BIOGRAPHIES:  John C. ROWLAND, Barron Township, Barron Co., WI

***********************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in
any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or
persons.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,
must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal
representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb
archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission
to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.

Submitted by:  Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  24 February 2004
***********************************************************************

John C. Rowland, now deceased, veteran of the Civil War, and for many
years a prominent figure in the life of Barron Township, had an important
part in the development of this region. As chairman of the township for
many years during the days of its early progress, he did most efficient
service, both for the town and for the county. He was especially active in
laying out and improving roads. He foresaw the possibilities of the county,
and with keen judgment realized that agriculture could never be
successfully conducted with profit to the farmer, unless the roads were
such as to make marketing safe and easy. Accordingly, he devoted much of
his attention to development along these lines. He was a real leader among
his fellows and his judgment was often sought by his neighbors in personal
as well as in public affairs. He took much joy in his home and in his
family, he was a good and useful citizen in every respect, and his death on
Nov. 1, 1914, was sincerely mourned. John C. Rowland was born near
Jamestown, in Chautauqua County, New York, Oct. 20, 1845, the son of Samuel
and Sarah (Cowan) Rowland, both natives of that state. He received such
education as was offered in the neighboring schools and learned farming
with his parents. When but little more than a youth, he enlisted in Co. A,
112th New York Vol. Inf. and served for three years. He escaped without a
wound, but was severely sunstruck, from which he suffered for some time
afterward. Upon his discharge, he returned to New York State and continued
farming. In 1881 he came to Barron County and took a homestead of 120 acres
in Barron Township. This was then wild timber land. He built a frame house
and a log barn, and started to establish for himself a home and a farm. A
little later he built a better set of buildings. Everything was swept away
in the great fire of 1898. Undaunted, he then started anew, and put up a
good house, barn, and other structures. In 1914 he sold out under
advantageous circumstances. Previous to this he had purchased 160 acres in
Section 29, Stanfold Township. This was partly improved, and a frame house
and barn had been erected. He had improved it by building a granary,
machine sheds and other structures. His death came soon after selling and
he died on the old homestead. Then his widow and son, Carl, moved to the
farm he had purchased in Section 29, Stanfold Township. They carry on
general farming and dairying, have a good herd of cattle, and hold stock in
the Barron Creamery Co. at Barron. Mr. Rowland was married at Clintonville,
New York, Sept. 16, 1865, to Serena E. Forbush, who was born at South
Valley, Cattaraugus County, New York, April 1, 1848, the daughter of Daniel
and Louisa (Covell) Rowland, natives respectively of New York State and
Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland had four children: William H., Carl J.,
and Everett L. and Evelyn L., twins. William H. was born Dec. 17, 1870, and
died Nov. 26, 1871. Carl J. was born Oct. 11, 1871. Like his father before
him, he stands high in the community, is a good farmer and a good citizen,
and believes in taking his share in everything that is for the betterment
or progress of the community. The twins were born Sept. 12, 1888. Everett
L. died in infancy. Evelyn L. married Otto Maack, of Barron, and they have
four children: Lawrence (deceased), Linaus, Merlyn and Florence.

--Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper,
Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 173.


© All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm