Thomas "The McGown" was born on April 29, 1829 in Glasgow, Scotland.  He was baptised on May 17 that same year in Gorbals, Lanarkshire, Scotland.  In 1841 the family lived on Struthers Street in Barony Middle Calton, Lanarkshire.

In 1844 they moved to Canada. By 1851 they had settled in Otonabee Township, Peterborough County, Ontario.

Thomas married Ellen Mahoney in 1854 and lived in Thornbury, Collingwood, and later in Parry Sound by 1864.  His obituary states he was the third white settler in the district.

Thomas worked for Beatty Brothers as foreman, then joined the Parry Sound Lumber Company as camp foreman and woodranger.  Thomas and Ellen built a house 2 miles out of Parry Sound in Foley Township.  He was elected the first reeve of Foley and drove the mail stage to Rosseau for about four years. He was an active Mason, a Presbyterian in faith, a Liberal in politics.

The McGown mine was discovered on his property. First gold was mined and later bornite and chalcolite.

Thomas visited Scotland late in life, took sick and almost died, but recovered enough to return home.  He died on July 27, 1903 from pernicious anaemia at the age of 74. His funeral was one of the largest ever seen in the area.

Documents:

Tho. McGown Sr. obit 1903