| bio | Gowen, Stephen (1868-1932), was born in Haverhill, MA. (His father was a veteran of the Civil War.) He was
admitted with his sister to Alfred, ME, in March, 1881. He signed the covenant on March 7, 1891, while living at the
2nd F., Alfred, ME. After the death of Elder Joshua Bussell in 1900, Br. Stephen became the male lead but not the
elder there. Together with Brother Frank Butler, he was in charge of the garden, dairy and flagroot business, and
alternated duties with Elder Henry Green (from the Church F.), in meeting the train with bulk goods and selling milk,
butter, and eggs, to Boston. In November, 1917, the 2nd F. closed and merged with the Church F. He was then living
in the Brethren's Shop as caretaker of the boys. In 1927, Br. Stephen helped Br. Delmer Wilson with the merger of the
Alfred and Sabbathday Lake, ME, societies, making farm equipment inventories, choosing good equipment to move
to Sabbathday Lake, paying taxes, and helping with the move itself. Performing farming tasks, he still found time to
write poems, one of which he sent to Sr. Mildred Barker. Br. Stephen died in the Shaker faith at Sabbathday Lake,
ME, from Bright's disease. A quote from his obituary reads, "he was universally liked and respected for his sunny
disposition and strict integrity. He made many friends and never lost one" (Br. Wayne Smith, 1991).
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