My Family Tree

Parents:
Lorenzo D Gowen (1824 - 1909)
Angeline M Zimmerman Gowen (1831 - 1910)

John {Age 8} is recorded on the 1870 census at Galva, Henry, Illinois dwelling in the household of his parents.

John married

1] Anna Darling ADAMS
on 11 January 1888
in Los Angeles County, California
They were the parents of three children;
Frank Coodie, Henrietta Ideala, [infant].

2] Ella GRANT.

SANTA ANA REGISTER - 17 October 1938:
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John E. Gowen died on October 15, 1938
in his residence on 928 Spurgeon Street.

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY - by S. Armor:
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John E. Gowen, from the age of one year, resided with his parents at Galva in Illinois, where he was educated in the grammar and high school.
With his parents he came to California in December 1885 and settled at Tustin, where two years later he bought five acres of unimproved land on Lyon Street.
Immediately after acquiring his first property he planted the land in walnuts and oranges.
About the same time he secured employment as representative at Santa Ana of the German Fruit Company of Los Angeles, a position that gave experience of inestimable advantage to him later on, when he started out for himself.
It was in 1896 that he began in the packing business and as the senior member of the firm of Gowen & Willard he was identified with one of the leading industries of Santa Ana. Some years later the firm erected a packing house 70x80 feet in dimensions, modern in appointments, operated by electricity, situated adjacent to the Santa Fe Railroad tracks and furnished employment to a large number of assistants during the busy season. Shipments were made to all of the leading markets of the USA. During the season of 1909 they shipped two hundred and fifty cars of oranges and lemons, fifty cars of apricots and one hundred cars of walnuts. This large business was built up gradually and by persistent efforts; its successful management proves the ability of the proprietors.
On the organization of the Knights of Maccabees at Santa Ana one of the charter members was Mr. Gowen, who later was honored with the office of commander. Fraternal associations also brought him into membership in the Woodmen of the World. Reared in the faith of the Baptist denominations he always had been in sympathy with its doctines and has contributed liberally to the support of its missionary activities, besides being a leading worker in the church in his home town. Liberal views characterized him in politics, but in presidential elections he supported the Democratic party.