Background
John was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Joseph and Margaret Jane (née Graham) Gowdy. John married Elizabeth Thomspon 1 July 1902.
高智約翰
John was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Joseph and Margaret Jane (née Graham) Gowdy. John married Elizabeth Thomspon 1 July 1902.
John graduated in 1893 from the Tilton Seminary in Tilton, New Hampshire. He then earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1897 from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut. He graduated from Drew Theological Seminary in 1902 with the Bachelor of Divinity degree.
He then earned the Master of Arts degree in 1915 from Columbia University.
Baker University awarded him the honorary degree Doctor of Divinity in 1909. Wesleyan did as well in 1914.
Review Gowdy was also a member of the honorary fraternity Psi Upsilon.
He also distinguished himself as a missionary, an educator, and as a college and university president Following seminary graduation, he was ordained in the New Hampshire Annual Conference of the Mechanical Engineering Church. He was appointed a Missionary Teacher at the Anglo-Chinese College in Foochow, China, serving in this position 1902-1904.
He also was a Class Leader in the Heavenly Rest Methodist Church in the Foochow Annual Conference.
The Gowdy then became President of the Anglo-Chinese College in 1904, serving until 1923. He became President of the Fukien Christian University in 1923, serving there until 1927.
He also served as a trustee of both the Anglo-Chinese College, of Union Normal School in Foochow, and of the Tilton School in New Hampshire. He also served on the Boards of Managers of both Anglo-Chinese and of Fukien.
He served as a Bishop in this Central Conference until 1941.
Bishop Gowdy retired in 1941. He made his retirement home at 378 Victoria Avenue., Winter Park, Florida. He enjoyed history as a hobby and golf as a sport.
Review Gowdy was also a member of the honorary fraternity Psi Upsilon.
