Jonas H. McGowan | |
|---|---|
 Jonas Hartzell McGowan | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1881 | |
| Preceded by | George Willard |
| Succeeded by | Edward S. Lacey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1837-04-02)April 2, 1837 Smith Township, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | July 5, 1909(1909-07-05) (aged 72) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Josephine Pruden |
| Education | University of Michigan |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | Union Army |
| Service years | 1862–1864 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Ninth Michigan Cavalry Fifth Michigan Cavalry |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
Jonas Hartzell McGowan (April 2, 1837 – July 5, 1909) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.
McGowan was born inSmith Township, Ohio (then part ofColumbiana County, nowMahoning County). He was the eighth of ten children of Samuel and Susan McGowan. His paternalScotch-Irish ancestors had fled religious persecution and settled inPennsylvania. His father was a pioneer in Columbiana County, Ohio, where he cleared a tract of government land and occupied it as a homestead. In 1854, Samuel moved his family toOrland, Indiana, where he died in 1860. McGowan's mother was of German descent and survived the father for another four years. McGowan's father was anabolitionist and his house served as a depot on theUnderground Railroad.
McGowan attendedMount Union Seminary inAlliance, Ohio and the Orland Academy. He graduated from theUniversity of Michigan atAnn Arbor with a B.S. degree in 1861 and taught in the city schools ofColdwater, Michigan for one year. In September 1862, he married Josephine Pruden, then preceptress at the High School in Coldwater.[1][2]
During the Civil War, McGowan served in theFifth andNinth Regiments, Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. In August 1862, he enlisted as a private in the Fifth Regiment and was soon promoted to Sergeant of his Company. In November 1862, he was made acaptain in the Ninth Regiment, and went into the field early in 1863. Their first service was chasingConfederate GeneralJohn Hunt Morgan, who made incursions into southern Indiana and Ohio onMorgan's Raid. McGowan took part in theBattle of Salineville, which resulted in the capture of Morgan in July 1863, nearSalineville, Ohio. He went into campaigns in East Tennessee with GeneralAmbrose Burnside, until he was forced to resign in 1864 for reasons of poor health.
McGowan returned to Coldwater, where he received an M.S. degree from the University of Michigan in 1865.[1] He studied law, was admitted to thebar in 1867, and commenced practice. McGowan subsequently received an LL.B. degree from theUniversity of Michigan Law School in 1868.[1] He served as prosecuting attorney ofBranch County from 1868 to 1872. He was also director of the Coldwater school board for six years. He began serving as a member of the University of Michigan board of regents in 1870 and served until 1877 when he resigned after being elected to Congress. He also represented the10th district in theMichigan Senate from 1873 to 1874.
In 1876, McGowan was elected as aRepublican fromMichigan's 3rd congressional district to the45th United States Congress. He was re-elected to the46th Congress and served from March 4, 1877, to March 3, 1881. He declined to be a candidate for re-nomination in 1880.
McGowan resumed the practice of his profession inWashington, D.C., until his death there at his home inCleveland Park on July 5, 1909.[3] He was conferred an honorary LL.D. degree by the University of Michigan in 1901.[2] McGowan was a companion of the District of Columbia commandery of theMilitary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.[3] He was interred in Oak Grove Cemetery, Coldwater, Michigan.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | United States Representative for the 3rd Congressional District of Michigan 1877 – 1881 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
