R. M. GOWDY

FROM: The History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887).  P. 700.

          R. M. Gowdy, farmer, was born in 1845 in White Co., Ill, one of ten children of T. C. and Sarah (Grimes) Gowdy.  The father, a farmer, was born on Feburary 27, 1803, in Summer County, Tenn.  After 1820 he lived in White County, Ill.  He died in 1878.  The mother was born in Kentucky in 1817.  When a child she came to White County, and is now living in Hamilton County with her son, James.  Educated in White County, or subject in 1867 married Sarah, daughter of W. M. and Eliza Fields, born in White County in 1849.  She died July 19, 1875.  Their two children are Eliza M. and Harriett A.  In 1876 he married Permelia A., daughter of O. T. and Jane Anderson, born in White County in 1854.  Their five children are William, George, Elvis, Infant and Henry.  In 1880 he moved to Hamilton County and bought his present fine farm of 126 acres, on which he gives much attention to the breeding of fine horses.  He is a stanch Democrat, casting his first vote for Seymour.  He is a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.