Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

McCAULEY, PATRICK J.

p.1140

Surnames: McCAULEY, CLARK, CONEY, ETZEL, CULLEN,

Patrick J. McCauley, proprietor of the “Rising sun Hotel,” at
Reading, has been connected with various other business enterprises
and is well known in building and contracting circles. Mr. McCauley
was born in 1866, in County Mayo, Ireland, son of Peter and Ellen
(Clark) McCauley.

Peter McCauley, who was a farmer all of his
life, lived and died in County Mayo, Ireland, his death occurring
in 1874, in his fifty-fourth year. He was twice married, and by his
first wife had a son, Robert, who still lives in the old country.
Five children were born to his second marriage: Margaret, of
Reading, m. Edward Coney; Peter is in Ireland; Patrick J.; John
also resides in Ireland; and Catherine is deceased. In religious
belief the family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mrs.
McCauley died in 1900, aged fifty-four years.

Patrick J. McCauley came to American in 1884 on
the steamship “British Princess,” which landed at Philadelphia.
From that city Mr. McCauley came to Reading, where he arrived May
26, 1884, and he at once found employment with the Reading Iron
Company, in whose tube mill he worked until 1886. In this year he
went to Hartford, Conn., where he clerked in a hotel for two years,
then returning to Reading, where he engaged as a clerk in the hotel
of Jacob Etzel, Tenth and Greenwich streets for two years. After
one year at Ninth and Greenwich streets, Mr. McCauley, in 1893,
returned to his native country, but remained only seven months,
again coming to Reading. He engaged in the insurance business for a
short time, and then associated himself with the “Harugari Hotel”
on South Sixth street for five years, at the end of which time he
purchased his present property, the “Rising Sun Hotel,” which
caters to first class trade. Mr. McCauley is a genial, courteous
host, and makes an earnest effort to furnish his patrons with all
conveniences.

On May 5, 1897, Mr. McCauley was married to
Catherine Cullen, daughter of John Cullen, and to them have been
born: John, Paul, Jared, Thomas, Margaret (died at the age of four
months), and James. The family are members of St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church, Mr. McCauley being a member of the building committee on
St. Joseph’s parochial school. He has also engaged extensively in
the building business in Reading, erecting a number of properties
in the northwestern section of the city. Politically he is a
Democrat, but takes only a good citizen’s part in public matters.
Fraternally he is connected with the Junior Fire Company.

McCORMICK, WILLIAM

p. 515

Surnames: McCORMICK, DAMPMAN

William McCormick, editor and proprietor of the Reading Herald, was
born in 1866, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Mr. McCormick was graduated from Yale in 1887,
and since then has been engaged in newspaper work, save for one
year while teaching school in New York State. He was reporter on
papers in Boston and Philadelphia; editor of the Times at
Bethlehem, Pa., for two years; and in 1893 established the Leader
at Allentown, Pa. In 1896 he bought from John B. Dampman, a half
interest in the Reading Herald, and one year later became sole
owner. Mr. McCormick makes his home in Mount Penn borough. He is
unmarried.

McCULLOUGH, JOSEPH I.

p
1441

Surnames: McCULLOUGH, CLINGAMAN, ALBERT

Joseph I. McCullough, of Reading, was born in that city Aug. 23,
1876, a son of Michael McCullough. Michael McCullough, born in
1834, was a welder by trade and was employed for a number of years
in the Seyfert & McManus foundry. Later in life he went into
the hotel business, locating at Nos. 542-544 South Seventh street,
and was thus engaged till his death in 1899. He married Miss
Margaret Clingaman, who died seven years before him, at the age of
fifty-five. Of their nine children four died in infancy, and the
others were as follows: Daniel F., deceased; Anna C.; Mary,
deceased; Joseph I.; and John, deceased. The family belonged to St.
Peter’s Catholic Church. The elder Mr. McCullough was a prominent
politician, of more than local importance. An active worker for the
Democratic party, he had many warm friends in his ward and was sent
as representative to both branches of the city council, serving at
one time as its president. From 1872 to 1874 he sat in the State
legislature, and made a good record there. Mr. McCullough was one
who saw service during the Civil war, having enlisted in the
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three months.

