"JOHN McGOWEN is one of the self made men of Seward county, who came to this state in limited circumstances, but have succeeded through their own industry, perseverance and good management in securing a good home and comfortable competence for themselves and families. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in County Clare, April 13, 1820. His parents, Thomas and Bridget (O'Day) McGowen, were also natives of the same county, were farming people and spent their entire lives in the parish of Killmikle. Their family consisted of eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom two sons are now deceased, and our subject is the only one living in this country. In the public schools of Ireland John McGowen acquired a limited education, but his training in farm work was not so meager and he soon became a thorough and skillful agriculturist. In 1848 he sailed for America, and on reaching this country located in New York state, where he spent five years. The following twelve years he lived in Muskingum county, Ohio, and from there removed to McLean county, Illinois, where he followed farming until coming to Nebraska in 1874. He then purchased the farm in Seward county, upon which he still lives, and after erecting a small house upon his place he commenced to break and improve his land. Soon acre after acre were placed under the plow and to-day he has a fine farm of two hundred acres under a high state of cultivation. His family arrived here in 1875. In 1846 Mr. McGowen was united in marriage with Miss Susan Coughlan, and they became the parents of the following children, namely: Thomas, Susan, Mary, John (deceased) and Anna, twins, George, Ellen and James. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1888, and two years later Mr. McGowen wedded Mary (Considine) Mungovan, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States in January, 1850. They are communicants of the Catholic church at Ulysses..." http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/OLLibrary/mbrcd/pages/mbrd0711.htm