Henry Gowen

Henry Gowen
Biography
Full Name	Henry Gowen
Gender	Male
Relatives	Christopher Hughes (son) Rachel Hughes (daughter-in-law)
Romances	Nora Avery Abigail Stanton
Occupation	Advisor to Governor Bouchard Hazelnut Gardener
Residence	Hope Valley
Production
Seasons	1 - 11
Episodes	101
First	“Lost and Found”
Portrayed by	Martin Cummins

Henry Gowen is a main character in the Hallmark drama When Calls the Heart. He is portrayed by Martin Cummins.

Background

Henry grew up poor, and was not close with his father, who eventually left the family. He became driven to succeed at any cost, which led to some poor choices. At some point, he got married and became a father to Christopher. Unfortunately, the marriage fell apart, and after the divorce, Christopher was raised by his mother and stepfather. Henry became the manager of the mine in Coal Valley. He knew of the unsafe conditions and tried to warn the company, but his concerns were not heeded. This resulted in a serious collapse that cost the lives of 47 miners. Henry felt personally responsible for this tragedy, and was haunted by it.

Storyline

Season 1

Gowen continues to make shady and self-serving business decisions throughout the first season. Four months after the deaths of the 46 coal miners Gowen attempts to evict the widows from their row houses. Abigail convinces the widows to work in the mines and convinces Gowen to allow them to do so in exchange for residence. When Elizabeth Thornton finds a way to stop this eviction by having the widows paint their homes and buys all the painting supplies from the mercantile, Gowen rides into town and claims the mercantile owner, Ned, has forgotten that all of his paint supplies were already spoken for by the mining company - which is a lie.

However, it did not stop the widows from keeping their homes. With the help of other townswomen and the children (who make sandwiches), the widows managed to clear the shaft within the 14 days timeline set by Gowen to keep their homes.

Midway through the first season, Gowen begins a professional relationship with Abigail Stanton. Abigail reopens the miners' cafe and renames it Abigail’s Cafe. Gowen agrees to let her reopen the cafe if she moves out of her row house and split the cafe’s profits with him 50/50. After much consideration, she agrees. Gowen appears to be romantically interested in Abigail but she makes it abundantly clear that she is not interested in him.

Season 2

He tries to make things difficult for Leland Coulter by abusing his power. They bet on poker and Rosemary helped him win.

He was apparently in love with Nora Avery. They tried to start a relationship after Nora’s divorce with Bill Avery, but after repeatedly getting into trouble, Gowen getting arrested once, and getting into a car accident, Nora leaves permanently, and it is unclear as to why.

Season 3

Gowen is still abusing his power as mayor by raising rent on settlers at the settlement area. He is nice to Dottie Ramsey as he appoints her to be his secretary.

Season 4

Gowen is unable to serve as mayor due to ongoing investigations against him. He attempts to make himself useful by offering his services to to those who might need him.

Throughout the season, Gowen schemes to reinstate himself as mayor and was successful. His return as mayor was short-lived until he was rearrested again. He made a deal with the hope of a lighter sentence.

Season 5

Gowen was offered by Eleanor Roberts to run a competing saw mill. He accepted the offer thinking it will be a new start for him, but later found out he was offered the job due to his criminal past and was meant to steal client information from Leland Coulter's saw mill business. He agreed, stole the information and passed it to the investor. It was later revealed he was working together with Bill Avery, who proceeds to arrest Eleanor for trying to steal business property. Lee is grateful and offers him a promotion as a thank you for saving his business.

Season 6

In the Season 6 Christmas Special, Henry befriended an orphaned girl named Millie, who asked him to read her a story. It’s eventually revealed that she took to him because he reminded her of her father.

A old letter from the management of the mining company re-surfaced, signed by J Smith. Henry Gowen had written to the mining company regarding safety concerns. Unfortunately his concerns were brushed off and the matter closed. He has been living with guilt all these years because of the 47 men he lost due to the mining explosion.

Season 7

Henry continued as a solitary figure in Hope Valley, suffering under the guilt of his part in the mine disaster and the weight of losing out on a relationship with Abigail Stanton whom he loved.

Season 8

Gowen's Oil

In season 8, Henry is no longer in the oil company business but is staying closely informed. Mike Hickam informs Henry and Lucas Bouchard of a new way of 'shooting the well', which uses dynamite to create an explosion allowing trapped oil to come to the surface. Lucas asked Henry if this is something he'd consider doing, but Henry thinks this is very dangerous and an act of life or death. Henry discusses a partnership with Lucas again offering to get his hands dirty as oil is a dirty business. Lucas is surprised by Henry's change of heart but doesn't accept the partnership offer which was Henry holding the majority of the oil company and him making the big decisions. Lucas and Henry once again talk business. Lucas said he cannot agree to all the terms but does think they can work together. Unfortunately Henry is distracted by the returned letter and says he will talk about it later which surprises Lucas as Henry seemed so eager earlier.

When the oil rig caught on fire, Henry drove towards the explosion. Henry knew what to do to stop the explosion. You needed to use dynamite to counteract the flames. The men and Fiona, all push a heavy cart filled with dynamite towards the fire. They use a metal piece a shield but still it's dangerous. Then as fast as they can, scramble back to a safe distance. It worked and the oil rig is saved.

