Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by James R. Hindman jamesr@hindman.freeserve.co.uk USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2000 by James R. Hindman. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. jamesr@hindman.freeserve.co.uk USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. SUBJECT: ROWLAND Family SUBMITTER: James R. Hindman EMAIL: Jamesr@hindman.freeserve.co.uk DATE: June 12, 2000 SURNAMES: Bowser, Claypoole, Conrad, Craig, Crumb, Curry, Davis, Ellis, Evans, French, Hull, Jones, Jordan, Keller, Lukehart, Lydick, McDevitt, Michaels, Mikesell, Miller, Milliron, Mitchell, Morris, Neff, Neville, Nichols, Nolf, Reese, Rowland, Rundel, Shaffer, Simson, Stannard, Wagner, Wisinger as recorded by Prof. J. T. Stewart in Indiana County, Pennsylvania ~ Her People, Past and Present Published by J. H. Beers & Co., 1913 Transcribed by James R. Hindman ROWLAND. The Rowland family of southern Indiana county is well represented there at the present time, and its members have not only been substantial citizens who contributed to the material prosperity of the section but zealous church workers, associated with the Baptist denomination. Some of its members have entered the ministry of that church, Rev. Elias Rowland, a retired minister, now residing at Mechanicsburg, and Rev. Martin Luther Rowland, also retired and living in South Mahoning township, having done notable work in their day. The family is of Welsh origin. William Rowland, the first of the line in America, was a native of Wales, came to this country with his wife Elizabeth Ellis, and settled near Ebensburg, Pa. His son, Griffith Rowland, born in Wales about 1771, married Jane Jones, daughter of William Jones, and both the Jones and Rowland families came to America about 1795, settling first near Ebensburg, Pa. The Rowlands continued to make their home in Cambria county, locating about 1800 in Conemaugh township, where Mr. Rowland became a land owner and followed farming. Settling in the wilderness, he hewed out a home for himself and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1847, aged seventy-six years; he is buried in Bethel Church cemetery, near Ebensburg. His wife also died on the farm, and is buried in the same cemetery. Their children were: William; Maria, who married John Crumb and (second) Joseph Craig; Isaac, who married Elizabeth Keller; Jacob; Griffith J., who married Mary Mikesell and (second) Margaret Jordan, and died in 1871; John, who married Jane Conrad, and lived in Brushvalley township; and Eliza, who married Enoch Reese. William Rowland, son of Griffith, was born Oct. 3, 1801, in what was then Conemaugh (later Blacklick) township, Cambria County, where he grew to manhood and became engaged in farming, at first on the homestead. Settling on a farm in Blacklick township, Cambria county, among the first settlers of that section, he remained there about six years, following farming, and made extensive improvements on his place. Later, in 1838, he removed to South Mahoning township, Indiana county, buying a tract of 112 acres from Mr. Stannard which was all woods at the time. He built a log house, hewing the logs himself, put up a stable and set to work to clear his property, making extensive improvements on the farm, where he spent the rest of his days, dying there Aug 8, 1883. On April 12, 1832, he married Clarissa Rundel, who was born May 26, 1809, daughter of Gilbert and Amy (Nichols) Rundel, of Genessee county, N. Y., and died on the farm Aug. 5, 1897, aged eighty-eight years, two months, ten days. Her son, William S. Rowland cared for her in her declining years. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland were members of the Baptist Church, and were buried in the Baptist Church cemetery in Mahoning township. In politics he was a Whig and Republican. Thirteen children were born to this pioneer couple: Elias, born Feb. 16, 1833, is mentioned below; William S., born July 25, 1834, is mentioned below; John G., born Jan 16, 1836, married Tabitha Milliron; Isaac, born Aug. 28, 1837, married Susan Neville and (second) Mary French, and he died in the State of Washington; Jacob, born March 28, 1839, married Romina Curry and settled in Jefferson City, Mo., where he died; Emma Jane, born July 17, 1841, died young; Annie Maria, (deceased), born Jan. 30, 1843, married Isaac Wisinger, of Cambria county, Pa; Elizabeth, born Dec. 5, 1844, married Thomas Mitchell; Mary E., born July 12, 1846, is the widow of John Davis, who was a farmer and merchant of Nanty Glo, Pa.; Mahala, born March 23, 1849, died in infancy; Rev. Martin Luther, born Jan. 16, 1848, is mentioned below; Amanda, born Nov. 4, 1851, married Thomas Jones, and resides at Seattle, Wash.; Sarah Rebecca, born June 3, 1854, married Coleman Miller, and resides at Toledo, Ohio. The eldest five sons of this family, Elias, William S., John G., Isaac and Jacob, were soldiers in the Civil war, and John G. died of starvation in Salisbury prison, where he was confined for six months. REV. ELIAS ROWLAND, the grand old man of Mechanicsburg, a retired minister of the Baptist Church, though in his eighty-first year is still active in mind and body, and after years of fruitful labor in the Lord's vineyard can look back in his declining years with pleasure and pride to the good work that he has accomplished. His life has not been lived in vain. Mr. Rowland was born in Blacklick township, Cambria county, spent his boyhood days on the farm and attended the local school, but most of his education he gained by reading and observation, becoming a well-read man. He continued on the farm