and Anchor lines; Hugh
F., who died in 1892, a charter member of the Grattan Literary Association ;
John, whose death occurred in 1876, a correspondent of the New York Tablet and
the Boston Pilot, and an intimate friend of the late John Boyle O'Reilly; Joseph
A.; Winifred, the wife of Bryan Connolly, of Portland, where he is employed in
the mechanical department of the city; and Sarah, who married Edmund J. Young, a
resident of Portland and a descendant of the Young family of York County, Maine.
Mr. Young's uncle was the first bishop of Erie, Pa.; and he is himself engaged
in literary work, and is the translator of the well-known volume, entitled "The
Fact Divine." The mother is still living. Both parents attended the Cathedral of
the Immaculate Conception.

Joseph A. McGowan was but a few years old at the time his parents left
Gurteendarragh, and he therefore acquired his education in the common schools of
Portland. After leaving school, in 1874, he entered the passenger department of
the Grand Trunk Railway as clerk, and a year later went into the traffic
department. He served in various positions, at one time as chief clerk of the
European Steamship Company and at another in the correspondence department,
until in 1884 he was promoted to the position of cashier. During the past twelve
years he has filled that office to the entire satisfaction of all. In addition
to his duties as cashier he is accountant for the road in Portland. During his
connection with the road he has witnessed marked development in the Grand Trunk
system, the most notable incidents being the change from broad to standard
narrow gauge and the acquisition of new and tributary roads, so that the system
now extends to Chicago and the north-western section of Ontario.

On October 21, 1891, Mr. McGowan was united in marriage with Miss Bertha
Henrietta Kohling, a daughter of William H. Kohling, of Portland. They are the
parents of one daughter, Alice Kohling McGowan.

Mr. McGowan has creditably filled many of the offices within the gift of the
people. Shortly after attaining his majority, he was elected clerk of the second
ward; and in 1885 he became a member of the Common Council. During that term of
office Portland observed its centennial anniversary, and he was appointed a
member of the different committees which had in charge the arrangement of the
details of what proved a most successful celebration. In 1887 he was again
elected to the Common Council, also in 1889; and in 1892 he was chosen President
of that body. He served as Alderman in 1893-94, and in the spring of 1895 was
elected to the office of Supervisor of Schools. He is also a Director of the
Falmouth Loan and Building Association, ex Vice-President of the Young Men's
Democratic Club, and Grand Knight of the Order of Knights of Columbus, and in
literary circles, ex-President of the Grattan Literary Association. Mr. McGowan
and his family are active and influential members of the congregation of the
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; and for ten years he was superintendent
of the Sunday-school connected with the Cathedral. They reside at 263 Congress
Street.