JOHN M. McCOWAN 
  Eldest son of Peter McCowan
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• John M. b. 2 DEC 1826 in New York, d.21 JUN 1908 in Joliet, IL.  Married  Sarah Haynes (b. 14 JAN 1837 inSullivan, Penn., d. o3 JUL 1897)  married on 20 APR 1851 (WILL) county, IL.  John McCowan was listed in the 2nd Class Reserves for service during the Civil War..

  Below is from the 1908 Old Settlers' Association Necrology Report, as prepared by W. W. Stevens and printed in the Joliet Daily Republican, September 12, 1908

  John McCowan

  Who died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Nettie BROCKWAY, on Gardner street, in this city, (Joliet)  June 21st, last (1908), was born December 2, 1826, in Schenectady, N. Y., and came to the county with his parents in 1835, they settling in Channahon. He was married in that town in 1851 to Miss Sarah HAYNES, and eight children survive the deceased.

  The following passage from "Past and Present of Will County, Illinois" by W.W. Stevens, 1907, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Pages 694-695 Copyright 1998-2004 Deb Haines, Grundy County IL Coordinator. All Rights Reserved   "John was born in the state of New York, December 2, 1826, and is a worthy representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of this county, whither he came with his parents in 1835. Few settlements have been made on the prairies here and little had been done to develop the natural resources of the county. The family home was established on section 5, Channahon township, and after attaining his majority John McCowan engaged in farming on his own account on the old home place, where he carried on business successfully and continuously until 1874, when he removed to Joliet, where he still resides, now living a retired life. His wife, who was born in Pennsylvania, January 14, 1837, died in Joliet, July 3, 1897. The surviving members of their family are Mrs. Nettie E. Brockway, now living in Joliet; Mrs. Julia Stage, of Blue Island, Illinois; Mrs. L. Foster, John F., Grant, Harold and Donald, all of Joliet." John and Sarah's Children: Abel S McCowan b: 20 MAY 1855 in Channahon Township (WILL) Illinois (Click here for a great story about Abel.)   (Click here for obit.)  (click here for bio)   Abel died 17 MAY 1920 Aurora, Kane, Illinois.. Married Antoinette "Nettie" Buell.  Antoinette was born 27 AUG 1858.  Antoinette died 30 AUG 1935 in Aurora (KANE) Illinois.  The couple married 13 MAY 1873 in (WILL) county Illinois. Antoinette's parents were Father: George W Buell b: 4 OCT 1825 in Westmoreland (???) New York  The 1918 Prairie Farmer Directory lists the name of their farm as Wide Water Farm; 176 acres; phone 1852. Minooka R3 Channahon S5 Mother: Sarah Jane Schermerhorn b: 15 NOV 1831 in Schodack (RENSSELAER) New York. At the time of Abel's death in 1920 he resided at 306 New York Street in Aurora, IL. Abel and Antoinette had 2 children:    1)  Floyd Buell McCowan  Birth: 24 MAR 1876 in Channahon Township (WILL) Illinois At the time of Abel's death in 1920, Floyd lived in Hobson, MT. Death: 20 MAR 1947 in Roberts (CARBON) Montana  cemetery. Burial: Hillcrest Lawn Mausoleum and Columbarium in Great Falls (CASCADE) Montana. In 1930 Floyd is found living in Lewiston Montana with Anna and their son Floyd N. (AGE 21). All are involved in a retail grocery. Marriage  Anna Lorense Concordia Nielsen b: 19 JUN 1880 in Lolland, Maribo Denmark D. 1970 and buried in Hillcrest Lawn with Floyd. Married: 24 SEP 1902 in Minooka (GRUNDY) Illinois The couple had 2 children. 1) Flossie Evelyn b.24 FEB 1906   Minooka, Grundy, Illinois  d.04 JAN 1990   2) Floyd Nielsen McCowan b. 30 JUL 1909   Joliet, (WILL), Illinois d. 07 MAR 1996 in Seattle (KING) , Washington.Received SS# in California before 1951.    2)  Frederick (Fred) J.  McCowan Birth:  21 JUN 1883 in Channahon Township (WILL) Illinois.  