My Genealogy Hound

John Rowsey is a native Arkansan, and a man of quite extensive acquaintance hereabouts, having been born near his present residence in 1838. Anthony Rowsey, his father, of Alabama nativity, came to this State in 1835, locating in Old River Township, where he married Salina Hassington, of Arkansas, and where he lived the life of a farmer till his death in 1886, at the age of seventy years. He was a very quiet man, but energetic and industrious, and devoted to his farm work, in which he took especial delight. The mother died in 1853 or 1854. There were nine children born to this union, three of whom grew to maturity, and of these our subject is the only survivor. By the father’s second marriage there was one child, Mary R., now Mrs. J. V. Sink, of Illinois. His third marriage was to Miss Angeline A. Butler, who is still living in this township, on a farm which she owns. The life of the subject of this sketch has been spent in this township, with the exception of two years in Jefferson County, and the time he served in the war. He was a brave soldier in the Confederate service for four years, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Atlanta, and numerous minor engagements. At Jonesboro, Ga., he was taken prisoner, sent to Nashville, Tenn., and exchanged. Although struck three times he was not seriously wounded. After the war ended he came home and resumed his farm work, and in 1880 married Mrs. Margaret S. McKinzie, who was formerly Miss Nicks, born and reared in this township. She had then five children: Henry J., Bennie and Edna; Alice and Ruth (deceased). To Mr. and Mrs. Rowsey were born two children, an infant, who died, and Nancy, now aged five years. Mrs. Rowsey died in 1885, and our subject subsequently married Miss Mittie H. Diamond, a native of this State. They have one child living, John G. For eight years Mr. Rowsey was postmaster at Swan Lake, and has served as constable of his township. Politically he is a Democrat, and of decided worth and merit in the prominent interests of this locality.