Born at Grant Township, O'Brien.
Marital status - Bachelor.
GOWEN FAMILY MEMOIRS - by Brooks Gowen:
*************************************
Herman was the smaller twin, so small that a teacup would fit over his head. He grew to a large adult - close to 6 feet tall, weighing about 200 pounds.
Herman spent most of his boyhood herding sheep and cattle. His father, Oren, often sent he or Clyde, alone, to move a herd of cattle several days journey; something which would take a small crew to do otherwise.
In 1903 he and his brother, Clyde, immigrated with their father to the Yorkton area of Saskatchewan, Canada.
In 1906 Herman supposedly left Sheho walking in search of farmland. He arrived in Elfros, looked around and liked the area. He returned to Sheho and later in the same year went back to Elfros and bought some land.
In 1907 the other family members followed Herman to Elfros to homestead.
During the 1920's Herman added to his house making it a lovely two story home where he planned to live with his intended bride. However, the marriage never occurred and
he lived and farmed there the rest of his life.
Herman was supple enough to kick up and place one foot on the bottom of the door lintel (the piece across the top of the door frame) which must have come from constant practice.
In 1944 he had an accident where he was dragged by an outfit of horses, broke a leg and skin, and dirt got into the open wound. He suffered gas gangrene and his leg was amputated in the spring of 1944. He was too old by this time to adjust to crutches, and by 1950 rarely got out of bed.
He had previously made a bet with friends that in ten years' time he would still be able to kick the door lintel. At a pre-determined time and place he met his friends, took off his artificial leg, kicked the door lintel and walked away with the $10.00 bet.
He had broad shoulders, long arms, and a long reach; he used these assets along with other stunts to try and catch somebody in a bet.
After his accident, Herman was quite helpless. He had the first automatic gear shift car in the community. It was a great effort To him to get from the house to his car, so a ramp was built from the door down and he parked his car at the ramp.
He was diabetic, therefore could not eat chocolates, which was his favorite candy.
He enjoyed playing poker and sometimes went to Winnipeg for a few weeks at a time for this purpose.
He was highly respected and well liked by all.
Marital status - Bachelor.
GOWEN FAMILY MEMOIRS - by Brooks Gowen:
*************************************
Herman was the smaller twin, so small that a teacup would fit over his head. He grew to a large adult - close to 6 feet tall, weighing about 200 pounds.
Herman spent most of his boyhood herding sheep and cattle. His father, Oren, often sent he or Clyde, alone, to move a herd of cattle several days journey; something which would take a small crew to do otherwise.
In 1903 he and his brother, Clyde, immigrated with their father to the Yorkton area of Saskatchewan, Canada.
In 1906 Herman supposedly left Sheho walking in search of farmland. He arrived in Elfros, looked around and liked the area. He returned to Sheho and later in the same year went back to Elfros and bought some land.
In 1907 the other family members followed Herman to Elfros to homestead.
During the 1920's Herman added to his house making it a lovely two story home where he planned to live with his intended bride. However, the marriage never occurred and
he lived and farmed there the rest of his life.
Herman was supple enough to kick up and place one foot on the bottom of the door lintel (the piece across the top of the door frame) which must have come from constant practice.
In 1944 he had an accident where he was dragged by an outfit of horses, broke a leg and skin, and dirt got into the open wound. He suffered gas gangrene and his leg was amputated in the spring of 1944. He was too old by this time to adjust to crutches, and by 1950 rarely got out of bed.
He had previously made a bet with friends that in ten years' time he would still be able to kick the door lintel. At a pre-determined time and place he met his friends, took off his artificial leg, kicked the door lintel and walked away with the $10.00 bet.
He had broad shoulders, long arms, and a long reach; he used these assets along with other stunts to try and catch somebody in a bet.
After his accident, Herman was quite helpless. He had the first automatic gear shift car in the community. It was a great effort To him to get from the house to his car, so a ramp was built from the door down and he parked his car at the ramp.
He was diabetic, therefore could not eat chocolates, which was his favorite candy.
He enjoyed playing poker and sometimes went to Winnipeg for a few weeks at a time for this purpose.
He was highly respected and well liked by all.
Born at Grant Township, O'Brien.