Death: 27 NOV 1953 Married: 29 OCT 1910 Aurora, Kane County, IL Spouse:  Kath Mich Catherine  A. Meisch b. 6 March 1891, Kane County, Aurora, IL d. 21 January 1986, Aurora, Kane County, IL Catherine's parents were John Peter Meisch and  Katherine   Ries October 15, 1903 -- Minooka News Vol. 28, No. __"Fred McCowan leaves today for Los Angeles, California, and if he likes the country he will remain there. Fred has been employed in FERGUSON's blacksmith shop here the past six months." In 1920 Fred J. was living on New York St. in Aurora, IL. he is listed as a meat cutter at a local market in the city. Abel and his wife Antoinette were living with him. Abel died in 1920. In 1930 Fred J. is listed as a grocer at Meril Market.  Fred was still living on Jackson St. in Aurora. Antoinette is not living with the family at this time. Fred's 2 children were:  Richard J. of Aurora, IL . Birth: 16 JUL 1911 in Aurora, (KANE) county, IL Death: 22 NOV 1964 in Ft. Lauderdale, (BROWARD) county., FL Marriage 1 Edith Mercy LIES b: 4 AUG 1911 in Aurora, (KANE) county., IL. Married: 25 DEC 1934 in Aurora, (KANE) County, IL. Edyth (note spelling) d. Dec 1995 Aurora, Kane, Illinois SS# 335-01-1668    Virginia E. of Aurora, IL. b. ABT Dec 1917 The 1860 census shows that John and Sarah had a daughter named Jewett. born 1856. At this time it is believed to be Nettie E below.  Jewett is not listed in the 1870 census but Nettie E. is.  The birth date approximates Nettie E. Nettie E McCowan b: ABT. 1856 in Illinois married at age 23 married Henry S Brockway  who was born 1841 Elmira, Chemung, NY, died 1893, Joliet, Will, IL; son of Edmund 1811-1885, b Chemung Co NY, d. Iowa, and Elizabeth Shoemaker. Married: 13 NOV 1878 in WILL County Illinois. The 1900 census shows John and his youngest son Donald are sharing their home with Nettie and her  two sons Harry S. and Jay M. in Joliet on Gardiner St. At this time Nettie is shown as being divorced. The 1910 census Nettie is now 54, living in Joliet with her  two sons. Harry is a house contractor and Jay is an invalid.  In 1930 Nettie is living in Joliet with her son Harry S. Brockway and Harry's wife Martha Mae Martha was born in Kansas.  In the census it shows they have a daughter named Marion born ABT 1920.  It is noted that the family was living on Third Ave in Joliet and that Harry S. was the owner of a contracting company. Children:  1   Harry S. Brockway  b. 28 APR 1884 d. DEC 1973 Last Residence New Lenox, Will, Illinois SS# 353-20-0515       Harry  married Martha Mae. Mateer on 15 Sep 1917 b. 25 Apr 1889 d. 14 Sep 1966.  Martha's parents were Samuel A. and Mary C. Mateer of Joliet.  Harry Bblonged to Masonic Lodge in Joliet. Occupation carpenter           One child Marion b 18 Aug 1919, Joliet, Will, Illinois d. Dec. 29, 2002            Marion B. Kerr, age 82, died on Sat., Dec. 29, 2002  in Edina, MN. Born in Joliet, IL, she graduated from            Joliet Township High School ('37), and moved to New Lenox in 1948. She worked in the Lockport office            of Illinois Bell Telephone Company for 25 years, retiring in 1980.  Preceded in death by her son, Robert           Yates; husbands, Howard Yates and Charles Kerr; and her parents, Harry and Martha Brockway.           Survived by her daughter, Marsha Traynor, son-in-law, Jeff, and their two sons, Jason and           Marion married Howard Yates on 24 May 1941 Howard died 30 Mar 1948   2  Jay M. Brockway b. Jan 1886 .  Not found in the 1920 census.... probably deceased.   Julia Luella McCowan b: 14 JAN 1860 in Illinois married William C. Stage on14 JAN 1880 in WILL County Ill.  William was born about 1858 and in the 1880 census we find William and Julia and William's father , also named William born about 1832 (age 48), living with them.  William C's parents were both born in Ohio but William C. was born in Illinois.  It is noted in the 1880 census that William C was a contractor and that his father was a stone mason and the group was living on Ottawa Street in Joliet..  