until 1852, when he found employment in the Cambria Iron Works, at Johnstown, working there some time. Then he turned his attention to farming, which he followed for eight years. Wishing to follow a professional life he took up the study of medicine with Dr. J. R. Morris and was preparing to attend medical lectures when he enlisted, June 13, 1863, in Company A, Battalion of Emergency Men, serving until Lee was driven across the Potomac. He was discharged Aug. 8, 1863. On March 31, 1864, he again enlisted, becoming a member of Company K, 187th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the 5th Army Corps, and took part in the battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, second engagement on the Weldon railroad, and Fort White. He was discharged at Harrisburg Aug. 3, 1865. Returning home he again took up farming, in Cambria county, where he also served as justice of the peace for nearly thirty years. Meantime he turned his attention to the study of theology, and in 1892 he was licensed to preach. In 1896 he was ordained a minister of the gospel, and began to preach at Bethel Baptist Church, in Cambria county, where he continued until the early part of the present century, at that time coming to Mechanicsburg. There he has made his home ever since, and he preached here for several years. He is now retired, but still active mentally and physically, and preaches occasionally. While justice of the peace he had the remarkable record of having all his judgments sustained by the courts. At Mechanicsburg he has served as member of the borough council, and for the last four years he has served as burgess of the borough. he is a man of genial personality, and strong character. Mr.Rowland is a firm believer in temperance. On Nov. 28, 1854, Mr. Rowland married Isabelle Wilson Simson, daughter of Levi Simson, and she died June 23, 1911, after a married life of nearly fifty-seven years. She was a good Christian woman, a devoted wife and mother, a loving helpmate, and a sweet influence for good in her home and in the community. She was her husband's sympathetic associate in his Christian work and much of his pleasure in its performance was due to her kindly co-operation. She is buried at Bethel, Cambria county, Pa., Children as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rowland: John Luther, born Jan. 29, 1856, died Oct. 14, 1869. James E., born June 9, 1858, died Dec. 28, 1903, married Alice Keller and left a family of one son and five daughters, all living. Isaac E., born June 14, 1861, died Sept. 14, 1865. Alvah H., born April 30, 1866, died Aug 27, 1907, married Rosy J. Michaels and left a family of two sons and three daughters, three of whom are deceased. Austin E., born May 21, 1869, died April 5, 1874. Harvey Chalmers, born July 23, 1873, was educated in the Cambria county public schools and taught school for some time. He is now engaged in the jewelry business, and also as an electric mechanic. A young man of inventive mind and a genius in his line, he is making a success of his work and is a much respected citizen. He lived at home until his marriage, June 26, 1913, to Alice C. Shaffer, daughter of the late John Shaffer of Brushvalley, Pa., the marriage ceremony being performed by the Rev. Elias Rowland, assisted by Rev. P. O. Wagner. Rev. Mr. Rowland is a Republican, and for some twenty-five years or more served on the board of school directors, much of the time acting as secretary of the body. He has taken an active interest in all matters of a literary or educational nature. Socially he is a member of the G. A. R. WILLIAM S. ROWLAND, a well-known and successful farmer, of South Mahoning township, Indiana county, was born July 25, 1834, in what is now Blacklick (then Cambria) township, Cambria county, and was quite young when the family moved to Indiana county. When he was about seven years old he went to live with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Reese, in Blacklick township, Cambria county, where he continued to make his home for five years, attending school there. Returning to the parental home he remained but a short time, going from there to Brushvalley township, Indiana county, to live with his uncle John Rowland, near Mechanicsburg, spending a period of eight years there. During that time he also had opportunity to attend school. After his return home he became a student at the Dayton academy, and then taught school for one term in West Mahoning township, Indiana county. He went back home again, and was engaged in farming until 1864, when he enlisted in Company B, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in which command his brother Jacob was also a private; it was under command of Colonel McCormack and was attached to the Army of the Cumberaland. Mr. Rowland served until the close of the war, being discharged at Nashville in 1865, and coming home he settled down to farming on the homestead, buying the property from his parents, for whom he cared during their remaining days. He made extensive improvements on the farm, putting up a new home, barn and other buildings, and continued to reside there for the next forty years, following farming and stock raising. In 1904 he sold the farm and bought the smaller tract on the Smicksburg and Plumville road which he now occupies, this being fifty-two acres formerly known as the Bracken farm. He has remodeled the house and made other improvements, the appearance of this home and surroundings denoting the thrift characteristic of the owner. Though he has never sought office, preferring to devote his time to his own affairs, Mr. Rowland has served as supervisor of his township, and he was also school director for one term, when the first Davis school was built. