Clarence Rowlen 1872-1899

ROWLEN, STOKES

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/16/2018 at 10:01:48

8 June 1899 - West Branch Times

Clarence E, son of Frank and Mattie Rowlen, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, March 23, 1872, and came with his parents to West Branch in 1876, where he resided until he enlisted in his country's service in Battery A Second Artillery, March 31, 1897, at Fort Sheridan, Ill. He served with his command, which is better known as Grimes Battery, all through the campaign of last year in Cuba, and participated in the engagements at El Caney, San Juan and Santiago. After the war was over he returned home on furlough in October of last year but returned with his command to Cuba in November, where he served his country faithfully until the time of his death from typhoid fever, which occurred in Havana, May 13, 1899. Thus another brave boy has given his life to his country, and his body rests in the cemetery at Havana, where the magnolia and the palm will sing requiems over his hallowed grave until the millennial morn shall bring him forth to a new and better life.

22 June 1899 - West Branch Times

By request we insert the following addition to the obituary of C. E. Rowlen which was published two weeks ago.

Clarence E. Rowlen, son of Frank and Mattie Rowlen, of West Branch, Iowa, was born in Ohio March 26, 1872, and died in Second Division Hospital, Havana De Cuba, May 12, 1899, after a brief illness with typhoid peritionitis.

Mr. Rowlen came with his parents to Iowa in 1875. West Branch has since been the family home. Here he grew into a vigorous young manhood. During the month of March 1897, he went to visit his brother B. W., who was then in the regular army and stationed at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, while there he became so attached to the army work and life that he determined to enter its ranks. This he did March 31, 1897. He remained at Ft. Sheridan until transferred to Cuba, about April 15, 1898, going first to Huntsville, Ala., thence to Montauk Point, New York, then to Santiago, reaching the latter place the last of June. Here he took part in the decisive battle of the Spanish-American war, heaving his young breast to the heartless lead of Spanish hate, that human liberty might be advanced a degree higher in the great thermometer of the world's emancipation. After the battle of Santiago, he was returned to Montauk Point, and thence to Huntsville, where he was permitted to come home on a 30 days furlough. In November at the expiration of that time he went back to his Company at Huntsville, and was then sent to Havana, Cuba, where he remained until his death. He was a member of Battery A. 2nd Artillery, 7th Army Corps.

He leaves father, mother, two brothers, B. W., who was with him in Cuba, and Master Lewis Rowlen and one sister, Mrs. Bertha Stokes of West Liberty to mourn for him. Yet these loved ones cherish the hope that he was prepared to go. A letter from his nurse conveyed as a parting message that he was all right. Thus, while the thick gathering shadows settled about his lonely hospital couch and disease sapped from him the heroic life of a young patriot, he with loving hand reached out through the shadows beckoning to his side the devoted watcher, while with a brave heart he sent a message of trust, to the hearts he knew would bleed for him.

Mr. Rowlen was engaged to Miss Louis Decker, of Evanston, Illinois. Thus another fresh young heart is left with the inner circle of his loved ones to mourn for the soldier boy who never returned to gladden her life. But her heart may be comforted in the thought that he died for honor that others might see the dawning of a brighter day.

His funeral was upon the same day of his death at Havana. All military honors were shown him. May such young lives as this keep forever alive the idea of patriotism on our national altar. Although it is sad that so far from home and loved ones he should be compelled to die, yet on the immorial page of liberty and honor his name has found a place.