The Rowe Family of Madison County, Iowa

Martin Rowe is honored as an old soldier, who also has the distinction of being one of the early settlers of this county and for many years was an active and progressive farmer. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of April, 1838, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Glassburner) Rowe, further mention of whom occurs in the sketch of Henry Rowe.

Martin Rowe gave his parents the benefit of his work until he was twenty-one years of age and then became a hired hand, thus beginning his independent business career. In 1863 he came to Madison county, Iowa, and in that same year enlisted at Davenport in Company L, Seventh Iowa V'volunteer Infantry, under Captain Rittan and Colonel John Sully. He served for two years and eight months and proved an excellent soldier, being mustered out at Sioux City. After the close of hostilities he went to Davis county, Iowa, and a year afterward again came to Madison county and bought eighty acres of improved land on section 15, Grand River township. He continued to reside there until January, 1914, when he retired and removed to Macksburg. He was very successful as an agriculturist and accumulated a competence which enables him to enjoy not only the comforts but also such of the luxuries of life as he desires. He has one of the finest homes in Macksburg and is vice president of the Macksburg National Bank. He added to his original holdings and acquired title to over a half section of excellent land, all of which he has sold or given to his sons. He was the first man to make a business of feeding cattle in Grand River township and his success in that line was instrumental in inducing many others to turn their attention to that business.

Mr. Rowe married Miss Becky Gray, a native of Ohio, who passed away about three years ago. To them were born five children: William, who is living in Macksburg; Elizabeth, the wife of W. P. Love, of Macksburg; A. H,, who is residing on the home farm; Delia, the wife of George Bodyguard, of Denver, Colorado; and Delia, who married Harry Glenn, a veterinary surgeon of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mr. Rowe's present wife was Miss Bertha Bonham, a daughter of David Bonham.

Mr. Rowe is a republican and has taken considerable part in the direction of public affairs. For many years he was township trustee; for twelve years served on the city council of Macksburg; and for nine years was school director. He has always discharged his official duties with ability and conscientiousness, and his record is a distinctly creditable one. His wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and was much interested in everything relating to its welfare. Mr. Rowe has at all times manifested a keen sense of his community obligations and his public spirit is one of his most marked characteristics. He has contributed liberally to the support of the church, and when the railroad was built to Macksburg made generous contributions toward the fund for securing it. He has done all within his power to further the welfare of the public schools and there is no good cause which he has refused to aid. His life has been a successful one, as he has not only gained a large measure of material prosperity but has also at all times proved himself a man of honor and integrity, and the respect and goodwill of his associates are freely accorded him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Henry Rowe was for many years a successful farmer but is now living in Macksburg and dealing in horses. Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of April, 1849, he is a son of Andrew Rowe, who was born in Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 27th of January, 1809. In 1822 the father came to the United States and eleven years later was united in marriage to Elizabeth Glassburner and they settled in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. They also lived in Westmoreland, Greene and Washington counties, that state, but in 1855 removed to Davis county. Iowa, where both spent the remainder of their lives. He was a farmer by occupation.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALLEN H. ROWE.

Allen H. Rowe, a farmer owning one hundred and fifty-nine acres on section 14, Grand River township, is a native of that township, born on the nth of September, 1870, a son of Martin Rowe, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject was reared upon the home farm and received his education in the public schools. When he was twenty-seven years of age he engaged in farming on his own account, buying one hundred and fifty-nine acres of land from his father, and he has since concentrated his energies upon its cultivation and development. The place is improved with a good set of buildings and everything is kept in excellent repair, as he is energetic and progressive. He does general farming and derives a good income from his labors, which are wisely directed.

Mr. Rowe married Miss Nellie Gattenby, a daughter of J. K. Gattenby, an account of whose life is given elsewhere in this work. To this marriage have been born four children; Kenneth; Rollin; Herman, who died in infancy; and Allen. Mr. Rowe gives his political allegiance to the republican party and takes the interest of a good citizen in everything relating to the public welfare. A native son of the county, he has resided here all of his life, believing that the opportunities offered are the equal of those to be found elsewhere.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.