The son of William Scowden and his wife Mary Patterson Scowden.

He died sometime between the 1850 and 1860 censuses and was probably buried in Greendale cemetery along with others of his family, including his parents.

On the 1850 census, John and Mary were listed living very near his parents (house 71), brother William Jr. (house 72), and brother Theodorus (house 73):

1850 census, Vernon, Crawford, Pennsylvania
house 80
John Scowden M 34 Pennsylvania; carpenter
Mary Scowden F 25 Germany
Adeline Scowden F 7 Pennsylvania
Margt Scowden F 5 Pennsylvania in 1860 will be with grandparents
Ellen Scowden F 2 Pennsylvania

In 1860, John's widow Mary and his daughters were listed next door to brother Clark Scowden (house 273), two doors from Theodorus (house 276), and near John's parents William and Mary (house 269):

1860 census, Vernon Township, Crawford Co., PA, p. 40
House 274
Mary Scouden F 35 Germany
Adeline Scouden F 17 Pennsylvania
Margaret Scouden F 15 Pennsylvania
Mary Scouden F 12 Pennsylvania

Margaret was listed twice on the census, living in and helping out at her grandparents' home:

1860 census, Vernon Township, Crawford, Pennsylvania, p. 39
House 269
William Scouden M 69 Pennsylvania
Mary Scouden F 65 Pennsylvania
Margaret Scouden F 15 Pennsylvania
 
1870 census, Meadville Ward 3, Crawford Co., PA, p. 28
House 208
Mary Scowden, 45, keeping house, born Wurtemburg (Germany)
Ellen Fronst?, 22, boarding, b. PA; married in Sep 1869

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John Scowden and Mary's children:

1) Adeline Scowden, b.1843, Crawford Co., PA; 1860 at home with mother;

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2) Margaret Scowden, b. 1845, Crawford Co., PA; 1860 at home with mother;

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3) Ellen Scowden, b. 1848, Crawford Co., PA; 1860 at home with mother;

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