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but now associated with the Prohibition party, being a strong advocate of temperance and a stanch supporter of the cause. For some years Mr. Rowland was an active member of the G. A. R. Post at Plumville. In 1861 Mr. Rowland was married to Mary Jane Lukehart, who was born in 1837, in Indiana county, Pa, daughter of Jacob and Lena (Davis) Lukehart, and died Oct. 25, 1884, the mother of seven children, namely: Emery Prescott, who makes his home near Jefferson City, Mo.; John Davis, a meat dealer of Marion Center, Pa., Elvena Bertha, wife of Jesse E. McDevitt and residing in Punxsutawney, Pa.; Ira Curtin, a carpenter and builder, of Pittsburg; Homer, who died young; Allura Estelle, who died young; and Clara, who married John Lydick and died in North Mahoning township, Indiana county, in 1912. In 1888 Mr. Rowland married (second) Lydia Agnes Lukehart, sister of his first wife, and to this union have been born three children: Mayme Tessie, who married George Nolf and resides in Apollo, Pa.; Olive Lenora, who is a dressmaker at home; and William Clair, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland are valued members of the Mahoning Baptist Church, which he has served as deacon, and he has also been a faithful Sunday school worker, serving as teacher and superintendent. REV. MARTIN LUTHER ROWLAND, youngest son of William Rowland, was born Jan 16, 1848, in South Mahoning township, Indiana county, on the old homestead now owned by McKee Wilson, and attended the local schools. Remaining at home until he was fourteen years old, he then went to Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, where he worked a short time for a Dr. Wood, after which he went to Blacklick township, Cambria county, and engaged in shookmaking for four years. While there he became converted, under the preaching of Rev. J. W. Evans, a Baptist minister who preached at Bethel Church, and was baptized by him when eighteen years old. Meantime returning home he remained on the homestead with his father while his five brothers were serving their country in the Civil war. Wishing to become a minister of the gospel, he attended Reed's Institute at Reedsburg, Clarion county, Pa., taking a preparatory course, of three years, and was licensed to preach in 1870, delivering his first sermon in Williamsburg schoolhouse, two miles from the institute. He was ordained Oct. 14, 1874, at the old Pine Creek Church, in the Clarion Association, by Rev. Aaron Neff, moderator, and Rev. W. S. Bowser, clerk of the council, with laying on of hands by seven other ministers. For the next five years he was pastor of the Pine Creek Church, where he built the present house of worship, during that time also preaching two years at the Franklin Union Church, and two years at the Red Bank Church, of the Clarion Association. For one year following he was preacher at the West Lebanon Baptist Church, and from there went to the Fairview Church and the Shiloh Church, in the Indiana Association, preaching at the former for six years and at the latter four years. From there he transferred to the Twolick Church, where he remained five years, at the end of that period going to the Baptist Church at Spencerville, Allen county, Ohio, in the Auglaize Association, serving that one year and the Mount Zion Church for six months. He next preached six months at Ada, Ohio, returning to Pennsyvlania at the end of that time because of the ill health of his wife and child, taking the pastorate of the Old Union Baptist Church, south of Kittanning, Armstrong county, for one year. That was in the Clarion Association. From there he went to Leechburg, same county, for two years, thence back to the Twolick Church (where he had formerly served five years) for seven years, during the latter part of that period also serving as pastor of the Baptist Churches at Blairsville and East Mahoning -- two years at each place. Then he resigned to become pastor of the Sugar Creek Church in the Monongahela Association, being there one year and subsequently at Monongahela Union four years. While there he organized the Baptist Church at Mount Morris and was pastor of the Zora Church one year in Monongalia county, W. Va., and also built an out station. Resigning from that charge he returned to the bounds of the Indiana Association, where he lived five years. Then he became pastor of the Mount Zion Church in Butler, Pa., for three years, having an assistant there. Returning to Indiana county, he has since made his home on a small farm in South Mahoning township, east of Plumville. Since settling here he has served the Twolick Church for about four years, and has also supplied at West Mahoning and Crooked Creek Churches, and Ambrose Baptist Church. Mr. Rowland has been preaching for about forty years altogether, and has done notable work in this section for his denomination. He is a stanch advocate of temperance, and has taught its principles wherever and whenever possible. In political sentiment he is a Republican. On May 6, 1874, Mr. Rowland was married to Nannie A. Hull, daughter of James and Nancy (Bell) Hull, and they have had four children: Emma Bell, born May 4, 1875, died young; Clara Ross, born April 30, 1877, died when five months old; Wilda D., born Aug. 20 1879, graduated from the State normal school in 1896, and taught nine terms of school, four in the borough of Kittanning, Pa., and married H. H. Claypoole Aug. 7, 1912; William James Mentor, born July 14, 1881, is at home.