William Henry Rowe
The gallant veterans of the Civil War are fast answering the last roll call and within a few years there will be none of them left. Among the many veterans of Fayette county who have been mustered into that better land and joined the army triumphant there is no one more worthy of mention than the late William Henry Rowe, who was a prominent farmer of Concord township for many years. He was a man who always performed his every duty whether on the battle field, in official life, as a private citizen or in his family circle. Such men give character and stability to the community in which they live and for this reason are always missed when they are gone.
William H. Rowe, the son of Willis and Harriet (Limes) Rowe, was born in Fayette county. July 22, 1836, and died at his home in Leesburg, Ohio, June 8, 1906. His father was a native of Virginia and came to Ohio in 1820 and located on the Wabash. Willis Rowe and wife reared a family of six children, all of whom are now deceased: Harmon, (Oliver. Minnie, Alia. Hester and William Henry.
William H. Rowe attended the village school at Staunton, as did the girl who was later to become his wife. He knew what it was to have to work and from his earliest boyhood assisted with the labor on his father's farm. He remained at home until his marriage in 1857 and then began farming for himself in Concord township. When the Civil War opened he had his heart torn between duty to his family and duty to his country, but his wife told him hat she could care for the three children and that wyen yis country needed him he should go to the front. He enlisted in Compay K, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. Immediately after the war closed he returned to his happy family and resumed his peaceful pursuits. He prospered as a farmer and he and his good wife reared a large family of children to lives of usefulness and honor.
Mr. Rowe was married in 1837 to Sarah Ann Craig, and to this union there were born ten children, Finley. William, David, Elizabeth, Florence, Oliver, Hattie (died aged one year), Martin, Earl and Pearl. Finley married Hattie Worthington and has eight children: William, Clarence, James, Elba, Inez, Hazel, Anna and Eva. William married Jennie Wagner. David married Nettie Tanquary and has two children, Mina and Carl, deceased. Martin married Bessie Dade. Elizabeth married Robert Patton and has four children, Lily, Leona, Marie and Willard. Oliver married Maud Covan and has two ch.ildren, Alice and Lottie. Leroy married Pearl Burnett. Florence and Earl are still single. Hattie married Frank Doty and has three children.
Mr. Rowe was a life-long Republican and always interested in political affairs, particularly in local politics. For many years he served as a member of the school board in his township. As a veteran of the Civil War he was greatly interested in the Grand Army of the Republic and belonged to the post at Washington C. H. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and lived a life in harmony with its teachings. He was a man of domestic tastes and was never happier than when at home and surrounded by his family. He never overlooked an op[ortunity to do good and yet was never ostentatious in his benefactions. Such men are a blessing to the community in which. they live and their lives should be an inspiration to the coming generation.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)