| Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and
History of Henderson County © 1911; Chapter XXV. BIOGRAPHICAL "R" |
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| (unassigned Spencer #) |
ROWLEY, James R., farmer and stockman, Bald Bluff Township, Little York Rural Route No. 1, has reason to be proud that he is descended from old Irish families. The history of Ireland is ancient - more ancient than that of some of the Continental States. It is a history of patriotic endeavor, and, in these later years, of triumph looking to an era bright with promise. There are no Irish in America, for they are all Americans. Mr. Rowley was born in Boston, Mass., December 26, 1854, a belated but welcome Christmas present to John and Ann (Armstrong) Rowley, both natives of County Fermanagh, Ireland. The family located in Illinois and the elder Rowley made a farm. James lived with his parents until his father died and his mother is now living with his brother J. N. Rowley. After the father's death the farm was divided. To James came 160 acres of the home place, on which he built a house, barns and other architectural improvements, and which he operates with much success as a general farmer and stock-raiser. He is Independent in politics and is a member of Lodge No. 780, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Seaton. In December, 1880, Mr. Rowley married Miss Josie Woodham, of Oquawka, daughter of John and Mary (Holland) Woodham, her father English by birth and her mother a native of Ireland. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Woodham was to each of them a second marriage, he being a widower and she a widow, at the time. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowley have been born children whom they named thus in the order of their birth: George, Bertha, Clarence, John, Stella and Neva. George lives in Mercer County, Ill,; Bertha is Mrs. Harry Parkinson, of Mercer County, Ill.; the others are members of their parents' household. |
| (unassigned Spencer #) | ROWLEY, John Nixon, farmer, Bald Bluff Township, Seaton Rural Route No. 2, was born on the farm on which he now lives, May 28, 1858, and has lived there in all the intervening time. One who drifts about the world, here today, gone tomorrow, knows nothing of the satisfaction to be derived from the thought of a settled habitation - the knowledge that a man has that he owns the land on which he lives and that his parents did before him. Mr. Rowley is the son of John and Anna (Armstrong) Rowley, natives of County Fermanagh, Ireland. His grandfathers were Joseph Rowley and William Armstrong. Grandfather Rowley died in Ireland, and his widow brought her children to Nova Scotia, where John Rowley became a lumberman. Going to Boston, he became a tanner and currier, with a large shop. in 1855 he came with his family to Bald Bluff Township and bought and improved the Southeast One-fourth of the South One-half of Section 11. To his first purchase of eighty acres he added till he owned 480 acres in one body. Devoting himself to general farming, he became an extensive feeder and raiser of cattle. He was born in 1818 and died in 1883. His widow, now eighty-six years old, lives with her son John N. Her son William J. lives in Chicago; her son James R. in Bald Bluff Township; her son George died in childhood; her son Samuel W. lives in Loveland, Colo. John Nixon Rowley was educated in the Belmont district school, is a Trustee of the Belmont Methodist Episcopal Church, is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and has been a School Trustee for many years. In 1890 he secured 160 acres of the Rowley homestead, including the Rowley home. He has remodeled the house, erected new buildings as they have been needed, and otherwise improved the place. In 1901 he bought eighty acres more of one of his brothers. He does general farming and raises and sells hogs and cattle. He married, October 29, 1885, Miss Mary Campbell, born in Rozetta Township, a daughter of William and Jane (Fair) Campbell, her father a native of County Fermanagh, Ireland. They have children: Ruth, born August 2, 1887, Mrs. George Shike, of Henderson County; Joseph, born January 14, 1889; Florence, born July 19, 1897, and Bert, born May 26, 1899, members of their parent' household. |
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Modified April 16, 2008