HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-08-04, Page 6Robert and Donelda Charter received a plaque
from their relatives in thanks for their hosting the
McGowan family reunion.
Graduation
Gary Martin, son of Howard
and Alice Martin, graduated
from Goshen College,
Goshen, Indiana. Gary
received his Bachelor of
Arts degree in Physical
Education, Health and
Recreation.
Congratulations Gary!
Love Dad, Mom & Wendy
book and street paving. This project
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This designated structure will
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PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1993.
McGowan Settlement recalled at reunion Paul Klopp announces
jobsOntario community
action support grants
From Oregon to the east coast of Canada
descendants of Robert and Mary McGowan
travelled to East Wawanosh on Sunday to
mark part of the history of the township.
Ninety-six McGowan descendants
gathered at Woodlea, owned by Robert and
Donelda Charter, many seeing each other
for the first time. They are the far-flung
descendants of the founders of the
McGowan settlement, an area of several
farms taking up 1000 acres on concessions
2 and 3 of East Wawanosh.
Robert and Mary McGowan came from
Scotland in the early 1800s to settle the
Scotch Block in Halton County and meet
cousins never seen before. Eventually they
and their five sons Robert C., Walter,
George, James and Gregor came to East
Wawanosh to take up a whole block of land
in the 1850s. Walter took up the land that is
today Woodlea Farm. Walter's son Robert
C. McGowan married Maggie Jane
Murdoch of Lucknow in 1894. They built
the current house on the farm.
The couple had no sons, however, and so
the McGowan name wasn't carried on on
that farm. Over the years it was much the
same story on the other McGowan
Settlement farms as the name so familiar
that even the school was named McGowan
School, began to disappear. As a result on
Sunday few of the 96 people present had the
name McGowan.
Robert Charter, grandson of Robert C. and
Maggie McGowan, is the only McGowan
descendent owning land in the original
settlement. He now owns three of the original
McGowan farms.
He and his wife Donelda decided that it was
time the McGowan family was reunited and
Paul Klopp (MPP for Huron)
announced July 20 jobsOntario
Community Action funding of
$1,099,000 for projects in the
region geared to boosting cultural
and economic activities as well as
improving infrastructure. Klopp
made the announcement on behalf
of Minister of Economic
Development and Trade Frances
Lankin.
Ontario's support for these
projects comes from a special $31
million portion of the jobsOntario
Community Action program set
aside for capital projects that can
start creating jobs and supporting
communities this summer.
The funding represents up to one
half of total costs for capital
projects in Bayfield, Clinton,
Exeter, Howick and Grand Bend.
In Grand Bend, a $574,000
project for renovations to the
Huron Country Playhouse was
approved. Threatened with closure
due to fire safety regulations, the
renovations will secure the
estimated economic impact of $6
million brought by the over 75,000
visitors to the theatre every year.
This project will also maintain the
18 full-time/seasonal positions and
provide 22 short-term jobs.
In Exeter, there is $169,000 for
the construction of a sewer trunk to
alleviate potential flooding and
create housing opportunities. This
project will create 76 person weeks
of employment.
In Clinton, $231,000 will cover
half the costs of an infrastructure
upgrading project. The project —
trunk storm sewer installation,
sanitary sewer and watermain
replacement road rehabilitation and
sidewalk improvement on Mary
Street.— is the last phase of a major
project known locally as the Mary
Street Drain Project.
In Howick, $100,000 has been
approved for the rehabilitation of
two cemeteries, renovations at the
Fordwich and Gorrie librarians, the
creation of a Township history
organized the event. They traced family lines
which included one McGowan daughter who
settled in Oregon and started a branch of the
family there. They sent out invitations to 125
people and most were able to attend.
The McGowan relatives got a chance to trace
their history through various photographs and
documents on display, heard family members
reminisce, had family photos taken and enjoyed
a beef barbecue.served by the Belgrave
Kinsmen Club.
Family elders
Only four McGowans were present at the McGowan settlement reunion, the last to carry the
name of the family that settled a large part of southern East Wawanosh. Luella, left, (widow of
George) (left) chats with (lett to right) Clare McGowan, Finlay McGowan and Ella McGowan
Carter, (widow of Orval).
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