- OSCAR D. ROWE. Among the well known and leading business
men of Janesville, Wis., is the
- gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is one of the
several buyers of leaf tobacco, for which business Janesville
has become quite celebrated. Since 1881 he has been continuously
engaged in this line, and now has a flourishing trade. His office
and warehouse, which is known as the Eagle warehouse, is situated
at the corner of Wall and Madison streets.
- Mr. ROWE is a native of the Keystone State, having been born
in Clara, Potter Co., Pa., on the
- 4th day of July, 1847. His father, John S. ROWE, emigrated
to Wisconsin with his family in 1851, and settled at Palmyra,
Jefferson County. Oscar was one of the family of three children.
His only brother, Henry S., who was born in 1850, is now engaged
in the real estate business in Portland, Ore. He formerly followed
railroading, having received his preparation for that business
under the instruction of his brother.
- In the public schools of Palmyra our subject received his
education, and when eighteen years of
- age went to Edgerton, Rock County, where he secured the position
of telegraph operator in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul Railroad Company. After continuing in that position
for one year he was appointed clerk in the company's freight
office at Janesville, but after three years returned to Edgerton
as station agent, continuing to discharge the duties of that
position until embarking in his present business in 1881. Mr.
ROWE was in the employ of the railroad company for the long period
of seventeen consecutive years, which fact is evidence of the
faithfulness and ability with which he performed his various
duties, and the appreciation of his services on the part of his
employers. As further evidence of his attention and fidelity
to the trust imposed in him, it may be said, that during that
long period, he did not lose a day's compensation for his services.
- Mr. ROWE was joined in wedlock with Miss Gertrude C. McDOUGALL,
a native of Brooklyn,
- N.Y., born in 1580, and a daughter of Alfred McDOUGALL, a
pioneer settler of Janesville. The family circle of Mr. and
Mrs. ROWE was completed by the birth of four children, a son
and three daughters - Jennie L., Clarence W., Emma W. and Leahretta.
- The success to which Mr. ROWE has attained in life is due
entirely to his own efforts. At an early
- age he started out for himself, and without capital or assistance,
save his own industry and energy, he has secured a comfortable
competence, and is regarded as one of the prominent business
men of Rock County. In his political view he supports the principles
advocated by the Republican party. Public spirited and progressive,
he is highly esteemed as a citizen. In dispotion he is cordial
and genial; in his dealings fair and honorable, while his life
has been such as to win the confidence and respect of his fellow
citizens.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 863-864.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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