Lucas meets up with Henry asking him if he's willing to come back to the oil company. Henry agrees so Lucas gives him a key. He visits his office happy to be there again.

At the oil ring, Christopher and Henry both step in to help. Henry explains to his son who thought he spent all day in an office, that the men must know that you understand the job so they won't take advantage of you. He offers Christopher to go back home but Christopher wants to stay with Henry and learn. Then Lucas lets Christopher know while there might be money in oil, in this rig there isn't right now but Lucas hopes Henry can change that.

Henry decides to leave town so leaves the oil rig to Mike Hickam. They seal the deal with a handshake.

Henry's Health

Henry is expecting a letter and the first time it arrives it is open. Henry is greatly upset thinking Ned and Florence opened it despite them denying it. He gets so upset his blood pressure goes up and he stumbles because of it. Carson is greatly concerned asking him to come to the infirmary and get it checked. Henry reluctantly agrees. When Henry is feeling better, he apologizes to Ned and Florence for accusing them of opening his mail. He gives Florence flowers as an "I'm Sorry."

Henry collapsing during lunch and is brought to the infirmary by a distraught Christopher who does not know of his high blood pressure. Christopher is explained about it by Carson and Faith. Henry never told anyone, not even Lucas who gets accused by Christopher of being responsible if anything happened to his dad.

Henry's son

Henry's son Christopher, came to Hope Valley. Their greeting was tense. Henry told Christopher to leave town. Christopher does not leave town and instead goes to see him at the oil company. Christopher makes a comment about the ironic fact that the oil company is called Gowen's when Henry lost the business that he loved. Henry is upset clearly and says he does not have the time to make amends for all his mistakes but offers Christopher his hand. Christopher refuses to shake it and leaves instead. Finally Henry sees Christopher is still in town. He says that he'd like to stay if that's ok with Henry and they shake hands. Henry then introduces Christopher to Elizabeth as 'his son.' Henry and Christopher still don't always see eye to eye. Henry scolds Christopher for being late for breakfast.

Henry had written to Christopher but the letter was returned unopened. He was amazed at the fact that once he had his fainting spell, Christopher showed how much he cared. Christopher and Henry discuss bad behavior starting with the fact Christopher's friend stole the car and then Christopher took it from his friend. He said he is beyond the bad behavior. Henry hopes Rachel does for Christopher as Abigail did for him. Christopher asks what happened to Abigail and he said she left to care for her mother and he's unsure if she will ever return.

It was revealed he had a son whom Lucas brought to town to keep an eye on him as Henry reengaged with the oil business. Whether or not Lucas knew Christopher was Henry's son at the time isn't known. He found Christopher's name in some papers Henry left at the oil company when Lucas took it over to keep it from going bankrupt. Henry and Lucas made up after Lucas confessed his role in bringing Christopher to town. Bill goes to talk to Christopher to find out he left to find Rachel. So Bill goes to talk to Henry who has nothing more to offer. After Henry hears about the footprint in the car, he exchanges shoes with Christopher, then burns the shoes so the case is closed. Christopher leaves town to go visit Rachel.

Henry lets Hickam and Lucas know he is taking some time off. Henry goes to get mail and gets a letter from his son, Christopher. He has found Rachel and they are happy together. He sent pictures of them together and started the letter with "Dad" and ended it with, "PS. I love you."

Henry's departure

Henry jokes he's going to run for mayor but really he's planning on leaving saying, "people come and go." He prepares a list for Bill stating it's in case anyone ever wants to build a case against the mine. Bill notices Henry's name is on it and tells Henry if he is convicted, he will go to jail. He felt that Henry is trying to clean up things and get a clean slate to say goodbye. Before he leaves, he looks at the sign "Abigail's Cafe" before driving away.

Henry's friends

Henry sells his cabin to Joseph and his family.

Henry for Ned and Florence's wedding, gives a scared Ned the advice that he is a good man and should be able to get married whenever he wants to get married. Ned is touched and asked Henry to be the best man. When Ned asks Henry what Florence sees in him, Henry replies, "it's a gift when one sees something in the other that one cannot see themselves."

Lucas meets up with Henry and tries to talk him into not leaving. Henry says the saloon, the hotel and the business does not matter. Lucas wonders outloud, 'What does matter?" Henry isn't sure but he is determined to find out rather than accept some fleeting pleasure. He wants to find out what will bring him true comfort. Lucas wishes him luck. Henry pauses to look at Abigail's cafe sign then drives off.

Season 9

Henry returned from visiting with Abigail. He arrived without Abigail and seemed quite unhappy. When Lucas wanted to bring an investor into Gowen Petroleum to help facilitate expansion, Henry was angry to find out that the investor was Jerome Smith (the same man who wrote the letter ignoring Henry's concerns over the safety of the mine). Lucas was completely in the dark about the relationship when Fiona Miller brought him back after being sent to find an investor. It was only after she returned with a check in hand obligating them to deal with Smith (now for all of Lucas's shares since he decided to sell entirely) that he found out the truth. By then it was too late. At the end of the day, the original Gowen owners were forced to deal with the unscrupulous Smith. Henry and Smith get into a fist fight in the salon finishing with Henry in jail. Charges were dropped leaving Henry feeling unsettled. Henry, at Elizabeth's request, speaks to the children of the school about fighting stating, "If we hurt one another, we all just end up in pain."

