BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 607-608.


NATHAN H. ROWLES was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1828, the son of
Azariah and Sarah (Henderickson) Rowles, both natives of Maryland.
Azariah was the son of Hezekiah Rowles, who was also a native of
Maryland. The family can easily be traced back to the landing of William
Penn, and it is found to have been one of the supporters of that famous
man's creed. Hezekiah was the father of three sons, two of whom came to
Ohio, one of them settling in Harrison county, and the other, the father
of Nathan, locating in Belmont county. Azariah was born in the year 1792.
His early life was passed in Maryland, where he learned the cooper's
trade at an early age. He followed his trade the greater part of his
life, and was a patriot and a man of much power. He served his country
during the war of 1812, and twelve years later came to Ohio, settling
in Colerain township, Belmont county. Here he died in 1846. His marriage
took place in Maryland about the year 1819, and resulted in the birth of
nine children, five sons and four daughters. Six of these children still
survive. The mother joined her husband in the eternal sleep in the year
1858. Nathan H. Rowles did not obtain a very extended education as he
was obliged to begin work when fifteen years old. At this time he began
to learn the blacksmith trade, which he has followed almost continuously
since. Mr. Rowles owned a blacksmith shop in Bellaire from 1854 to 1858,
having settled there at the former date. In 1858 he, in company with T.
Garrett, established a general merchandise store, which he operated until
1860, when he returned to his trade. November 12, 1850, Mary S. Garrett,
sister of Capt. T. Garrett, became his wife. A family of five children
have grown up about him, and are all still living to call him blessed.
Mr. and Mrs. Rowles are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. In 1864 Mr. Rowles answered his country's call and enlisted in
Company P, One Hundred and Seventieth Ohio regiment, becoming captain
of his company. He fought gallantly in the battles of Snickersford,
Winchester and several others of equal moment. From 1874 to 1876 Capt.
Rowles served the city as city marshal, doing effective work; he is a
republican. Of such men as this the true free land is composed. The
backbone of any country is formed by the men who fill its trades and
who till its soil.