Sections in this issue:
1) Robert Fellows Gowen Became First Radio Broadcaster in America;
2) George Washington Goings Crushed To Death By Falling Tree;
3) John M. and Polly Goins Were Parents of 11 in North Carolina;
4) DEAR COUSINS.
All Gowen Manuscript Pages and Newsletters: https://goyengoinggowengoyneandgone.com/gowen-research-foundation-pages-and-info/
GOWEN RESEARCH FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Volume 10, No. 3 November 1998
1) Robert Fellows Gowen Became First Radio Broadcaster in America
Robert Fellows Gowen, a pioneer radio experimenter of Os-sining-on-the-Hudson, New York, became recognized as the first radio broadcaster in America. His low power, long distance transmission made in February 1920 was received in Chicago, Jacksonville, Florida, Topeka, Kansas, Valley City, North Dakota and other points. Radio Station W2XX, operating on 300 watts out of his home in the suburbs of New York City, established a world record On March 14 of the following year, Robert Fellows Gowen, then chief engineer of DeForest Radio Telephone and Tele-graph Company, powered up his transmitter with 500 watts and broadcast a live vaudeville show, also from his home. Reception reports came back from Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas, Washington, D.C. and other points across America.
The gala broadcast was attended by Dr. Lee DeForest, head of the company and a group of his friends and New York vaudeville entertainers. Miss Alice Gowen, sister of Robert Fellows Gowen, acted as hostess for the occasion.
Robert Fellows Gowen had assisted Dr. DeForest, “the father of radio,” in the development of the Audion vacuum tube which made live broadcasting possible.
This tube was the key component of all radio, telephone, television, radar and computer systems until the invention of the transistor in 1947.
His father had sent Robert Fellows Gowen to Harvard Uni-versity to receive a business education, but his most out-standing accomplishment at Harvard was the establishment of Harvard Radio Club of which he was president. Shortly after graduation with an A. B. degree in 1906, he went to work for American Telephone & Telegraph Company–not as a business administrator, but as a radio experimenter.
Robert Fellows Gowen, son of Charles Sewell Gowen and Al-ice Jerusha Fellows Gowen, was born December 30, 1883 at Lowell, Massachusetts. He was graduated from Mt. Pleasant Military Academy in Ossining in 1902.
He was recorded as a student at Harvard from 1902 to 1907. In 1910, he was listed as an electrical engineer in Ossining in the Harvard University Alumni Directory.
He was obsessed with radio every minute of his life, and he was 37 years old before he developed a romantic interest. He was married in Chappaqua, New York to Grace Marie Chadeayne, daughter of Thomas Thorne Chadeayne and Harriet Elizabeth Young Chadeayne, October 7, 1921. She was born April 13, 1892 at Kitchawan, New York.
Later in his career, he established his own radio laboratory where he designed superheterodyne receivers and transmitter circuitry. He was listed in “Who’s Who” for his accomplish-ments in the radio field.
He died in a nursing home June 2, 1966 at age 82. His obitu-ary appeared in the “New York Times” June 3, 1966, page 39, Column 2:
OSSINING, N. Y., June 2, Robert Fellows Gowen, a pioneer radio engineer, died here today in a nursing home. He was 82 years old and lived on Overton Road.
Mr. Gowen became interested in radio during his stu-dent days at Harvard, from which he graduated in 1906. He was the founder of the first radio club at Har-vard in 1906. He worked in the Harvard science laboratory as a graduate student and joined the engineering department of American Telephone & Telegraph Company in 1909.
In 1916 he became radio engineer for the De Forest Radio & Telegraph Company and in 1921 Chief Engineer and plant manager. During this period Mr. Gowen was credited with pioneering long distance radio transmission on low power.
Subsequently he founded his own laboratory here which specialized in receiver design and construction. In 1928 Mr. Gowen went into the production of 16mm documentary, educational and industrial motion pictures. He won awards for several of his films.
He leaves his wife, Mrs. Grace Chadeayne Gowen; a son, Charles Allan Gowen; a daughter, Mrs. Eionor O. Johnson and five grandchildren. There will be a fu-neral service for him at 10:30 a. m. Saturday at the Trinity Episcopal Church.”
He was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at North Tarry-town, New York. Grace Marie Chadeayne Gowen died May 2, 1974 and was buried beside her husband.
Two children born to Robert Fellows Gowen and Grace Marie Chadeayne Gowen include:
Mary Elizabeth Gowen born March 22, 1922
Charles Allen Gowen born December 24, 1928
2) George Washington Goings Crushed To Death By Falling Tree
George Washington Goings was born in Guilford County about 1810 and removed to Surry County, according to “The Heritage of Surry County, North Carolina.” “George W. Gowins” was licensed to marry Elizabeth Partain September 13, 1838, according to “Rockingham County, North Carolina Missing Marriage Bonds,” Vol. 3 by Don Hoover. One report shows the marriage occurring in nearby Carroll County, Virginia.
