My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Maries County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John F. Rowan, ex-county judge of Maries County, was born February 24, 1848, in St. Louis County, Mo. His parents died when he was small, and he was reared by his uncle, Andrew Rowan. In 1865 he began learning the carpenter’s trade in St. Louis, at which he served an apprenticeship of four years, at the expiration of which time he went to Chariton County, Mo. June 19, 1870, he married Lucinda M. Haskell, who was born in the. State of Maine, December 29, 1852. To this union six children were born, viz.: Lizzie, who was born in St. Louis, June 14, 1872; William A., born in Maries County, January 28, 1873; Theron, born in March, 1876; Emma F., Nathan J. and Letitia. In December, 1871, Mr. Rowan returned to St. Louis, and in September of the following year he became a resident of Maries County, locating in Boone Township, seven miles northwest of the county seat, on a farm of 320 acres. He engaged in farming until 1878, when he moved to Vienna, having devoted some attention to his trade of carpenter during his last two years on the farm, and working on the Maries County court-house. In March, 1878, he established a wagon-shop and also a blacksmith-shop at Vienna, first occupying his present shop in 1880, which he purchased the following year, and has since conducted successfully. He also owns a lumber yard, and is a skillful workman in wood, manufacturing coffins, etc., in connection with his other work. He has manufactured, in all, about thirty-five wagons since his establishment, which have given good satisfaction. He served as constable in Boone Township four years, mayor of Vienna three years, and justice of the peace from 1884 to 1888. In 1886 he was elected county judge of the first district of Maries County, serving two years, his term expiring in December, 1888. Mr. Rowan is a member of the Masonic order, and is also a member of the United Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, of which faith his wife is also a follower. Judge Rowan is an enterprising citizen, and one who is active in all enterprises tending to promote the interests of the county, highly respected by all who know him, and charitable and generous to all deserving objects.

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This family biography is one of 37 biographies included in The History of Maries County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Maries County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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