Jean M.T. Gower

GOWER, Jean Milne Taylor.  b. Ionia, Michigan, 7 September 1868; d. Great Barrington, Massachusetts, 4 November 1957. The composer of the hymn tune LIVERMORE, and at least two hymn texts, Gower was better known as a poet, author of short plays, and an animal-rights activist. She was the wife of organist and hymn tune composer John Henry Gower*. The Gowers appear to be the only American married couple who both published hymn tunes before 1900.  Jean Taylor’s parents were George Philo Taylor (1837-1882) and Hannah Beckwith Taylor (1842-1877).  In 1871, Jean’s grandmother, Jean Beckwith (1818-1894) and her brother, Archibald Ramsey Milne (1824-1907) bought a small cattle ranch on the north...