“George Going” was enumerated in the 1840 census of Surry County as the head of Household 290, composed of:
“Going, George white male 20-30 illiterate
white female 20-30 illiterate”
In his old age George Washington Goings went blind. On the day of his death on a severely windy day, he insisted that his two little granddaughters take him to his bean patch. As they led him to his garden, they noticed that a huge old tree on the trail was about to be uprooted by the wind and tried to pull him out of danger. He ignored their warnings and proceeded alone. They watched in horror as the tree came crashing down, crushing him.
Children born to them include:
William Pinkney Goings born August 8, 1839
George Washington Goings, Jr. born about 1840
James Goings born about 1842
3) John M. and Polly Goins Were Parents of 11 in North Carolina
By David Goings
Editorial Boardmember
Box 585832, Orlando, FL, 32858
John M. Goins was born May 29, 1811 and was married Octo-ber 5, 1833 to Mary “Polly” Clippard, according to “Marriages of Tryon and Lincoln Counties” by Curtis Bynum. She was born March 2, 1816.
“John Goin” was shown as the head of a household in the 1840 census of Lincoln County, page 74. His family was composed of “a white male 20-30, a white female 20-30, a white male 5-10, a white male 0-5 and a white female 0-5.”
He was a farmer and the notation “Upper Regiment Militia” appeared opposite his name in the census. His location was near that of “Oran Gouins,” page 81, whose entry also carried the notation “Upper Regiment Militia.” “Oran Gouins” is regarded as a kinsman.
Cleveland County, North Carolina was organized in the fol-lowing year, and John M. Goins in 1841 found himself in the new county. “John Gowen” was enumerated October 1, 1850 as the head of a household in the census of Cleveland County, Household 1212-1212, page 198:
“Gowen, John, 36, millwright, born in NC,
Polly 33, born in NC
Joseph 16, farmer, born in NC
Mitchel 12, born in NC
Daniel 11, born in NC
John 10, born in NC
Lucinda 5, born in NC
Francis 1, born in NC, male”
John M. Goins reappeared June 11, 1860 as the head of Household 161-161:
“Goins, John M. 49, millwright, born in NC
Mary 33, born in NC, illiterate
Joseph 26, born in NC, $125 personal
property, illiterate
Michael 18, born in NC
Nancy 22, born in NC, illiterate
John C. 14, born in NC
Lucinda 12, born in NC
Daniel 10, born in NC
Benjamin F. 8, born in NC
Miles H. 6, born in NC
Philip E. 4, born in NC
Mary E. 2, bonr in NC
Sophie 3/12, born in NC”
John M. Goins died November 22, 1869. Mary “Polly” Clip-pard Goins appeared June 30, 1870 as the head of Household 62-98 in Golden Valley township of adjoining Rutherford County, North Carolina:
“Goins, Mary 44, born in NC, keeping house,
Martha 22, born in NC
Doctor 19, born in NC, farming
Miles H. 17. born in NC, working on farm
Philip 15, born in NC
Mary 12, born in NC
Sophia 10, born in NC”
On June 11, 1880 “Mary Gowens” was emumerated as the head of a Household 86-86 in the Brindletown township of Burke County, North Carolina, Enumeration District 48, page 9:
“Gowens, Mary 65, born in NC, illiterate, farmer, widow
Mary E. 25, born in NC, daughter, illiterate
The household of her daughter, “Lucinda Gowens,” No. 87-87. adjoined hers:
“Gowens, Lucinda 31, laborer, single
Mary L. 6, daughter
Lois 4, daughter
Guirda 1, daughter”
Mary “Polly” Clippard Goins died April 11, 1887 probably in Burke County in the home of her son, Miles Henderson Goins who was enumerated there in 1880. She was interred at Silvercreek Baptist Church Cemetery in Morganton, North Carolina in Burke County.
Mary ‘Polly’ Clippard could be the daughter of John Clipard and Nancy Lailors who were married in Lincoln County, NC October 15, 1814. There are several marriages of Clipard, Clippard, Clipperd, Going, Goings, and Goins listed in “Marriages of Tryon and Lincoln Counties.”
The name variants which have been encountered in records concerning this branch include Gowen, Gowens, Goun, Gouns, Goins, and Goings. The 1850 Cleveland County census, page 198 on the microfilm, shows a spelling of Gowen. Page number 24 of the 1860 Cleveland County census shows a spelling of Goins. Page number 6 of the 1880 Brindletown Township, Burke County census shows a spelling of Gowens. Sheet number 25 of the 1900 Henrietta, Rutherford County census shows a spelling of Goins.
The Scottish and Irish patronymic forms would have included Gowen and MacGowen. The genitive “s” could have formed the Gowens surname which was used by my forefathers. The name appears to have been phonetically Americanized into Goins. My grandfather added the extra “g” which resulted in the spelling “Goings.”
“North Carolina Troops 1861-1865, Infantry,” Volume V lists a Michael H. Goins. He resided in Cleveland County where he enlisted at age 21 on 14 May 1861. I am suspicious of the stated age due to the fact that many of the men who ap-pear in this listing were exactly 21 years old. This could be the 1860 Michael Goins age 18 of Cleveland County.
