Son of George and Caroline Pickering McGowan; oldest son in a farming family of twelve children, he graduated from the University of Michigan and became successful attorney. When he died at the age of 39, he left a young widow and two little girls.

Obituary from the Lawrence [Michigan] times 14 February 1891
Life and Death of Andrew J. McGowan - Andrew J. McGowan was a son of George and Caroline McGowan who have lived in the township of Lawrence [Van Buren Co, Michigan] the last twenty-six years. A. J. McGowan was born at Alliance, Stark Co, Ohio September 10, 1851, and every one who knew him in his childhood days were inspired by the wisdom and love that contained in his noble brow. While in the young years of boyhood his aspirations reached out in every direction for wisdom and knowledge and while in those young years he determined to gratify his wishes and exerted his strong will power and determination to become a power of good to the thousands that surrounded him.
In 1873 he entered college at Ann Arbor with an empty purse, but with a will and ready hands he worked his way through college and came out with the honors due him, and due all other self-made men. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and went into partnership with the law firm of Honorable Jonas H. McGowan of Coldwater, Mich. In 1879 he married E. R. Clark's daughter, of Coldwater, and soon after concluded to change his quarters and thereby chose the far west, what is now the state of Idaho, and located in a small mining village called Hailey. He entered into partnership with Mr. Kingsbury who went from Constantine, St. Joseph Co. [Michigan]. This law firm became one of the strongest in Hailey, and they had all the business they could well attend to. Aside form the practice of law Mr. McGowan became interested in other enterprises and was thoroughly identified with the city in which he lived in business, socially and in every other relation in which he could be of use to build up his town and his people. Mr. McGowan was Vice President of the bank of Hailey, and for a time worked as cashier when by over work the cashier had sickened and died. They had a very [3 - 4 illegible words]. He located on a farm [3 illegible words] Hailey of about 1000 acres; he spent a good many dollars to irrigate and fence, build, and bring it in shape and now it is a splendid farm. Two years ago he had the misfortune to lose $10,000 in a silver mine and that was a severe blow on him and about that time his house caught fire and burned and a brick store that he build burned also, and he met with several other misfortunes, together with the defeat of Supreme Judge on the Republican ticket was too much for his brain and nerves. He gave up business on New Years day and passed away on the 27th of January, 1891. His was a noble character, generous, brave and kind. The family ties that have been so fortunate in George McGowan's family for many years in the past has been broken. There is father, mother, seven brothers and four sisters that deeply mourn the loss of our loved one. His remains were brought back to Coldwater for burial. L. M. G. [written by Lewis McGowan, his oldest brother]

The Coldwater Republican, 30 Jan 1891: "Death Far in the West. A dispatch from Mr. E. R. Clarke dated Hailey, Idaho, Jan 27, and received here Wednesday noon announced the death of Andrew J. McGowan to the friends here with the added information that they would reach Coldwater with the remains on Monday Feb 2. Mr. McGowan was a man of about 38 or 40 years of age and full of ambition and energy and of excellent character. Prior to his sickness he and his wife had planned to visit Southern California for rest and recuperation; but the sickness came on which resulted in hid death. His old acquaintances and friends will be sorry that thus early they are called upon to bear his remains to their last resting place. Mr. McGowan will be remembered here as a very studious young man and very active during political campaigns in stumping the county for the Republican party and his addresses, always carefully prepared, were listened to by the different audiences that heard him. In 1882 he went to Hailey and entered into partnership with Mr. Kingsbury who went from Constantine, St. Joseph county. This law firm became one of the strongest in Hailey and they had all the business they could well attend to. Aside from the practice of law Mr. McGowan became interested in other enterprises and was thoroughly identified with the city in which he lived, in business, socially and in every other relation in which he could be of use to build up his town and his people. Mr. McGowan was vice president of the bank at Hailey and for a time acted as cashier when by overwork the cashier had sickened and died. He had a very pleasant home in Hailey, the only one we are informed, at least for a time, that had a grass plat about it, as all the green that grows in that country must be secured by irrigation. Mr. McGowan was a graduate of Michigan University, and was a nephew of Hon. J. H. McGowan. He leaves a wife and two children who will deeply feel his absence from the family circle."

The Courier, 31 Jan 1891: "Death of A. J. McGowan. Last week the Courier mentioned the serious illness of Andrew J. McGowan at his home in Hailey, Idaho. His father-in-law, mayor Clarke, left for there immediately. Wednesday he telegraphed back that Andrew had passed away, and that he would arrive here with the remains next Monday. No further particulars have been received at the hour of going to press. Mr. McGowan was born in Lawrence, Van Buren county, Mich, 37 years ago, and when quite a young man came to Coldwater. Studying law with his uncle, Hon. J. H. McGowan, he was admitted to the bar and was soon recognized as one of the brightest lawyers in our midst and brilliant prospects were before him. His health failing, nine years ago he moved to Hailey, hoping a change of climate would be beneficial, and where he soon built up a large practice in his chosen profession. During the campaign last fall he was attached by a severe cold which resulted in a complication of diseases and his death as above stated. Mr. McGowan was a man of more than ordinary ability of strict uprightness, a sincere Christian, always interested in anything that would tend to promote the good of his fellow many, and for several years previous to his removal from our midst was superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school and a prominent worker in all church affairs. He leaves a wife (formerly Miss Eva Clarke) and two children."

The Coldwater Republican 3 Feb 1891: "The remains of A. J. McGowan arrived yesterday noon; and the family came at the same time. The funeral services are being held this morning at the residence of Mr. E. R. Clarke at the time of going to press, Rev. H. P. Collin officiating who was pastor of the church where Mr. McGowan attended when he lived here...."