Jan "John" Antoni Goven

JOHN GOVEN - Is a native of Germany and forty-eight years of age (written about 1899). When a child of eight his parents located in Winona, Minn., and he was educated in the public schools of that city. Shortly after attaining his majority he was appointed deputy sheriff of Winona county, and held the position three years. After that a hotel in Red Wing and a saloon in St. Paul were successive ventures, followed by an appointment as assistant inspector of weights and measures. In 1887 he was made a patrolman and detailed to the Central Station. Officer Goven is not a tall man and of medium weight, but when it comes to dealing with a St. Paul thug the latter is not in it at all, as evidenced by two desperate encounters in which only a rare presence of mind, displayed in the capture of all firearms, saved his life. Another very narrow escape from death occurred when the veneered front of a building fell on him, while on duty. As it was he received only a few slight bruises. He lives at No. 707 De Soto st. (from: http://www.spphs.com/history/1899/chapter_4.php)