OBIT: Frederick ROWE, Sr., 1943, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
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FREDERICK ROWE SR.

Frederick Rowe Sr. Life's Work Ended At Ripe Age of 82
Pioneer Expert Coal Miner Dead After Long And Honorable Career

  Frederick E. Rowe, Sr., the first man to pass an examination as a coal mining 
foreman in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed away at his home at 125 
Meyers Avenue, Thursday afternoon, May 20, after a long illness.
  He was a native of England, born at Bishop Auckland, County Durham, December 
5, 1860, but came to this country with his parents, John and Frances (James) 
Rowe, when 10 years old.  The family located in Illinois, where he grew to 
manhood and became an expert coal miner. 
  He was married in 1882 to Miss Clara Burnside, at Braidwood, Ill.  Soon after 
their first child, Clyde, was born, Mr. Rowe came to Pennsylvania to work in the 
bituminous coal mines in the western part of this state.  He left his wife and 
child in Illinois until he could find a suitable location to establish a home.  
He worked in two different coal regions, for short periods, before he came to 
Somerset County to accept employment as a mine foreman at Keystone Mines, two 
miles south of Meyersdale.  The late E. J. Weld of Meyersdale, who was also a 
native of England, gave him his first employment in that capacity, in 1883.
  Mr. Rowe was the first man to qualify as a licensed mine foreman under a new 
Pennsylvania law.  He served the Keystone Coal Company faithfully and well for 
several years and then leased some coal lands and embarked in business as a coal 
miner and shipper on his own account.
  His wife and child joined him at Keystone Mines soon after he secured 
employment there.  About 43 1/2 years ago Mr. and Mrs. Rowe established their 
home in Meyersdale and lived here ever since.  All of their children, except the 
oldest son, Clyde, were born here.  During all those years they were sterling 
and highly esteemed citizens of this town.
  For many years Mr. Rowe was a successful and prosperous coal operator of coal 
mines in the southern part of this county, notably in Elk Lick, Summit and 
Brothersvalley townships.
  He retired from business some years ago to conserve his health, which began to 
fail after he had lived the traditional three score years and ten.  He served as 
president of the borough council for some time, and also served one term as 
borough assessor.  He was a Republican in politics and before the turn of the 
century, was urged by friends to become a candidate for election to the 
Pennsylvania General Assembly, but he failed to get elected at the primary and 
could not be persuaded to try again.
  Surviving Mr. Rowe is his devoted life companion for more than 60 years, she 
is but a few months younger than he was.  The couple who lived harmoniously and 
happily together for more than three score years, celebrated their 60th wedding 
anniversary in 1942.
  They were blessed with seven sons and one daughter, namely Clyde, mentioned 
above, residing at Westernport, Md.; Clarence, Meyersdale; Frederick E. Jr., 
Wynnewood, Pa.; Harry, Mt. Lebanon; Llewellyn, Oak Park, Ill.; Ralph, Chicago, 
Ill.; Frank, Los Angeles, Cal., and Clara, Mrs. Herbert N. Tubbs, Cleveland, O.
  He also leaves 13 grandchildren and two brothers and two sisters - William R. 
and Matthew Rowe, and Mrs. Mary Beynon, all of Johnstown, and Mrs. Hannah 
Finnegan, Meyersdale.
  All of his children were here to attend his funeral.  All of those living away 
from here, have returned to their homes, except Mrs. Tubbs, who is remaining 
with her mother for the present.
  Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Rowe 
home by Rev. Nelson C. Brown, pastor of Amity Evangelical and Reformed Church, 
and Rev. John B. Warman, pastor of the Methodist Church.  Interment in Union 
Cemetery under the direction of W. C. Price & Son.

Meyersdale Republican, May 27, 1943