John W. Rowley

ROWLEY, WATSON, THOMPSON

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/5/2001 at 18:11:53

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
JOHN W. ROWLEY
John W. Rowley, of the firm of Sloan & Rowley editors and proprietors of the Keosauqua Republican, is a native of Ohio. He was born in New Garden, Columbiana County July 23, 1846, and is a son of Theodore B. Rowley, who was born in Victor, New York on August 6, 1817. Coming to Ohio during childhood, Theodore Rowley formed the acquaintance of Miss Emmeline Watson, who was born in New Lisbon Ohio on August 5, 1820, and on May 18, 1842, they were united in marriage. Unto them were born three children: Anna, who died in childhood: John W., of this sketch and Lavina.
When a lad of eight years, with his parents, John W. Rowley removed from New Lisbon Ohio to Van Buren County Iowa. They reached their destination in December lf 1854, and the following spring located near Utica. Our subject received a common school education and for eight years, from 1867 to 1875 engaged in farming during the summer months, while the winter season was spent in teaching. He continued his residence in the vicinity of Utica until 1879. He was married to Miss Amanda M. Thompson, daughter of Elder David Thompson, near Bonaparte, Iowa, on October 27, 1868. She was born in Highland County Ohio, October 27, 1849. Three sons grace their union—Roland B., Frank W. and Clinton C. They also lost one child, Lena A., their only daughter, who was the second in order of birth. She died on March 17, 1873.
Mr. Rowley has been a member of the Christian Church since 1867, and in politics he is a stalwart supporter of Republican principles. In 1875, he was elected on that ticket to the position of Superintendent of Schools, of Van Buren County, in which he served until January 1, 1880. On November 15, 1879, he purchased an interest in the Keosauqua Republican and in the latter part of the month removed from his family to Keosauqua from his farm in Cedar Township. He is still one of the proprietors of the paper, which is devoted to the interests of the county and the Republican Party. Its owners are businessmen of merit and progressive citizens of the community in which they make their home. Mr. Rowley was appointed by President Hayes to the position of United States Supervisor of Census in 1880, having under his jurisdiction twenty counties. Soon after he was appointed a member of the State Educational Board and served four years, most of the time acting as its Secretary. In 1890 he received an appointment from President Harrison to the position of Supervisor of Census, his territory including twenty-one counties, and in that work he is engaged at the writing of this sketch.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.