As a member of a devout Catholic family, it was
natural that Joseph I. McCullough should have received his
education in the parochial school of St. Peter’s parish. After his
student days were over he went to work for the Reading Iron Company
and was employed by that concern for three years. At that time his
father had opened his hotel and the son became his clerk, working
in that capacity till the death of his father. Thereafter he
conducted the place himself for a few years, but May 1, 1902, sold
out. He then filled a clerical position till 1905, when he went
into business for himself once more. He carried on a cigar store
and pool room, with two tables, located at No. 644 Bingaman street,
and during the two years in which he managed it did a very good
business.

In addition to the demands of his daily
occupation Mr. McCullough has found time for considerable political
work and is prominent in the Democratic ranks in Reading. In 1902,
his services were recognized by election to the select branch of
the city council, in which he was the youngest member ever sent to
that body. He continued in that position four years, giving his
constituents efficient service. Mr. McCullough is a member of the
Liberty Fire Company, having joined that organization in 1898.

The union of Mr. McCullough in 1900 to Miss Rosa
T. Albert, the daughter of George F. Albert, has been blessed with
seven children, Paul M., Mildred R., Margaret E., Leonard J. and
Gertrude A., surviving, and Gerald A. and Joseph I., Jr., deceased.
Mr. McCullough has ever adhered to the faith in which he was
brought up and he and his family are connected with St. Peter’s
Church.

McDONOUGH, MARY ANN (MRS.)

p. 1170

Surnames: McDONOUGH, LUCKENS, HASSLER, RAUENZAHN/von RAUENZAHN,
BROWN.

Mrs. Mary Ann McDonough, a well known woman at Reading, Pa., whose
twenty-three years’ service as matron of the outer depot of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad gave her an unusually large
acquaintance, was born near Friedensburg, in Berks county, April 6,
1846, daughter of Jacob and Judis (Luckens) Hassler, a complete
biography of whom will be found in this volume in the sketch of
Erza S. Hassler.

In 1866 Mrs. McDonough married Israel B.
Rauenzahn, born July 10, 1840, at Pricetown, who was for some years
a farmer and later a railroad man. He met his death in an accident
Aug. 10, 1877, at Alburtis, Lehigh county, and was buried at
Pricetown. He was a son of Gideon and Elizabeth (Brown) Rauenzahn,
the latter of whom was a daughter of Daniel and granddaughter of
Jacob Brown, who was the ancestor of a large family of Ruscombmanor
and the surrounding townships. Christian Rauenzahn, grandfather of
Israel, founded the family in Berks county, and was a descendant of
Herr von Rauenzahn. The ancestor brought with him to this country a
large family Bible, which contains valuable records of this noble
family of the German Empire, and which was sold and now is probably
in some Philadelphia museum. Mr. And Mrs. Israel B. Rauenzahn had
the following children: Annie E. died in infancy: Albert is a
steamfitter and plumber of Reading; Hayward lives at Fleetwood; and
Israel is resident of Reading.

The second marriage of Mrs. McDonough was to
William A. McDonough, in February 1905. Mr. McDonough is a son of
John McDonough, of Ireland, and is an iron worker of Reading. Mrs.
McDonough owns the corner residence at No. 1200 Green street, and
the dwelling at No. 620 Moss street, Reading, and she and her
husband reside at No. 337 South Ninth street.

McGOWAN, ALLISON

p. 718

Surnames: McGOWAN, GEIGER, ZERR

Allison F. McGowan, who died at his home in Reading, May 24, 1897,
was for many years prominently identified with the business
interests of the city, as a dealer in coal, lime and sand. Mr.
McGowan was born at Geiger’s Mills, Union township, Berks county,
son of John and Elizabeth (Geiger) McGowan.

John McGowan, whose father was a native or
Ireland, was a well-known agriculturist of Union township, where
his entire life was spent. He and his wife, Elizabeth Geiger, were
leading members of St. Paul’s (“Old Forrest”) M. E. Church. They
had the following children: George, James, John F., Allison F.,
Howard, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Harriet, Emily, Kate and William.

