Biography of James W Rowe Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess County, Chapman Brothers 1889 Rowe, James W. This esteemed and honored representative farmer of East Galena Township, who is one of the oldest settlers, comes of that sturdy English stock of which so many creditable members are to be found in this part of the county. In May, 1842, he located on the farm on sections 1 and 2 , which has ever since been his home, and which at that time was pre-emption claim owned by a Mr. Batten. The father of our subject entered it from the Government in 1847. All the improvements upon it have been made by our subject, who subsequently added 120 acres to it, giving him a farm of 280 acres in all, well stocked, and with buildings admirably fitted for farm purposes, the land being all under cultivation, and altogether making one of the best properties in this part of the township. Mr. Rowe is a progressive farmer, and one branch of his business is raising of road horses, in which both he and his sons excel. Our subject was born in the Parish of Camden, Cornwell County, England, Feb. 18, 1825. His parents George and Elizabeth (Roberts) Rowe, both being natives of the same parish; the father by occupation being a miner. This couple had seven children, namely: William, John, Elizabeth, George Jr., James W., Jane, and Mary A.; all of whom came to this country with their parents; the three eldest, William, John, and Elizabeth, being married before they left England. They embarked at Falmouth, in the year 1842, on a sailing-vessel, and after a rough voyage of six weeks and three days landed at New York City. They came across the country, and by the lakes to Chicago, thence driving overland to Galena, the father afterwards locating a home on sections 1 and 2, in East Galena Township, which comprises a part of the homestead of our subject. They had their residence on the former section, and there both father and mother died. The death of the father occurred in 1847, just after he had returned from Dixon, Ill., where here he had gone to buy his land of Uncle Sam. While making this trip he contacted a severe cold, which terminated in lung-fever, and he died after a short illness, at the age of sixty-one years. His wife survived him fifteen years, dying in 1862. She and her husband were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Sometimes after his decease she was again married, and at the time of her death had reached the age of three-score years and ten. James W. Rowe was reared in his native county, and had but few opportunities to acquire an early education. He has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary A. Gribble, who had come from Cornwell, England with her parents when seven years old, and had been reared in this county. She died at the birth of her first child, and mother and babe were buried in one coffin. At the time of her death she was twenty-five years old , and was a lady of many domestic accomplishments, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The second wife of Mr. Rowe was Mrs. Mary A. Hamlin, a daughter of John and Ellen (O'Neill) Conley, native of Ireland, where Mrs. Rowe was born Aug. 15, 1823. After the birth of most of their children the parents removed to Manchester, England, and in 1845 came with their family to this country, landing in New York City. They came to Galena by way of Chicago, and in East Galena Township both Mr. Rowe and Mrs. Conley died, ripe in years. Both were devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church. The first marriage of Mrs. Mary A Rowe was to Fred Hamlin a native of the United States, and a miner by trade who, after his marriage, lived in Grant County, Wis., where he died, leaving his widow and two children, Hester and Mary J., the formed who died in infancy. The latter became the wife of Hubbard Meyer, and is also deceased, leaving two sons. By her union with our subject Mrs. Rowe became the mother of seven children. Of the eldest, John A., a sketch appears on another page in this volume; James, who is a farmer in Grant County, Wis., is married to Mary A. Bennett; Catherine is the wife of Hubbard Meyer, who is a shoe manufacture in Galena, Ill.; Ellen, George, Joseph, and Regina are under the parental roof. The family are all members of St. Micheal's Roman Catholic Church in Galena, and his residence of nearly half a century in this county has made Mr. Rowe not only one of its oldest, but also one of its best-known and most highly respected citizens, held in esteem alike for his genial qualities and upright character. In political views our subject has always been a stanch supporter of the principles promulgated by the Jeffersonian democracy. The residence occupied by Mr. Rowe, which is so well known, is illustrated by the accompanying view. ------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. 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