Sgt. George A. Rowe

Sgt. George A. Rowe

H Co. 37th Wisc. Inf.

   Drafted Nov. 12, 1863.
   Home of record listed as Bloomfield, Wisc.
   Promoted Cpl.
   Promoted Sgt.
   Mustered Out July 27, 1865.

Post War;
   Moved to Elgin, Ill.
   Worked at D. C. Cook Publishing Co.
   Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 Nov. 23, 1900.
   Member First Baptist Church.
   Listed on the 1900 Census as a 57 year old Tresurer working for a Publisher, from Wisconsin.  He could both read and write living in Elgin, Ill.

   As recorded on the Elgin Sexton's ledger:  Died April 26, 1924 at Sherman Hospital.  Aged 54/4/14.  Cause of death listed as Gangrene of Toe on Left Foot.  Undertaker retained, F. T. Norris.  Physician, S. L. Gabby.

   Obit; April 28, 1924 issue of The Elgin Daily Courier.
   George A. Rowe, a resident of our city for the past 44 years died on Saturday evening at Sherman hospital.  Funeral services were held this afternoon at the First Baptist church, conducted by the Rev. T.L. Stephens of Immanual Baptist church.  Services will also be held tomorrow morning in Genoa Junction, Wis., where he will be laid to rest.  The D.C. Cook company plant closed at 3 o'clock out of respect for him.
   Born on Dec. 2, 1841, in Genoa Junction, Wis., he received his education in the schools of that place, expecting as a boy to become a physician.  When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Co. H, 37th Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, serving through the entire war.  in 1869, he married Amelia S. Coe, who died in 1875.  Two children, Elsie Ruth, Now Mrs. Albert F. Green, and Hervey Coe, who died in infancy, were the result of this union.  In 1876, he married Mary E. Andrews of Chicago, his widow who survives him.  To them were born six children, Dwight Andrew, Mary Amelia, now Mrs. Howard Fellows, Charles G., Howard Lester, Ralph N. and George.  There are thirteen grandchildren.
   After the Civil War, Mr. Rowe engaged in the lumber business in Northern Wisconsin, where he went through a horrible forest fire, thereby losing all he had invested.  Aug. 5, 1880, he entered the employ of the David C. Cook publishing Co., then located in Chicago, serving first as foreman of one of the departments, but his wonderful mathematics ability made itself evident and he was placed in a position of greater trust in the cashier's office and in 1881 was made treasurer of the company, a position he held with honor to the time of his death.
   Mr. Rowe was among the first representatives of the D.C. Cook company who came to this city and the splendid Christian character displayed throughout the years, was with him then.  Few people have been so close a Bible student as Mr. Rowe and to few it is given to have such an all-abiding faith in God.  From a child he held membership in the Baptist church, serving as deacon for many years in the First Baptist Church of Elgin, with which he had later been connected.  His whole life has been given to helping and cheering those with whom he associated.  Truly it can be said of him he "lived" his religion.  A kind husband and father, a helpful friend, an upright Christian citizen has left us, but his influence for good in the lives of others will live on.

   Buried at Genoa Junction, Wisc.

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Many members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.