My Genealogy Hound

ERNEST C. ROWOLD, who is engaged in general farming on section 25, Horse Prairie, Randolph County, was born in Prussia, in 1835, and at the age of eleven years came to the United States with his parents, Frederick and Sophia (Yeager) Rowold, both of whom were also natives of Prussia. They made their way to Liverpool, and while en route for that place were wrecked in the North Sea. From England they sailed for New Orleans, reaching the Crescent City in January, 1847, and then came up the Mississippi to Cairo, thence to St. Louis, and on to Horse Prairie. The father died the year after his arrival, but the mother survived until 1862. Their family numbered five children, all of whom are yet living, as follows: Frederick; Conrad, who owns and operates one hundred and twenty acres of the old homestead farm; Ernest C., of this sketch; Wilhelmina, widow of Frederick Hartman, of Horse Prairie, and Emily, wife of Henry Busch.

Judge Rowold was reared to manhood under the parental roof, becoming familiar with all the duties of farm life and also with its pleasures. He attended the common schools, and ere his majority learned the cooper’s trade, which he followed for some time. In 1857 he chose as a companion and helpmate on life’s journey Miss Caroline Hartman. By their marriage were born twelve children, nine of whom are still living: Ernest, who is engaged, in farming in this county; Frederick, of Bucksville, Monroe County; Caroline, wife of Henry Arbeiter, a resident of Jackson County; Sophia, wife of Charles Kloepper, an agriculturist of this community; William, who is living in Red Bud; Herman, who spent five years in a school at Springfield, Ill., and is now pastor of a Lutheran Church in Marquette County, Wis.; Hannah, Mina and Henry.

Through the winter season Mr. Rowold has followed coopering, and in the summer months has devoted his time and energies to farm work. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of good land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. The improvements upon his place indicate his thrift and enterprise and are such as are seen on a model farm.

In politics Judge Rowold has long been a stanch Democrat. For two terms he served as County Commissioner with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. For sixteen consecutive years he was a member of the School Board and did effective service in the cause of education. For the same length of time he also served as Appraiser of the Horse Prairie Insurance Company. In public office, as in private life, he has always been true and faithful to his duties, and hence he has won the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He is now a Director in the Horse Prairie Township Mutual Insurance Company.