OBIT: Samuel Smith ROWSER, 1911, native of Blair County, PA

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DEATH OF S. S. ROWSER

Native of Martinsburg Died at His
Iowa Home - Lived in West Over
Half a Century - Was Pioneer
of Cedar County.

  Samuel Smith Rowser was born in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1826.  
He went to Iowa in 1844, first settling in Scott county, at Davenport.  In 
1848 he returned to Pennsylvania, remaining about four years.  In 1855 
returned to Davenport, Iowa, and in 1856 he moved to Red Oak Grove, Iowa, 
where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred June 6th, 1911.
  His wife died September 21, 1902.  Ten children were born in this home:  
six sons and four daughters, one son having died in infancy, there remain 
fives sons and four daughters to cherish the memory of a beloved father.  
There remains also two sisters and one brother, fifteen grandchildren and two 
great grandchildren.  He was the oldest of a family of four children, and the 
first of the four to die.
  This aged father was a life long member of the church, having joined the 
United Brethren church in 1852 and remained with that church as long as it 
continued in Red Oak Grove; then he united with the Presbyterian church.  His 
children believed in him.  One of his sons said, "My father was a man who 
lived his religion seven days in the week."  He was devoted to the church and 
the interests of God's Kingdom.  He was honored and loved, not only in his 
home but also by his friends, and all those whose good fortune it was to know 
him.  For several years he has been a helpless paralytic.  He was tenderly 
cared for by a daughter, who ministered to his every need.
  He was ready to go and the gates of the Eternal City opened wide to receive 
his spirit.  Fortunate indeed are the sons and daughters to have had a father 
whose memory is so precious to them.
  Several years ago Mr. Rowser visited Martinsburg when we learned to know 
him.  He possessed a retentive memory and told the editor of the Herald more 
of the early doings and history of Martinsburg than any other person.  The 
town had then undergone a complete change as to people living here, there 
being very few who lived here when Mr. Rowser was a resident, one of whom was 
Major Alex. Bobb.
  Mr. Rowser was one of the pioneers of Cedar county, Iowa, and the present 
generation now enjoy the fruits of the labors of the early settlers.  The 
funeral of Mr. Rowser was held Thursday, June 8, the services being held at 
the Red Oak church by Rev. W. B. Davis of Stanwood.

Martinsburg Herald, July 7, 1911