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My family research started when I found the story of ALEXANDER ORR and MARGARET (MCKITTRICK) MCGOWAN, (MY GR GR GRANDPARENTS) and his family in a file that belonged to my father, after he died. I discovered things about my family that I had never known, and decided to follow up as much as I could to learn more about my ancestors.
Thanks to this site and the great kindness of genealogy experts, I have discovered quite a bit about them, and have met a few great cousins in the process, who I can also call good friends.
Presently there is a home in Friendship, WI called the "McGowan House Museum", now a historical landmark, which houses alot of the McGowan memorabilia of the past. Much of it has to do with the previous owner, a Dr. Washington Emmett McGowan (my gr uncle) and his wife Harriet, (Hattie) who lived there with their four children. The members of the Adams Co Historical Society have completely remodeled the home to the way it looked when it was originally built. It has many family treasures, original furnishings, dishes and pictures of the family.
Washington was the sixth child of Alexander Orr and Margaret (McKittrick) McGowan, who emigrated from Dunmurray, County Antrim, N. Ireland in 1849. Just having returned from another visit to the House, it was so enjoyable to revisit the home and step back into the past just a bit.
My other family names besides MCGOWAN are: MCKITTRICK, ORR, DUNLAP, TERRILL, ODELL, PETERSEN, MARCH, and COLLISTER.
** I am still searching for pictures of Alexander Orr & Margaret McGowan's two daughters - MARGARET ELLEN (MAGGIE) MCGOWAN DUNLAP, and ELIZA NESSIE (MARY JANE) MCGOWAN TERRILL.
If anyone who reads this is related to either of these women, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. MAGGIE had five sons, (JAMES ALEX, "ALLIE" b 1878, WILLIE PITT b 1880, ROBERT b 1882,(ROBBIE) EUGENE b 1884, and LOUIS, b 1886, d 1910. LOUIS is also buried in Pine Grove Cemetery. I do have a picture of them as young children. MAGGIE died March 12, 1911 in Denver, CO and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Auroraville, (Waushara Co) WI. **
ELIZA NESSIE (b June 20, 1853) died July 1st, 1877, a few weeks after giving birth to JULIAN DEXTER TERRILL, June 22, 1877 and was married to HIRAM d. TERRILL, who was born 8-19-1834 in Chittendan, VT, and died 12-10-1916 in Fruita, CO.
If anyone has any additional information or pictures concerning these two daughters, please feel free to email me at the below address. I'd love to hear from you!
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- Alexander Orr & Margaret McKittrick McGowan (72 KB)
I believe this picture was taken before Alexander and Margaret left Ireland. They left in 1849, so they are probably in their 30's.
- The Adam McGowan Family - ca 1898 (24 KB)
Back Row, l-r, Charles A., Robert John, Eva Viola, Maggie Bell & Cynthia May *Seated* Adam, wife Mary, Edith, & the twins, Arden & Aden
- Robert James Orr McGowan & Family ca 1902 (26 KB)
Standing, l-r are Martha & Bert (Robert Alexander) McGowan, daughter Margaret, & Peter N. & wife Lilla (McGowan) Peterson. Seated are Edith & RJO McGowan. The children on each side of them are Orr & Odella, twin son & daughter of Bert & Martha McGowan
- David Alexander Orr & Family ca 1915 (18 KB)
Standing, l-r, Nessie, Ada, Roy & Stella
Seated - Sarah (Moshure) & David A. O. McGowan
- Dr. and Mrs. Washington E (Harriet Odell) McGowan (29 KB)
Dr.Washington Emmett & Harriet (Hattie) McGowan, Friendship, Wisconsin ca 1888
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