William C. divorced.  Julia before 1900.  Julia died, 9  NOV 1951 in Los Angles, California. The 1870 census finds Williams C.... now showing as being born in 1862, (age 8) living with his father and sister Allis in Grundy Co., Morris, Il. The 1860 Census shows that William Sr. was living in Morris, IL with his wife Ruth, age 27.  William Sr. was 29 and a stone mason.  William C is listed as being 2 years old.... so the 1870 census is inaccurate for William Jr.'s birth.  it is interesting that William Sr. age 28 in this census is the head of the household and that Agnes Stage... must be his mother is living with them along with his William Jr.'s sister Harriet.      This marriage of William C. and Julia resulted in four  children:            1) Emma Nettie, b. 11 DEC 1880 in Joliet, Illinois (see below)            2) Alfred Campbell b. 31 OCT 1882 d.13 SEP 1954 in Los Angles, CA  SS# 707-10-3498             3) Ethel, died in California            4) Jessie, died in California               The 1900 Illinois, Cook Co, Worth, Oak Lawn (city) census shows that Julia is divorced and the 4 children are               living with her.              Their child Emma Nettie (Stage)  married James Edward Hurst in 1908 at Blue Island, IL  James was born in              Chicago, IL. about 1880.                  Three children were born to Emma and James.                   1) James Harvey Hurst b. 15 JAN 1910 in Ill. d.  11/08/1955 in San Bernardino Co. California,                        SS# 471-10-2559                   2)  John Dennis Hurst b ABT 1913                   3)  Mary Luella Hurst b. ABT 1915      James remarried Della Marie Close (1937) from Missouri.        James and Della had one  child JoAnn Marie Hurst. Emma Nettie  Birth: 11 DEC 1880 in Joliet, Illinois Death: 12 MAY 1929 in Virginia, Minnesota Emma's second marriage was to  William Swendby.  This marriage took place about 1920.  William Swendby owned a cigar shop first and later opened a garage. There is some question as to his birth date as he supposedly arrived in the US in 1869 and was 3 year s old. His sister, Emily supposedly arrived in 1878. William was born 3 JUL 1870??  in Norway and died: 30 DEC 1923 in Virginia, St. Louis Co., Minnesota. William was buried 2 JAN 1924 William's father: Andrew Olson Swendby b: 29 MAY 1844 in Norway. William's mother is Unknown. William's first marriage was to Marjory Schwab b: 30 JUN 1878 in Kentucky. Marjory died 1 Jun 1919  in Virginia, St. Louis Co., Minnesota. Married about 1919. Marriage 2 Nettie Emma Stage b: 11 DEC 1880 in Joliet, Illinois.  Married to William ABT 1920; no children are recorded from this marriage.  In William's obit it is mentioned that 3 step-children.: They are John born about 1914, Mary born about 1916 and James born about 1919. These step-children  can be found in the 1930 Illinois census, Cook county, Chicago, with Emma's  mother Julia living in Chicago.      John Fremont McCowan b MAR 1862 Channahon Township (WILL)  Illinois - d. 1933  The 1880 census shows      John Fremont living with his father and working as a teamster.  The 1890 Illinois census reveals that John      Fremont was a carpenter.  In 1930 we find John Fremont has remarried to Katherine b. ABT 1873  and John      continuing to work as a carpenter.      John Fremont married Eva Julia Woods on 10 MAR 1886  Eva was born in Metamora, IL., on 14 JUN 1869       and died in 9 JUL 1926.      Children of John and Eva were:           1)  Ellsworth Woods McCowan. b. 4 JUL 1886 in Joliet, IL., d. 27 JUN 1935 in Evanston, IL.               Ellsworth married Ada Gustafson.  Ada was born 5 MAR 1869 d. 9 JUL 1926 in Joliet, IL.               Ellsworth and Ada had a child John Fremont McCowan b. 29 NOV 1925.  John F. married Viginia Bennett                in 1949.  Virginia was born 14 FEB 1927.         