William Thomas Rowland

WILLIAM ROWLAND

The late William Rowland, for many years a resident of Boone count and prominently identified with the early history of that county and of the state, was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, coming to Missouri in his young manhood and settled near Columbia. Early in his life he gained prominence in a public way in Boone County and represented that county in the state legislature for several terms. In a close race for that office he beat Hon. William Switchler, the only man that ever did, and, being old friends, they enjoyed talking of their experience in the race for the office. He was a staunch Democrat and was several times a delegate to the national convention. Aside from his public affairs he was devoted to agriculture and trading. He was a large slave owner and was one of the most successful men of his time, all his varied enterprises forging ahead to a successful consummation and resulting in comparative wealth for him. When he died, he was regarded as one of the financially independent men of his district, and he left a record of worthy public service as well as a career in private life, which was an honor to him and to his family who succeeded him. He was a pioneer in every sense of the word in his county, and bore a large and worthy part in the growth and development of his section of the state.

He was a strict member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He died at the age of eighty-five years. His wife died the same year, and they are buried side by side in the old family cemetery.

He married Miss Nancy Copeland, a daughter of one of the pioneer families from Kentucky. They were parents of twelve children; the oldest, married Miss Ann Shock, a daughter of David Shock, a pioneer of the county; Harriet married John Heiman and died in Hannibal, Missouri; Sallie Ann married Lemuel Nelson of Columbia, who died at Cameron, Missouri; Caroline and Adaline bother married Riggs of Boone County, named Absalom and John Riggs, who later in years moved to Dekalb county, where they died, leaving large families and who represent the leading men and women of the county now. Elisabeth married David Turax of Dekalb County; William P was twice married, his first wife was Sallie E. Soborn of Callaway County, a daughter of JJ Osborn, one of the pioneer educators of his time. Silas C, the youngest child was married twice, his first wife being Miss Helen Smith of Davies County who died at Winston, Missouri. He later married Miss Emma McSparren of Cameron, who died in Gallatin, leaving two children. He lives at St. Joseph, Missouri.

Source: History of Northeast Missouri, Johnson County (Library K977.8 History) Vol 2 Lewis Pub (1913) Page 931