David McGowan
David McGowan, of Steubenvilie, president of the Miners and Mechanics Bank, and also of The McGowan Bros. Co., is one of a generation of merchants upon whose enterprise, industry and foresight, much of the material prosperity of Steubenvilie has been builded. Mr. McGowan was born in this city January 17, 1838, and is a son of David and Mary M. (Reed) McGowan. The paternal grandfather, William McGowan, came to America from Ireland in 1813, and shortly afterward settled wilh his family in Salem Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, where he subsequently died.
David McGowan. son of William McGowan, was the founder of the present bisiness at Steubenville, which is the oldest wholesale grocery house in the state of Ohio. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1799, and was fourteen years of age when he accompanied his father to America, his mother having died in Ireland. A few years later he located at Steubenville and in 1827 embarked in business on his own account. He succeeded, for he possessed not only the shrewdness accredited to the Scotch-Irish race, but also the pluck, energy and enterprise of a strong and forceful character. In a few years, when his first quarters became too small for his rapidly developing business, he purchased a part of the ground on North Third Street, on which the McGowan business house now stands. In 1838 he erected on this site what was then the largest business house in Steubenville and one of the largest in the state and it remained in use until 1883, when it gave way to the present immense warehouses of the firm. Mr. McGowan was not only an astute business man but was active in public affairs to a large degree, although never consenting to hold public office. He was an ardent anti-slavery man and had the courage of his convictions. He was a personal friend of Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, the great war secretary, and it is said that whenever it became necessary for Stanton in the discharge of any of his duties to give bond, the name of David McGowan always appeared as surety. He was a man of exemplary life, a strict Presbyterian, and a valuable and valued citizen in every way. Mr. McGowan lived until 1873, surviving his wife seven years.
David McGowan, second of the name, was the fifth of his father's family of seven children and possesses many of the leading characteristics of that parent. After completing his public school and academic studies, he served an apprenticeship of three years to the jeweler's trade, but did not follow it much longer, as he almost immediately became his father's clerk and bookkeeper, and in 1864 both he and his brother William were admitted to partnership by the elder David McGowan. The firm then became McGowan & Sons, and so remained until the death of the senior partner in 1873, which was followed six weeks later by that of William McGowan. The surviving partner, David McGowan, then carried on the business alone until the following fall, when another brother, Robert McGowan, who is now treasurer of the Stanton Monument Association, became his associate, and the style of the firm was changed to McGowan Bros., but in 1901 was incorporated as "The McGowan Brothers Co." As a citizen he is highly estimated, being broad-minded and public-spirited and is ever ready to bear his share of a citizen's responsibilities. He has served on civic boards and was especially useful in promoting the efficiency of the board of waterworks. His influence in both business and public affairs has always been exerted with beneficial results. He is a member of the board of the Union Cemetery Association and formerly was its president.
On October 3, 1865, Mr. McGowan was married to Miss Ella Easton, a daughter of Rev. John S. Easton, D. D., a minister of the United Presbyterian Church. To this marriage were born five children, two sons and three daughters, one of the latter dying in infancy. Of the former, John Easton McGowan is a member of "The McGowan Brothers Co." The family home is at No. 612 North Fourth Street.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910