My Genealogy Hound

George M. Rowland, a prominent farmer of Utica Township, is a native of Mississippi, and a son of Charles and Mary (Lewis) Rowland, who were Virginians by birth. In 1830 they left the Old Dominion for Marshall County, Miss., then a new part of the State, and from which the Indians had just been moved. Here the father lived on a farm which he entered until 1840, then going to Benton County, where he made his home until called away by death, in 1863. His wife survived him until 1876. They were the parents of six boys, three of whom are still living: W. L. (on the old place), J. E. (a resident of St. Francis County), and George M. The latter was born in Marshall County, Miss., February 22, 1850. His father, like a number of other Southerners, was a Union man until Virginia attempted to withdraw from the Union, when he announced his allegiance to his native State, and gave three of his sons to the Southern cause. After the battle of Shiloh the brothers returned home on a furlough, and were surprised by the Federals, but would not have been captured had it not been for the treachery of a companion. The three boys and also their father were taken prisoners, and carried to Cairo, Ill., afterward being exchanged, but the father died within eight days after his return, from exposure while coming down the river. George M. Rowland remained at home during the war, being too young to enter the service, though he heard bullets whistle on more than one occasion. In 1868 he went to Gibson County, Tenn., was engaged in teaming for a man by the name of Davis, and the following year took charge of a large farm in Hardeman County, belonging to the same party, where he remained until 1875. Going home on a visit, the month of January, 1876, found him en route for Arkansas, in charge of stock for J. D. Reans, of Forrest City, for whom he clerked the rest of the year. The next year he rented a farm, and has since been occupied in that occupation, now owning two farms, one of 214 acres, and one 185 acres in extent, with over seventy-five acres under cultivation. Mr. Rowland has been twice married, first, in 1879, to Miss Mollie V. Jeth, who died in 1881. His second wife was Mrs. Allie S. Johnson (nee Hill). They are the parents of one child, Charlie Pike, born in 1887. Mr. Rowland is an influential Democrat, and has served as justice of the peace two years. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and at one time belonged to the County Wheel.