Laura Doan Sowash was born on January 3, 1871 to William H Doan (Civil War soldier held at Andersonville from August 1864 to April 1865) and Arminta Debord Doan. She was educated and grew to womanhood in Clark County, Iowa and married on December 25, 1890 to Frank Sowash in Patterson, Iowa. They had two children, Cliff and Lucille. She was primarily a homemaker and was called "Gammie" by her family. Always willing to help others, she was an active Presbyterian Church member and the pillar of the Sowash family after her husband Frank died suddenly in 1935. Her daughter Lucille took care of her in her later years, especially after her son Cliff died in 1956. Heaven is blessed to have this fine, gentle lady!