1892 Biography - Thomas C. McKowen

Among the leading planters and merchants of East Feliciana parish is Thomas C. McKowen, La native born in 1849. His father, John McKowen, was a native of Ireland, and when a young man came to the United States, took part in the Florida (indian) war, and later settled in Jackson, this parish, where he became one of the earliest merchants and foremost citizens. Here he built up a very extensive trade, which he conducted until 1869, when he was succeeded by his son, W. R., who fully sustains the reputation of the old establishment. The father took great interest in the Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder, and contributed largely toward the sustenance of the present congregation at Jackson, and was largely foremost in leading a helping hand to every charitable work and every public improvement. in politics he was an old-line whig, but was not especially active in his work for the party, being too deeply absorbed in his private affairs. The first wife of John McKowen was Miss Mary Ann Langford, of Woodville, Miss. They were married in 1839, and to this union were born three children, of whom one was killed at the siege of Vicksburg; Sally became the wife of W. H. Pipes, state treasurer [see sketch], and John is now in Europe. The second marriage of Mr. McKowen took place in Ireland in 1846, while he was on a visit to his native land, the name of the lady being Miss Jane Shannon He then returned to his home in Jackson, LL, and here two sons were horn to the second marriage: W. R., who served the last year of the war, and married Miss 5. E. Pipes, in 1877, and Thomas C. After the close of the late Civil war these two children were sent to Europe to be educated, and attended school at Dungannon, Ireland, and Manchester, England. After completing their course of studies they returned to their home in Louisiana Thomas C. McKowen engaged in planting on his own account, in 1868, on the old place, and in 1872 came to his present place, and here, also, he opened up a mercantile trade in 1882, and now has one of the largest plantations and general stores in the parish, and also handles most of the cotton raised in the neighborhood. The mother of our subject departed from earth in 1851, and Mr. John McKowen was married a third time, hut there was no issue to the last marriage. Ill health caused Mr. McKowen to again cross the ocean, and he was seeking to recuperate on the Island of Jersey when he was called away in 1871. His widow is now residing in Scotland. John McKowen Jr., the half-brother of the subject of this sketch, was educated at Dartmouth college. During the Civil war he was a lieutenant-colonel in the confederate army, and at the seige of Port Hudson succeeded in capturing the federal general, Neal Dow. Since the war he has been residing in Europe, and although he is a physician he does not practice his profession. T. C. McKowen was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Maggie Germany, a daughter of Henry Germany, of West Baton Rouge, where he resides at the age of seventy-seven years, hale and hearty. Mrs. McKowen was educated in Jackson, at the Feliciana Female Collegiate institute. She has born her husband ten children, of whom the following eight still survive to brighten the home circle: Mary Virginia, Arabelle, Tommie C., William S., Henry G., Mabel, John and Margaret J. The two deceased were named Corinne and Eleanora. Mrs. McKowen is a steadfast member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McKowen and his wife are always ready to dispose of their means and their time in extending its field of usefulness. Mr. McKowen is a stanch and unflinching democrat, and is ever active in advancing the interests of his party, which he believes to be the faithful friend of the parish, state and the South in general, and the conservator of their liberties and prosperity.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, published in 1892, volume 2, pages 226-227.