Marital status - Bachelor.
GOWEN FAMILY MEMOIRS - by Brooks Gowen:
*************************************
Herman was the smaller twin, so small that a teacup would fit over his head. He grew to a large adult - close to 6 feet tall, weighing about 200 pounds.
Herman spent most of his boyhood herding sheep and cattle. His father, Oren, often sent he or Clyde, alone, to move a herd of cattle several days journey; something which would take a small crew to do otherwise.
In 1903 he and his brother, Clyde, immigrated with their father to the Yorkton area of Saskatchewan, Canada.
In 1906 Herman supposedly left Sheho walking in search of farmland. He arrived in Elfros, looked around and liked the area. He returned to Sheho and later in the same year went back to Elfros and bought some land.
In 1907 the other family members followed Herman to Elfros to homestead.
During the 1920's Herman added to his house making it a lovely two story home where he planned to live with his intended bride. However, the marriage never occurred and
he lived and farmed there the rest of his life.
Herman was supple enough to kick up and place one foot on the bottom of the door lintel (the piece across the top of the door frame) which must have come from constant practice.
In 1944 he had an accident where he was dragged by an outfit of horses, broke a leg and skin, and dirt got into the open wound. He suffered gas gangrene and his leg was amputated in the spring of 1944. He was too old by this time to adjust to crutches, and by 1950 rarely got out of bed.
He had previously made a bet with friends that in ten years' time he would still be able to kick the door lintel. At a pre-determined time and place he met his friends, took off his artificial leg, kicked the door lintel and walked away with the $10.00 bet.
He had broad shoulders, long arms, and a long reach; he used these assets along with other stunts to try and catch somebody in a bet.
After his accident, Herman was quite helpless. He had the first automatic gear shift car in the community. It was a great effort To him to get from the house to his car, so a ramp was built from the door down and he parked his car at the ramp.
He was diabetic, therefore could not eat chocolates, which was his favorite candy.
He enjoyed playing poker and sometimes went to Winnipeg for a few weeks at a time for this purpose.
He was highly respected and well liked by all.
Marital status - Bachelor.
GOWEN FAMILY MEMOIRS - by Brooks Gowen:
*************************************
Herman was the smaller twin, so small that a teacup would fit over his head. He grew to a large adult - close to 6 feet tall, weighing about 200 pounds.
Herman spent most of his boyhood herding sheep and cattle. His father, Oren, often sent he or Clyde, alone, to move a herd of cattle several days journey; something which would take a small crew to do otherwise.
In 1903 he and his brother, Clyde, immigrated with their father to the Yorkton area of Saskatchewan, Canada.
In 1906 Herman supposedly left Sheho walking in search of farmland. He arrived in Elfros, looked around and liked the area. He returned to Sheho and later in the same year went back to Elfros and bought some land.
In 1907 the other family members followed Herman to Elfros to homestead.
During the 1920's Herman added to his house making it a lovely two story home where he planned to live with his intended bride. However, the marriage never occurred and
he lived and farmed there the rest of his life.
Herman was supple enough to kick up and place one foot on the bottom of the door lintel (the piece across the top of the door frame) which must have come from constant practice.
In 1944 he had an accident where he was dragged by an outfit of horses, broke a leg and skin, and dirt got into the open wound. He suffered gas gangrene and his leg was amputated in the spring of 1944. He was too old by this time to adjust to crutches, and by 1950 rarely got out of bed.
He had previously made a bet with friends that in ten years' time he would still be able to kick the door lintel. At a pre-determined time and place he met his friends, took off his artificial leg, kicked the door lintel and walked away with the $10.00 bet.
He had broad shoulders, long arms, and a long reach; he used these assets along with other stunts to try and catch somebody in a bet.
After his accident, Herman was quite helpless. He had the first automatic gear shift car in the community. It was a great effort To him to get from the house to his car, so a ramp was built from the door down and he parked his car at the ramp.
He was diabetic, therefore could not eat chocolates, which was his favorite candy.
He enjoyed playing poker and sometimes went to Winnipeg for a few weeks at a time for this purpose.
He was highly respected and well liked by all.
Inscription
HERMAN ELBE GOWEN
1881 - 1955
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