Alexander McGowan (sometimes spelled McGowen; July 5, 1817 – December 26, 1893) was a foundry owner, Mayor of Houston, Texas, and a Chief Justice of Harris County, Texas.
Alexander McGowan (sometimes spelled McGowen; July 5, 1817 – December 26, 1893) was a foundry owner, Mayor of Houston, Texas, and a Chief Justice of Harris County, Texas.
Alexander McGowan was born in Duplin County, North Carolina on July 5, 1817. He was raised by foster parents and spent most of his youth in Montgomery, Alabama. He came to Houston in September 1839, opening a tin shop shortly after arriving. He married Sarah Christopher in 1841, and together they had eight children.[1]
McGowan graduated from tinner to hardware manufacturer, and eventually established a foundry in Houston. He sold his castings and hardware to people in various parts of Texas. He made the castings that Gail Borden used in his machine for making condensed milk.[1] McGowan's foundry manufactured the boiler tubes for the first electrical power plant in Houston.[2]
In 1845, McGowan was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention for prepare for the annexation of Texas to the United States. He served as Chief Justice of Harris County. He was Alderman for the City of Houston for several terms, and a Mayor of Houston for three terms. He was Tax Assessor for Harris County, and served as Harris County Treasurer.[1]
McGowan died on December 26, 1893. He was buried at San Felipe, Texas.[1]