2)  Lillian A. (b. Illinois 11 Aug 1888)   Phoenix Advertiser "Minooka News" November 17, 1904             "Miss Lillian McCowan returned to her home in Joliet Monday evening after a month's visit here at the home               of her uncle Andrew. Smith. McCowan"             "Phoenix Advertiser  Minooka News" January 5, 1905              Miss Lillian McCowan, the telephone operator, spent Sunday with her parents in Joliet"              In 1910 Lillian at age 22 is living in Illinois > Cook > 1-Wd Chicago > District 166 and working as a hairdresser.              No additional information at this time.  Lillian is not listed in the 1920 or 1930 US Census         3) Emmett/Emmit LeRoy. b. 31 Jan 1894 in Joliet, IL d.31 Aug 1956 Last known address: 5000 West National Ave.               Bldg. 1301 Milwaukee , WI 53295 buried in Wood National Cemetery Section 35 Row 10 Site 10.               LeRoy married Helen Martelle Purington in Portland, ME. WWI Draft Registration notes blue eyes and living in             Joliet.  The Registration notes the following: COOK US Army 44 Anti Aircraft  Battery. In 1920 we find LeRoy             living with the Purington family in Portland Ward 5, Cumberland, Maine.          1930 Census Portland Me:  Emmett is not listed but Vaughn and Helen are and are still living with her father.             Children of Emmett Leroy and Helen                1.  Vaughan Fremont McCowan b. 24 April, 1919 d. Mar 1976 in Maine                     Vaughan Fremont married Lavona Fredericka Piel in 1940-41 (New Year's Eve) in Toledo, Ohio                      (Lucas County).                     Their children are:                     a.  Nancy Ann McCowan Sumner (now changed to Nan McCowan Sumner-Mack)                           born 9 June 1943, Toledo, Ohio married David Nathan Sumner on September 27, 1963 (divorced).                              marriage produced two sons:                             1)   David Sean Sumner  b. 24 Apr 1964  in Florida  d. 18 Jul 1996 in Cambridge Mass.                                     A passionate musician  and lyricist, Sean performed most recently with `The Olyvz' and                                    `Decafe.' He also owned  the Encore Painting and Restoration Co. in Portsmouth, N.H.                                      Sean was married to Nancy McSheehy but was divorced.                             2)   Drew Vaughan Sumner b. 11 Nov 1978 - married and living in San Diego                                    Children:  Sean Frederick Sumner                            Nancy remarried Robert Whitcomb Mack on Maundy Thursday April 19, 1984. Changed name to                             Nan McCowan  Sumner-Mack. Robert also changed name to Robert Whitcomb Sumner-Mack.                                 b.  John Vaughan McCowan, b. 29 May 1952, Toledo, Ohio.                                 c.  Frederick Bruce McCowan was born in Tallahassee, Florida, June 29, 1961                                2.  Daniel b. ABT 1921 died before age 10.            4)  Sarah A. ABT. 1896,   (Could be: b. 5 Oct 1897 d. Apr 1981 Hopewell, Hopewell City, Virginia            5)  Elma M. b. FEB 1889         5) Helen Louise McCowan b: ABT. 1865 in Channahon Township (WILL)  Illinois d.23 SEP 1929     Louise is buried in Willard Grove Cemetery (L14 R3)     Louise married Amasa J. Foster on 20 DEC 1882 in WILL County Illinois.  Amasa was born in Illinois ABT     1856.  died 17 AUG 1908 from exhaustion of Melancholy.  Interred in Oakwood Cemetery S.E 1/2 8.  Amasa     was a resident of Kankakee, IL.      The 1891 Joliet directory lists Amasa  as a carpenter living at 111 Ferdinand in Joliet.      The 1900 Illinois Census shows that the following children were born to Louise and Amasa and the family       were  living in a rental home on Gardner Street in  the 7th ward in the city of Joliet. At this time Amasa is     listed as carpenter.          1)  Earl A. b. JUN 1885          2)  Alice L. b.  