Background
Mcgowan, Samuel was born on September 1, 1870 in Laurens, South Carolina, United States. Son of Homer L. and Julia Ann (Farrow) M.
Mcgowan, Samuel was born on September 1, 1870 in Laurens, South Carolina, United States. Son of Homer L. and Julia Ann (Farrow) M.
Bachelor of Arts, University of South Carolina., 1889, Bachelor of Laws, 1891 (Doctor of Laws, 1918). Unmarried. Appointed assistant p.m. United States Navy, March 15, 1894.
Passed assistant p.m., March 30, 1895.
P.m., May 5, 1899; pay inspector, May 11, 1906. P.m. general of the Navy and chief Bureau Supplies and Accounts with rank of rear admiral, July 1, 1914.
Promoted to permanent rank of rear admiral, August 29, 1916. Paymaster general of the navy and chief supply officer throughout the World War.
Voluntarily retired, December 31, 1920.
He was later commissioned assistant paymaster 15 March 1894. He became Fleet Paymaster for the United States Atlantic Fleet, 1908–1910, acquiring that position in San Francisco when the fleet, later known as the Great White Fleet, was at that port of call during its 1907-1909 round-the-world cruise. lieutenant is believed that $800,000 (1909 face value) United States Navy funds that were lost aboard Rated Maximum Sinusoidal Republic when that vessel sank in 1909 were requisitioned by Fleet Paymaster McGowan.
The funds were to be delivered to the Fleet at Gibraltar.
On 1 July 1914, he was appointed Paymaster General and Chief of the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts with the rank of rear admiral. Holding that office until his retirement in 1920, he was awarded the for the preparation and execution of plans to maintain the fleets during World War I. Following his military career he became the first Highway Commissioner of South Carolina.
He did not drive but managed to travel the world three times over. He died 11 November 1934 at Laurens.
In 1943, the destroyer United States Ship McGowan (Doctor of Divinity-678) was named in his honor.
He also was a Charter Member of the Tau Chapter of the Chi Phi Fraternity at the University of South Carolina in 1889.