Henry finds out Smith plans to reopen the mines but much to the dismay of the grieving widows, agrees to stay with the company. The widows are angry especially Florence who slaps him across the face calling him a "hateful man". Henry determines the mine is not structurally sound. Smith double-crossed Henry into thinking that if the mine wasn't safe they'd pivot away from the idea so Henry agreed to stay with the company. When it is made known how really unsafe the coal mines are, Henry is convinced they should not reopen. At the end of the day Henry took matters into his own hands, exploding the mine and shutting it down forever. Henry confesses to Bill that the blew up the mine and is encouraged to leave town. Henry turns himself in and is brought back to Hope Valley where he was counted a Hope Valley hero. He made peace with God on his knees in a jail cell, noting that it felt as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Season 10

In 1920, Henry remained in Hope Valley, but had lost a sense of purpose and direction after blowing up the mine. He was prepared to stand trial and was even willing to face jail again in hopes of finding some inner peace. After the charges were dropped, Henry felt like he’d been robbed of his chance to atone for what he’d done, even though it had worked out for the benefit of the town. When the mine blew up, it had created hot springs which became a tourist destination and source of revenue for Hope Valley, which had been experiencing economic hardship.

Joseph and Bill took it upon themselves to help Henry by telling him he’d been assigned to community service. Henry knew this wasn’t true, and said so, but was willing to do it all the same. Henry ended up spending most of his time caring for the horses at the livery and building a small park for the children. He also helped the children build planter boxes.

While working in the livery one day, Henry was surprised to see Elizabeth run in, looking for Nathan’s horse Newton. He was the only witness to her panic attack after she realized Nathan could be in danger. Henry also saw how relieved Elizabeth was when Nathan made it back safely. The following day, Henry gently confronted Elizabeth and asked her to consider her feelings, but she denied it.

One day, Henry was fixing the roof at Coulter Lumber/The Valley Voice and became an unexpected babysitter to Goldie when Rosemary had to run a time-sensitive errand. When Lee and Rosemary returned, they saw Henry lovingly holding Goldie and singing to her. This led to them asking Henry to be her godfather. At first, he declined, but after talking with Elizabeth, he decided to accept.

Season 11

In 1921, Henry did some traveling. One of his stops was to visit Abigail, who wanted him to find happiness. When Henry returned to Hope Valley, he decided to care for the hazelnut trees behind the cafe. Abigail had tended the trees when she lived at the cafe, and had used the hazelnuts in her baking. Henry was finding some peace and contentment living a more slow-paced life, away from the rigors of the business world, which he'd come to dislike. More specifically, Henry didn't like who he became when he did business, and wanted to stay away from that life.

However, other things lay in store for Henry. Lucas asked him several times to join his political team, as Lucas realized he needed another advisor besides Edwin, who was singularly focused on Lucas's approval ratings and getting the resort built at any cost. Henry asked Joseph for advice. Joseph reminded him that he had a lot of wisdom and life experience to share, and Henry finally agreed to join Lucas's team. Henry and Edwin clashed over the resort, as it became evident that it was no longer a good idea. During the turbulent events surrounding the resort project, Henry remained in Lucas's corner, supporting him when possible but also giving his honest opinion when he disagreed.

Relationships

Family

• Christopher Hughes (Son)
• Rachel Thom (daughter-in-law)
• Marigold Coulter (goddaughter)

Romances

• Abigail Stanton: Their relationship had a rocky beginning since Abigail’s husband had worked closely with Henry and had died in the mine disaster. At first, Henry made life difficult for Abigail and the other widows. As time went on, Abigail became a source of strength and support for Henry as she believed in him and wanted to see him become a better man. She also made him want to be a better man. By season 6, their relationship was friendly and there was a hint of feelings developing between them before Abigail had to leave town to help her mother. After she left, Abigail and Henry wrote letters to each other. He visited her at the end of season 8 and again at the end of season 10.
• Nora Avery:

Friends

• Bill Avery
• Elizabeth Thornton

Quotes

• Henry: "Look, the oil business is a relentless, cutthroat thing. You know that by now. I'm willing to get my hands dirty." Lucas: "Meaning?" Henry: "Meaning whatever you want it to mean. But I think you understand. So, here's my proposal. I will double your crude output in the next year. or I will walk away." Lucas: "And what happens if you do double production?" Henry: "Then I become majority owner at 60%, and you let me handle it how I like."
• "If we hurt one another, we all just end up in pain."

Trivia

• Despite being an unethical business and shady person, he has a kind heart which he hardly displays. He went the extra mile to fetch Becky so that she could spend Christmas at Hope Valley instead of being stuck due to the snow storm.
• He also read books to the children from the orphanage in the season 5/6 holiday special episode.

Gallery