The 1910 census for Miles and Rachel Goins of Henrietta, Rutherford County, NC shows a daughter-in-law Merimar [?], age 26 with granddaughter Carrie, page 4. John W. Goins, son of Miles and Rachel, died December 11, 1906 at age 29 ac-cording to his tombstone at Providence United Methodist Church cemetery in Henrietta. Therefore, he could be the fa-ther. On the back of his tombstone is “Pearlie V. daughter of J. W. Goins and Wife born December 26, 1901 and died July 11, 1902.” John W. Goins is single in the 1900 census for Miles and Rachel Goins of Henrietta, NC.
Children born to John M. Goins and Mary “Polly” Clippard Goins include:
Joseph Goins born about 1834
Nancy Goins born about 1835
Mitchel [Michael?] Goins born about 1838
John C. Goins born about 1842
Martha Lucinda “Cindy” Goins born April 16. 1847
Daniel Francis Goins born about 1848
Doctor Benjamin Franklin Goins born January 16, 1849
Miles Henderson Goins born January 31, 1852
Phillip E. Goins born Feb. 19, 1856
Mary E. Goins born about 1857
Sophia Goins born in March 1860
4) DEAR COUSINS
My husband, Myron Bryant was born February 25, 1961 in Beatrice, NE to Violet Goin/Gowen [spelling uncertain] who was born April 15, 1920 in Colorado. She was married at age 17 in Idaho. Her husband was deceased on December 10, 1955. I am unsure if Goin is her maiden name or married name. We believe that my husband has a brother who was born in Wyoming and two sisters who were born in Idaho.
My husband has been diagnosed with lung cancer and has been given three-six months to live. If you can help with this genealogical puzzle, please contact us right away. We will be forever indebted to you. Amanda Jacobs-Bryant, 129 W. Government Ave, Norfolk, VA, 23503, dol-phin381@mailcity.com.
==Dear Cousins==
Looking for descendants of “old Will Goings” who died just before July 10, 1850 in Holmes County, MS. Was he the father of Joseph Goings who married Sovilla Lanier in Copiah County, MS. They later moved to Washington Parish, LA.
I found reference to “old Will” in a letter written July 10, 1850 Abraham Sutton from his brother John W. Sutton who mentioned that “old Will” had just passed away. Does anyone have information on any of these individuals. Wanda Adams, 438 Vikki Lane, Mt. Morris, IL, 48458.
==Dear Cousins==
I was delighted to receive the September Newsletter and to see the picture of my great uncle George Franklin Gowen. Although it is wonderful to see his name praised so highly, I believe it may have been a different Gowen who interviewed William Floyd and put together the journal. My copy of the journal “Notes and Reminiscences” is credited to Charles Emmett Gowen. Charles was a younger brother of George. Both were sons of William Price Gowen and Sydney Floyd Gowen. Charles was born May 10, 1868 and died April 4, 1931. George was born January 8, 1859 and died January 21, 1931. Roxanna H. Francesconi, 255 Hilltop Rd, Shel-byville, TN, 37160.
==Dear Cousins==
The article you wrote in the September Newsletter about George Gowen is all messed up. Charles Emmett Gowen, my grandfather, wrote “Notes and Reminiscences” in 1904 sit-ting on his front porch. George Gowen was a highly educated man, and he never married. Charles Emmett Gowen and Mag Holt Gowen had two children, Dale Holt Gowen and my fa-ther, Fred Charles Gowen.
Shirley and I have four sons and one daughter: Mike Gowen, Steve Gowen, Lene Michelle Gowen Massingille, Scott Gowen and Bryan Gowen. Shirley and I have 10 grand-children and two great-grandchildren. So we expect to have Gowens coming on as long as the world turns, I hope. Charles B. Gowen, 3422 Old Manchester Hiway, Tulla-homa, TN, 37388. Thanks, Cousins, for setting the record straight. Corrections have been made in the Foundation Manuscript.
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NOTE: The above information produced by the Gowen Research Foundation (GRF), and parts of the “Gowen Manuscript” they worked on producing. It has tons of information – much of it is correct, but be careful, some of it is not correct – so check their sources and logic. I’ve copied some of their information in the past researching my own family, only to find out there were some clear mistakes. So be sure to check the information to verify if it is right before citing the source and believing the person who researched it before was 100% correct. Most of the information I found there seems to be correct, but some is not.
Their website is: Internet: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gowenrf
There does not seem to be anyone “manning the ship” at the Gowen Research Foundation, or Gowen Manuscript site any longer, and there is no way to contact anyone about any errors. The pages themselves don’t have a mechanism to leave a note for others to see any “new information” that you may have that shows when you find info that shows something is wrong, or when something has been verified.
Feel free to leave messages about any new information found, or errors in these pages, or information that has been verified that those who wrote these pages may not have known about.
Goyen Family Tree 