My Genealogy Hound

Judge Thomas R. Rowe, probate and county judge of Polk County, is a resident of Cove Township, his home being located two miles west of the town of Cove. He was born in Monroe County, Ga., on August 29, 1833, and is the son of James and Narcissa (Lewis) Rowe, natives of Edgefield District, S. C. The parents were married in the Palmetto State, and when still young people moved to Monroe County, Ga., where they resided for some time. They then moved to Meriweather County of that State, and there passed the balance of their days, the father dying in 1872 at the age of eighty-two years, and the mother in 1878, when eighty-four years of age. The father was a very successful and extensive planter. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and the father was a deacon in the same from the time he was a young man until his death, a great many years. He was a life-long Democrat, and took a deep interest in politics, but would never accept an office, preferring a quiet life on his farm. He had three brothers who were prominent political men, and who held nearly all the political offices in the county. The Rowe family is of Scotch origin. Of the eight children born to the above-mentioned couple, all are living, and the eldest is probably seventy-eight years of age and the youngest is fifty-one years: Harriet T. (resides in Northern Texas), Mary A. (is in Monroe County, Ga.), Narcissa S. (in Meriweather County, Ga.), James A. (is a farmer in the last named county), Oliver P. (is a farmer), Andrew J. (is in Georgia), and Sarah E. (is also in Georgia). Judge Thomas R. Rowe, the sixth in order of birth of the above-mentioned family, was reared and educated in his native county, and when twenty-one years of age commenced to work for himself as a farmer in Meriweather County, Ga. He remained there until November, 1881, and then moved to Franklin County, Ark., near Ozark, where he remained two years. He then came to Polk County and bought the 180 acres that he now owns, on Six Mile Creek, a considerable portion of which is under cultivation. While a resident of Meriweather County, Ga., he held the office of justice of the peace eight years, and soon after coming to this county he was elected to the same position, holding the same for four years. He was then elected county and probate judge, and so great was his popularity and so well did he fill this honorary position, that he was reelected in 1890. During the Civil War Judge Rowe was lieutenant of Brown’s State Militia. He had three brothers in the regular service, and the oldest brother was captain, he surrendered with Gen. Lee. The second was a lieutenant in the same company, and lost his arm at Chancellorsville being afterward discharged. The third brother was in the First Georgia Cavalry, and was soon made forage-master of the brigade, serving as such all through the war. He was wounded near Richmond, Ky. On December 15, 1853, Judge Rowe was married to Miss Mary A. Malcolm, of Meriweather County, Ga., and to this union were born seven living children, viz.: Alexander J., Robert A., Sarah E. (wife of Marion B. Allen, who is a merchant of Cove), Luther M., Mary S. (at home), Hugh (in Texas), and Earnest (at home). One child, John B., was struck by lightning, and one died in infancy. Mrs. Rowe is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. The Judge is a Democrat in his political views, and he is a member of Mountain Meadow Lodge No. 218, A. F. & A. M., of which he is secretary.