Allison F. McGowan received his education in the
Union township schools, and afterward engaged for a short time in
teaching. He then became a clerk in McGowan & Miltmore’s
hardware store, in Reading, where he remained several years, and
afterward connected himself with the firm of Bright & Lerch,
with whom he continued for five years. At the end of this time Mr.
McGowan purchased an interest in the firm of High & Geiger,
coal, sand and lime dealers, and after Mr. High’s retirement the
business was carried on by Mr. Geiger. When the latter gentleman
left the business, Mr. McGowan assumed charge, and carried this on
until his death, the enterprise being very successful. Mr. McGowan
was always considered a man of much business ability, careful and
industrious, and he was rated one of the city’s successful and
representative men. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., of Reading,
and of St. Peter’s M. E. Church of Reading. He was a great lover of
music, and was the choir-master of St. Peter’s church for twenty
years.

Mr. McGowan married Miss Louisa Geiger, the
daughter of Levi and Mary (Zerr) Geiger, and to this union there
were born three children: Howard L. and Allison J., both deceased;
and William H., who is engaged in the manufacture of underwear at
Nos. 746-748 Cherry street, the firm being known as the Eclipse
Knitting Company, and who is the organist and choirmaster at St.
Barnabas P. E. church, Reading.

McGOWAN, HOWARD GLACY.
(HON)

p. 1658

Surnames: McGOWAN, GEIGER, HAWS, SPECHER, ZERR, BITLER, STUART

Hon Howard Glacy McGowan. In every community, great or small, there
are found men who by reason of personal attributes, enterprising
spirit and natural ability, have risen above their fellows in
business, social or public life. Berks county, Pa., has many
examples, and one of these is the Hon. Howard Glacy McGowan,
ex-representative to the State Legislature, and a leading
agriculturist of Robeson township. Mr. McGowan was born in Union
township. Berks county, Sept. 8, 1858, son of John and Elizabeth
(Geiger) McGowan.

John McGowan, grandfather of Howard G., was a
native of the North of Ireland, whence he came to America in 1790,
settling at once on a farm in Berks county. There he and his wife
both died in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. Three children
were born to them: Nathaniel, William and John. Mr. McGowan was a
Democrat in politics.

John McGowan, father of Howard G., was born in
Union township, in 1807, on the farm where he lived all his life,
dying in 1887, in the eightieth year of his age. He spent his life
engaged in agricultural pursuits, leaving at his death a valuable
estate, which was divided among all of his children. Mr. McGowan
married Elizabeth Geiger, daughter of George Geiger, and she died
in 1893, when eighty years old, the mother of children as follows:
George G.; John; William G. ; James; Allison F. : Howard Glacy:
Mary (m. Levi Geiger) : Sarah (m. John P. Haws) ; Catherine (m.
Herman U. Geiger); Elizabeth V. (m. N. N. Specher) ; Emily (died
young) and Harriet B. (m. E. M. Zerr). In religious belief the
family were Methodists, and Mr. McGowan donated the ground on which
St. Paul’s Church now stands, then known as the old Forrest Church.
He was a Democrat in politics, was county commissioner in 1867,
school director, assessor and tax collector. Fraternally he was
connected with Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M. of Reading.

Howard G. McGowan was educated in the schools of
Union township, and the Reading high school, after leaving which he
entered the hardware store of his brother William G. of the firm
known as the McGowan & Miltimore, hardware merchants, in
Reading, remaining there seven years. Mr. McGowan then accepted a
position with the Adams Express Company where he continued three
years, and in 1880 he purchased the old Bitler homestead in Robeson
township, a tract of 111 acres of land which he is still
cultivating. He has made many improvements, and devotes his
attention to fruit and berry growing, having raised as many as 100
bushels of strawberries, in addition to 800 baskets of peaches,
apples and pears in a single season. He keeps a dairy of
thoroughbred Jersey cattle, and is a successful agriculturist in
every way. Mr. McGowan is a member of the Pennsylvania State Board
of Agriculture, a director of the Farmers’ Institute of Berks
county; chairman of the board of managers of the Farmers’
Institute, a position which he had held for ten years; and for
twenty-five years has been a member of the Berks County
Agricultural Association, and an annual exhibitor, for twenty-five
years, winning the first prize for corn, potatoes, apples, pears,
etc.