FEB 1889           3)  Willard J. b. JUL 1890 The 1920 Census finds Willard living in Joliet on Black St. He is a merchant and is married to Marie.  The couple has a 4 year old daughter named Helen. ( Perhaps named after Helen McCowan.)          4)  Oreen or Omar or Osmar H. ? b. AUG 1891          5)  Genevieve Foster  b. NOV 1892 d. 25 May 1967  married John O Owen. John died 2 SEP 1960 Genevieve                and John are both buried in Willard Grove Cemetery (L14R3)          6)  John MacOwan Foster b. o6 MAY 1894  died o5 FEB 1972 Willard  Grove Cemetery (L 14 R 3)  WWI               Vet.  SS# 339-05-6396 Chicago, Cook, Illinois (We Think)          7)  Edith H. b. SEP 1896  Grant W. McCowan b: ABT. 1870 in Plainfield (WILL) Illinois d. 13  June 1949 (WILL) Illinois     Married Mary E.  Mary was born 12 OCT 1869 in New York and died 31 MAR 1914. of paralysis. Mary is buried in     the Oakwood Cemetery Will County. Residence was at 516 Elmwood Ave. Joliet,  Illinois         Second marriage to Jesse M. b. ABT 1894         Children:               Garland I. b.1923 female               Olive J. b. 1922               Janet K b. 1921                 ** In the 1870 Illinois Census shows a male child named Alva b. 1869.  Harold Haynes McCowan b: 14 MAY 1877 in  Joliet (WILL)  Illinois d. 08 NOV 1944 (WILL) Joliet.        Click here to see Harold's obit.  At the time of Harold's death he lived at 406 Cliff Ave in Lockport, Illinois.     Harold was a carpenter by trade and is buried in Willard Grove Cemetery. (L56R6)      Married Emma Elisabeth (Hirt).   Emma was born 15 JUL 1878 and died 17 DEC 1964.(L56R6)       In the 1900 Illinois census we find Harold living with his wife Emma and daughter Ruth.  At this time Harold is      listed as a carpenter (and a carpenter in 1910 and 1920)  The family residing in Joliet Twp., Will County, Illinois on      Chippewa Ave in 1920. In 1910 the family lived on McKinley Ave. Emma's sister Anna Katherine (Hirt) Squires      lived in her home from 1902 until her death in 1958The WWI Draft Registration reveals that Harold      was a carpenter for the Standard Paint Co. in Joliet. He had grey eyes and brown hair.      Emma's parents were:             Father: Jakob Hirt b.16 AUG 1842  d .after 1900 Occupation: Laborer, Stone Mason           Mother: Anna  Barbara Younker  b: 3 JUN 1850 in Bern, Switzerland d. 17 SEP 1888 in Joliet, IL            married: 2 SEP 1870 in Will Co, Illinois. Anna died of consumption(TB).  Jakob Hirt and spouse Anna Barbara are           buried in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery with their children.      Harold and Emma were married in 1897.  The marriage resulted in four children:       1)  Ruth E. McCowan b. 18 SEP 1898. d. 26 JAN 1963 married Jerome Wringer WWI Vet. d. 31 AUG 1976.             In 1920 Ruth was a telephone operator and still living with Harold and Emma. In the 1930 census we find Ruth             married to Jerome and living on Powell Ave in Joliet.  Jerome  and Ruth were married about 1921. In 1930 Jerome             is a painter for the railroad.  Jerome's parents were Jerome W Wringer (1890-1976) and Melissa Hart (1864-1954).             In 1944 the couple lived in Lockport, IL. Both are buried in Willard Grove Cemetery (L56R6)              Jerome and Ruth had at least one child.                   1) Jerome C. Wringer  b. ABT 1924. WWII vet d. 17 MAY 1992  Joliet, Will, Illinois.                        Buried Willard Grove Cemetery (L56R6)  Married Lucille Stein b. 13 SEP 1921 d. 28 APR 2003. Also buried                        in Willard Grove Cemetery. The couple went by Jerry and Lucy.                        Obit of Lucille Stein: Age 81. Passed away Monday, April 28, 2003 at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center.                   