John GOWDY (William⁴, John³, William², Unknown¹) was born 23 Jan 1793 in Kentucky. John died 12 Oct 1864 in Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois and is buried in the Monmouth Cemetery. He married Ann STEELE 6 Mar 1817 in Champaign County, Ohio. She was born 20 Jan 1799 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, the daughter of James STEELE and Ann 'Nancy' PATTEN . Ann died 9 Mar 1881 in Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois, and was also buried in Monmouth Cemetery.

1. James Steel GOWDY, born 25 Jan 1818 in Springfield, Clark Co, OH, died 4 Dec 1908 in Warren Co, IL and is buried in Monmouth Cemetery, Warren Co, IL. Hon. Mahlon M. Gowdy said “James died unmarried” and census records confirm this. A newspaper account of his death states “James S GOWDY, an old resident of Warren county and of Monmouth, died Dec 4, 1908 at the age of ninety years, having been born in Clark county, Ohio in January of 1818. He had been an invalid for a couple of years, and in a critical condition the last two weeks. He was the son of John and Ana GOWDY… In 1852 he came to Illinois, settling on a farm northwest of Monmouth…He left two brothers, David GOWDY of Monmouth and Thomas GOWDY of Kansas, and one sister, Mrs. Sarah WRIGHT of Rich Hill, Missouri…” James’ will dated 18 Oct 1894 said that his sister Isabella Fleming GOWDY was to receive his home in Monmouth and all household goods. His other real estate was to be sold and divided equally between the Board of Home Missions and Foreign Missions of the United Presbyterian Church. After collection of notes, $25 was to be given each of his brothers and sisters."
2. William Cowan GOWDY, born 5 Dec 1819, died 31 Dec 1890.
3. John GOWDY, born 5 Dec 1819 in Springfield, Clark Co, OH. Mahlon M. Gowdy said “John Gowdy died in infancy. He was a twin to William.”
4. Nancy Patton GOWDY, born 17 Jun 1822, died 20 Nov 1898.
5. Isabella “Bell” F GOWDY, born 6 Dec 1824/5 in Springfield, Clark Co, OH, died 10 Jun 1908 in Monmouth, Warren Co, IL. Mahlon M. Gowdy said “Isabella died unmarried.” Warren Co, IL records confirm this. The LDS Ancestral File incorrectly shows this Isabella was married to Simeon Miller. The Isabel who married Simeon MILLER was the daughter of Andrew GOUDY and his wife Elizabeth Mc BETH. The confusion is understandable since both women carried the same middle name "FLEMING."
6. John D/S GOWDY, born 29 Jun 1831, died 4 Apr 1885.
7. Joseph Steele GOWDY, born 29 Jun 1831, died 2 Mar 1902.
8. Thomas P GOWDY, born 21 Dec 1834, died 20 Feb 1913.
9. Robert GOWDY, born 21 Dec 1834, died 24 Aug 1871.
10. David C GOWDY, born 21 Dec 1835, died 23 Sep 1922.
11. Sarah Jane “Sally” GOWDY, born 4 Jun 1843 in Clark Co, OH. She married John WRIGHT 18 Oct 1866 in Monmouth, Warren Co, IL. Mahlon M. Gowdy said “Sally died 4 Jan 1915 in Stockton, Texas. Her husband was living with daughter Fanny near Stockton in 1919. Sally and John also had a son William.”

Dates of birth for both John GOWDY and Ann (Steele) GOWDY are found in Thomas GOWDY’s Pension Application's extract of Bible records. Place of birth for both was determined in Federal Census records.

John GOWDY’s will was admitted to probate 23 Jan 1865 in Warren Co, IL. John left all his land and belongings to his wife, Ann.

Records of Warren Co, IL indicate Ann GOWDY was buried 1 Mar 1881 at the age of 82. Her tombstone inscription shows her age at time of death was 82y1m16d. Letters of Administration were issued to R. S. Patton on 14 Apr 1881 following her death. An inventory and appraisement was filed 13 May 1881 and approval of the final report for distribution was filed on 27 Dec 1881. Distribution was ordered on 31 Jan 1882 and the administrator was dismissed on 13 Jun 1884.

This family can be found in the following Federal Census records:

Church records in Warren Co, IL for the First United Presbyterian Church in Warren Co, IL indicate that the first congregation was organized by Rev. Robert Ross May 9, 1853 as an Associate Reformed Church. “Nineteen persons were united” including “John, Ann, Isabella and James S. GOWDY...”