In 1879 Mr. McGowan married Amanda E. Geiger,
daughter of Herman and Maria S. Geiger, and two children were born
to this union Howard A.. who died in 1881, at the age of six
months; and H. Preston, born March 17, 1895. Mr. McGowan is a
Democrat in politics, and has been assessor, tax collector, etc. in
his district. In 1906 he was elected a member of the State
Legislature, and served on the committees on Agriculture, Law and
Order, Public Health and Sanitation, Constitutional Reform, and
other committees. During the session of 1907 his activity in the
interest of his constituents attracted more than ordinary
attention. During the session he was appointed to attend the
National Good Roads Congress at Pittsburgh, Pa.; chosen on the
Appropriation Committee and to fill many other important positions.
He presented many bills to the Legislature, investigated the
Vinegar law in the interests of the farmers of the State, and
subsequently had printed a circular letter relative to this work,
which was distributed to farmers throughout the State. He succeeded
in having an Act passed in the interest of shippers of milk and
cream in cans and other vessels over railroads, and through this
law all milk cans and other vessels must be thoroughly cleaned by
the receiver of milk before being returned to the shipper. The
sanitary effect of this law is appreciated by the residents of
cities and towns, and the law is as well of much assistance to
farmers in keeping the vessels clean. Mr. McGowan spoke in support
of many measures and through his activity in the House and Senate
several bills became laws much to the benefit of the farmers in
whose interest Mr. McGowan was working. In recent years (two years
in succession) Governor E. T. Stuart appointed Mr. McGowan a
delegate to the National Farmers’ Congress, which was held in
Richmond, Va., and Madison, Wis. respectively.

Fraternally Mr. McGowan is a member of the P. 0.
S. of A., being a charter member of Camp No. 388, of Geigertown;
and Neversink Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., of Birdsboro. He is a member of
St. Paul’s M. E. Church, where he is serving as secretary of the
board of trustees, steward and Sunday-school treasurer, and he was
at one time the Sunday-school organist, and at present is serving
as chorister in the church.

McGOWAN,
JAMES

p. 1331

Surnames: McGOWAN, GEIGER, AMMONS, MILLER, RANCEL, PATTERSON,
SPONAGLE, WICKLEIN, WELLS, REHR, SLICHTER.

James McGowan, president of the Berks County Agricultural Society,
of which organization he has been a member since 1874, and a
leading retired citizen of Robeson township, Berks county, was born
May 2, 1838 in Union township, this county, son of John and
Elizabeth (Geiger) McGowan.

Mr. McGowan was educated in the schools of Union
township, and early in life took up agricultural pursuits, which he
has made his life work. He is considered an authority on modern
farming methods, and his beautifully located farm is well adapted
for pasturing purposes for his herd of fifteen cows, a stream of
fine, clear water running through the property. Mr. McGowan’s dairy
business is an extensive one, the product thereof being sold in the
Philadelphia market. In religious belief Mr. McGowan and his family
are Methodists. He is a Democrat in politics, and was for a number
of years township assessor and tax collector. During his long
membership in the Berks County Agricultural Society, Mr. McGowan
has never missed a meeting, and since being elected to the
presidency in 1883, he has done much towards strengthening it in
many ways. Since 1895 he has also been president of the Berks
County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

In 1862 Mr. McGowan married Annie Ammons,
daughter of Henry Ammons, who died in April, 1883. To this union
were born eight children: William m. Rosie Miller; John m. Bella
Rancel; Harry m. May Patterson; Evan m. Jennie Sponagle; Elizabeth
m. Samuel Wicklein; Maggie m. George E. Wells; Amanda m. H. A.
Rehr; and Kate m. Ambrose Slichter.

McGOWAN, J. WALLACE R.

p. 1434

Surnames: McGOWAN, SPRECHER

J. Wallace McGowan, of the firm of John C. McGowan Company, who for
a number of years was an officer in the Marine Service, was born in
Reading, Pa., July 13, 1878, son of William G. and Catherine
McGowan.

William G. McGowan, who died in 1887: aged
fifty-four years, was for a long period one of Reading’s well-known
business men, being engaged in the hardware business both wholesale
and retail. At one time he was a member of the Stichter Hardware
Company, and later, with a Mr. Miltimore, founded the firm of
McGowan & Miltimore. Mr. McGowan and his wife, who died aged
sixty-five years, were the parents of eight children, four of whom
grew to maturity: Lizzie, a teacher in the public schools of
Reading; Edwin, a clerk in the employ of the John G. McGowan
Company; J. Wallace; and John G., deceased.

