BIO: John GOWLAND, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  JOHN GOWLAND, of the Gowland Manufacturing Company at Philipsburg, 
Centre  county, is one of the leading foundrymen as well as an active 
and influential political worker.  He is a native of England, as are 
many of our prominent citizens; but as he was but two years old when he 
crossed the ocean the claims of the mother country are but light.  
Certainly there exists no more loyal American than he, as is proved by 
his gallant service in the Union cause during the Civil war.
  Mr. Gowland was born at Middlesborough, Yorkshire, Eng., May 30, 
1847, and is a grandson of William Gowland, a railroad contractor, who 
constructed the first railway in England, the line extending from 
Darlington to Stockton, and lost his life through an explosion in 1837. 
Matthew Gowland, our subject's father, was born May 12, 1825, at 
Darlington, in the County of Durham, England, and became a machinist by 
occupation.  He married Miss Jane Dawson, a native of Stockton, 
Yorkshire, Eng., born September 1, 1821.  They came to America in 1849, 
and located first at South Boston, Mass., whence, on February 8, 1850, 
they came to Williamsport, Penn., from there to Philipsburg to reside, 
Matthew Gorland establishing a foundry and machine shop there, and 
carrying on business successfully until his death, which occur- 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  373

red July 10, 1889.  He was a leading member of the Episcopal Church, 
and in his political views was a Republican.  Mrs. Jane Gowland is 
still living and, notwithstanding her advanced age, is in excellent 
health.  Of five children, our subject is the eldest. (2) Jane Anne, 
wife of Thornton G. Dunkle, resides in Ninth street, Philipsburg, 
Penn.; (3) Francis D., born at Williamsport, April 28, 1855, is foreman 
in the Gowland Manufacturing Company's shop; (4) George A., born May 
29, 1860, died September 9, 1885; (5) Fred, born December 18, 1861, is 
engaged in the plumbing and steam-fitting business at Philipsburg.
  John Gowland attended the schools of Williamsport during boyhood, and 
learned the machinist's trade there.  As a youth of seventeen he 
shouldered a musket during the dark ages of the Civil war, enlisting 
February 8, 1864, in Company G, 8th P. V. C., which was consolidated at 
Lynchburg, Va., June 24, 1865, with Company M, 16th P. V. C., and 
mustered out of service at Richmond, August 11, 1865.  Mr. Gowland saw 
some hard fighting, taking part in the battle of the Wilderness and in 
the final campaign which ended with Lee's surrender.  For a time after 
his return he worked at his trade in the West Branch Iron Works at 
Williamsport, and February 8, 1869, he went to Philipsburg to go into 
business with his father.  Since the latter's death the foundry and 
machine shop have been conducted under the present firm name.
  On December 23, 1869, Mr. Gowland was married at Fairport, Monroe 
Co., N.Y., to Miss Alice A. La Ransieur, a native of Clyde, N.Y., born 
January 12, 1850.  They have two children: (1) Matthew Francis, born 
December 4, 1870, a machinist in his father's shop, married Miss Bessie 
Ratcliffe, and has two children - John and Alice M.; (2) Alice Jane, 
born February 24, 1878, is at home.  Mrs. Gowland is a Presbyterian in 
religious faith, but our subject is an Episcopalian.  He is a 
Republican in politics, and his advice is esteemed in the party 
councils.  On May 15, 1884, he was appointed to the office of 
postmaster at Philipsburg, by President Arthur, and served until June 
30, 1888.  For one year he held the office of burgess of the city, and 
since that has been a member of the city council.  He is also president 
of the board of health of Philipsburg.  Five years ago he became 
identified with the Ancient and Illustrious Order of the Knights of 
Malta of the Continent of America, with headquarters at Glasgow, 
Scotland.  At present he is Deputy Grand Commander, and he was a 
delegate to the Supreme Grand Commandery which convened at Brooklyn, 
N.Y., on the 13th, 14th and 15th of October, 1896.  He is also a member 
of the G. A. R., John W. Gerry Post No. 90, of Philipsburg, and served 
as quartermaster two years, and also as commander of the Post two 
years.  In the Knights of Malta he is at present Grand Generalissimo of 
the order in Pennsylvania, and was one of the supreme representatives 
of the order to Boston in October, 1897.