My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES L. ROWLEY has been Chief Engineer of the Willard State Hospital since September 1, 1869, and in point of years is its oldest employe. He was born in Litchfield County, Conn., January 10, 1834, his parents being Elias and Laura C. (Bushnell) Rowley. (See sketch of George S. Rowley.)

The subject of this sketch lived on a farm until he was sixteen years of age, and attended the common school and the academy. He then became a clerk in a country store, serving two years, but as he had an idea that the land of steady habits did not present as attractive possibilities for young men as the great Empire State, he accordingly struck out for what then seemed the far West, and found a place in the yards of the Oneida Steamboat Company. Two years later he was appointed second assistant engineer, and after a year’s service in that capacity was appointed first engineer on one of their boats. He remained in this capacity until 1858, when he went to Geneva to set up the machinery for the steamer “D. S. Magee,” and was engineer on the same for ten years. At the expiration of that time he came to Willard State Hospital, receiving the appointment of Chief Engineer, and now has in his hands all the water service, gas and steam machinery, the sewage system, and all the allied interests.

Mr. Rowley was married, in 1863, to Miss Martha, daughter of Joel G. and Julia (Demory) Simonson, the former of whom was a carpenter. Mrs. Rowley was born in Yates County, and at the time of her marriage was a resident of Watkins. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Rowley adopted a son, Grant S. Rowley.

Our subject is a Democrat by natural convictions, but has never held office or been active in the councils of the party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Geneva. The duties of his position at the hospital have been arduous, but have been faithfully met, and all the engineering work at the institution has been done under his supervision.