John G. McGowan was born in 1858 in Reading, and
attended the public schools and later the high school, from which
he was graduated. He was a member of the High School Alumni
Association, and served on many committees. In 1885 he entered into
a partnership with N. N. Sprecher at No. 537 Penn street, this
being the nucleus of the present firm of John G. McGowan Company. A
few years later he purchased his partner’s interest and removed to
No. 530 Penn street, and in 1899 into the Y. M. C. A. building. He
was one of Reading’s best known business men. He was a vocalist of
more than local reputation and was a member of the Reading Choral
Society, of which he was treasurer. He was elder and trustee of the
First Presbyterian Church, also superintendent of the
Sunday-school. To which latter position he had been re-elected just
previous to his death. He was a member of the Reading Sabbath
School Superintendents Association and the Berks County Sunday
School Association; and for twenty-one years was a member of the
board of managers of the Y. M. C. A. No man has ever been held in
higher esteem by his fellow townsmen than he, and his death caused
sorrow among a wide circle of friends. J. Wallace R. McGowan
graduated from the Reading high school in 1895, immediately after
which he received an appointment to the Merchant Marine and United
States Navy. He went aboard the Pennsylvania Nautical School Ship
(manned by Naval officers) “Saratoga,” discharging his duties for
two years. Although Mr. McGowan did not graduate from the
school-ship at this time, which was owing to the outbreak of the
Spanish-American war, he received a discharge in lieu of a diploma,
given each student of an equal rank. However, not satisfied with
his diploma, he at the close of the war went back to the
school-ship and took up a post-graduate course, completing his work
second in the class.

While the Spanish-American war was in progress,
Mr. McGowan served under Admiral Sigsbee, then captain of the “St.
Paul.” Later, Mr. McGowan entered the employ of the Red Star Line,
between New York and Antwerp; was also with the Quebec Steamship
Company and several other Trans-Atlantic liners. In January, 1904,
he accepted the rank of second officer on the Pacific mail liner
“Mongolia,” then the largest ship under the American flag in the
world. He joined at the Camden shipbuilding yards, N. J., taking
her on her first voyage, via the West Indies and Strait of
Magellan, to San Francisco. On his arrival at San Francisco he
received a commission on the Pacific Mail steamer lines. Having
discharged his duties successfully on the “Mongolia,” he joined the
“Manchuria.” On this steamship he made numerous voyages along the
Western coast, frequently anchoring at Mexican and Central American
ports, among which were: Guatemala, Honduras, San Salvador,
Nicaragua. Costs Rica and Panama.

While the “Manchuria” was making her trips to
China, Mr. McGowan, on one of these, became acquainted with the
Taft party. Taking them aboard this vessel, he transported them to
port at Honolulu and Japan, stopping at Yokahoma, Kobe, Nagasaki,
thence to Manila. While in Panama at the time of the celebration of
the Panama Liberty. Mr. McGowan again met Secretary Taft, Colonel
Edwards, head of the Philippine commission, and Governor Shontz,
who had then control over the canal zone.

The home port during his entire career on the
Pacific Coast, was San Francisco. Had Mr. McGowan reported back for
duty at the end of his furlough, he would have been in the midst of
the great earthquake and conflagration there, being scarcely a
month away from that city. On his return, via the Southern Pacific,
he passed through many of the districts damaged by the earthquake,
stopping at San Jose, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. From these
towns he traveled through the fruitful vineyards of southern
California; thence across the desert-like sands of Arizona,
arriving at Tucson. A few days later he reached El Paso, a town
near the Mexican border noted for its variety of architecture, and
then passing through San Antonio, Texas he came to the lowlands of
Louisiana, and then on to Reading.

Since locating in this city Mr. McGowan has been
connected with the John G. McGowan Company. Mr. McGowan is a member
of the Reading Board of Trade, the Washington Library Club,
Brotherhood of the Union, the Alumni of the Pennsylvania Nautical
School and of the Masters and Pilots Association of San Francisco.