Garfield James McGowan was named after the old family friend and future president, James Garfield. His name was suggested by his Uncle Fred in a 1863 letter still owned by the family.

Garfield's Obituary was on the front page of The Decatur Republican, Thursday, July 22, 1915 Vol XLVIII #29;

DEATH OF MUCH RESPECTED CITIZEN

GARFIELD J. MCGOWAN, WHO PASSED AWAY JULY 16, WAS A POWER FOR GOOD AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED IN HIS COMMUNITY

Garfield J. McGowan, son of George and Caroline McGowan was born in Williams county, Ohio March 19, 1863, and passed away peacefully at his home near Decatur, 16 of July, 1915, at the age of 52 years, 8 months and 26 days.
He moved with his parents to Van Buren county, Michigan when a small boy. He was the ninth child in a family of twelve children. His parents, also one brother and one sister preceded him in death.
While with his parents he obtained his rural school education and when he became older sought further knowledge at Decatur High School later attending Valparaiso College. Much of his learning was obtained at home by self study. A part of the time elapsing between leaving college and his marriage was spent in teaching school.
In early manhood he accepted Christ as his Savior and has been a faithful and earnest Christian worker and a man of noble character On April 18, 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna E. Cook of California by the Rev. Frank Mather, a former resident of Paw Paw.
Mr. McGowan was a patient, unassuming, a kind husband, a loving and indulgent father, and was highly respected in the community in which he lived. Those left to cherish the memory of a life spent for the Master are his wife, three sons, Ralph, Ray and Maurice, and three daughters, Emma, Edith and Alice. Also three grandchildren, three sisters, nine brothers and many other relatives and a host of friends.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a devoted Sunday school worker, loving that work even more than his life, having served as Superintendent of the East Decatur Sunday school for about ten years and attending nearly every Sunday.
At his suggestion the annual family reunion was to be held this year at his home, the time being set for about one month from the present time. He was President of the same and himself and family were looking forward to that event with pleasure. this fact made it seem appropriate to hold the funeral services at the home. This was done, the Pastor conducting the services assisted by Rev. A. Bradfield, and a few very appropriate remarks by Mr. Boersma of Kalamazoo, who in other years worked with him in the East Decatur Sunday school.
Since 1910 he has been an endowment member of the Decatur Arbor #1445, Ancient Order of Gleaners, holding office in the lodge most of the time.
Mr. McGowan was always interested in the welfare of public schools and was an officer of the East Decatur school Board for a number of years.
The very large attendance at the funeral, nearly thirty auto loads and at least double that number of other conveyances, showed the respect in which he was held by the people of Decatur and the surrounding country. He was a man much more than ordinary intelligence, a deep thinker and thoroughly conscientious. His body was laid to rest in Lakeside Cemetery, July 18.