Beloved mother of daughter Ruth Anne (John) Horvath of Hickory Hills; two sons Harold (Jane) Wringer of                        Crest Hill and Jerry (Judy) Wringer of Phoenix, AZ; devoted grandmother to Geoffrey, Joey, Kim, Jerry,                        Jimmy, Jason, Mark and David; great grandmother to Joshua, Ashley, Michael, Nicole, Brandon, Dillon,                        Nicholas and Tanner. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Published on April 30, 2003, Herald                        News, The (Joliet, IL)         2)  Walter  G. b. ABT 1901 d. 25 NOV 1940 - buried in Willard Grove Cemetery L56 R6.  Was living with Harold               and  Emma in 1920 and is listed as a plumber. In the 1930 census, Walter was still living at home and               employed at a steel mill as a pipe fitter.         3)  Albert McCowan died 1905  Probably in childbirth or early infancy.. Buried Willard Grove Cemetery (L56R6)         4)  Claude McCowan b. ABT 1906. In 1944 Claude was living in Liberty, Missouri.    Donald C. McCowan     b. NOV 1884 d.25 FEB 1945   (WILL) JOLIET TWP      Married Barbara Fessler.  In 1910 they were living in Wauponesee TWP .In 1920 Donald's occupation is listed as a       laborer in a paper mill in Morris City, IL.       Donald's 3 children      1) Donald J. Jr. b. 24 Feb 1909 d. 14 Jul 1998  New Lenox, Illinois      Obit of  Donald J. McCowan Age 89. He was a 50 year resident of New Lenox.  Died July 14, 1998 at Silver Cross      Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Olive Rose  (Kweiser) McCowan; two sons, Donald L. (Rose)      McCowan of New Lenox and Douglas R. (Sallie) McCowan of Apopka, FL; one daughter, Susan K. McCowan of      Westmont; three grandchildren, Scott, Erin and Adam; also survived by two sisters, Louise Randolph of DeLand, FL       and Helen (Jay) Rivera of Joliet.  Veteran of World War II. Former employee.t       Obit of Olive Rose McCowan  age 86. She died February 15, 2002 at her late New Lenox residence.       She is survived by two sons Donald L. (Rose) McCowan and Douglas R. (Sallie) McCowan, and one daughter       Susan K. McCowan.   Also survived by three grandchildren Scott, Erin and Adam. She was preceded in death by       her husband of 57 years Donald J. McCowan.  A memorial mass will be celebrated Friday, February 22, 2002 at St.       Jude Church, 241 W. 2nd Ave. in New Lenox, 10:30am mass. Private interment at...       marriage Douglas JamesWilkerson and Erin Kathleen McCowan       2) Helen L. b. May 1, 1911 in Morris, IL  d. January 4, 2003  services at Fred C. Dames West Chapel last residence        Joliet, Will, Illinois .Helen L. McCowan married Jay Rivera.  Jay Rivera b.8 Jun 1909 d. 24 Apr 1999.        Obit of Helen L. MacOwan Age 92. Passed away peacefully at home Saturday, January 4, 2003. Born May 1, 1911        in Morris, IL and a resident of Joliet most of her life.  Preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 1/2 years         Jay; her parents, Donald C. and Barbara (nee Fessler) McCowan; a grandson Michael R. Rivera, a sister Louise        Randolph, one brother Donald J. McCowan and a brother in law Raymond Rivera. Survived by three sons,        Thomas (Louise, deceased) Rivera, Donald (Dorothy, deceased) Rivera.  Published on January 7, 2003, Herald        News, The (Joliet, IL)              3)  Louise G. McCowan b. 28 SEP 1913 d. 14 FEB 2001  married Edwin Randolph Edwin b. 21 Nov 1914 d. Jun        1982  in Deland Co. Florida        Obit of Louise G. McCowan  Born September 28, 1913 died February 14, 2001. Preceded in death by her husband,         Edwin; also her granddaughter, Nicolette. She is survived by her son, Wayne; and daughter, Judy (Richard)         Donnelly; two grandsons, Richard and Michael Donnelly; and two great grandchildren, Erika Gonzalez and         Cheyenne Donnelly. Also sister, Helen Rivera and James Cacia.  Services were held at Allen Summerhill Funeral         Home in Deland, FL.       Grand Child: Nicolette Hope Donnelly...child of.Richard and Judy Donnelly. b. 17 Dec 1990 d. 10 Jan 1991 --          in Hillsborough County,          Florida.