Martin Rowe

BODYGUARD, BONHAM, GLASSBURNER, GRAY, LOVE, ROWE

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/9/2004 at 21:58:31

Martin Rowe is honored as an old soldier, who also has the distinction of being one of the early settlers of this county and for many years was an active and progressive farmer. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of April, 1838, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Glassburner) Rowe, further mention of whom occurs in the sketch of Henry Rowe.

Martin Rowe gave his parents the benefit of his work until he was twenty-one years of age and then became a hired hand, thus beginning his independent business career. In 1863 he came to Madison county, Iowa, and in that same year enlisted at Davenport in Company L, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry under Captain Rittan and Colonel John Sully. He served for two years and eight months and proved an excellent soldier, being mustered out at Sioux City. After the close of hostilities he went to Davis county, Iowa, and a year afterward again came to Madison county and bought eighty acres of improved land on section 15, Grand River township. He continued to reside there until January, 1914, when he retired and removed to Macksburg. He was very successful as an agriculturist and accumulated a competence which enables him to enjoy not only the comforts but also such of the luxuries of life as he desires. He has one of the finest homes in Macksburg and is vice president of the Macksburg National Bank. He added to his original holdings and acquired title to over a half section of excellent land, all of which he has sold or given to his sons. He was the first man to make a business of feeding cattle in Grand River township and his success in that line was instrumental in inducing many others to turn their attention to that business.

Mr. Rowe married Miss Becky Gray, a native of Ohio, who passed away about three years ago. To them were born five children: William, who is living in Macksburg; Elizabeth, the wife of W. P. Love, of Macksburg; A. H., who is residing on the home farm; Delia, the wife of George Bodyguard, of Denver, Colorado; and Delia, who married Harry Glenn, a veterinary surgeon of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mr. Rowe's present wife was Miss Bertha Bonham, a daughter of David Bonham.

Mr. Rowe is a republican and has taken considerable part in the direction of public affairs. For many years he was township trustee; for twelve years served on the city council of Macksburg; and for nine years was school director. He has always discharged his official duties with ability and conscientiousness, and his record is a distinctly creditable one. His wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and was much interested in everything relating to its welfare. Mr. Rowe has at all times manifested a keen sense of his community obligations and his public spirit is one of his most marked characteristics. He has contributed liberally to the support of the church, and when the railroad was built to Macksburg made generous contributions toward the fund for securing it. He has done all within his power to further the welfare of the public schools and there is no good cause which he has refused to aid. His life has been a successful one, as he has not only gained a large measure of material prosperity but has also at all times proved himself a man of honor and integrity, and the respect and goodwill of his associates are freely accorded him.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”