This well-known citizen of East Galena Township, bears the reputation of a successful farmer, and breeder of Holstein cattle, having at the head of his herd the fine registered four-year-old bull “Barent 2d,” an animal possessing the many fine qualities for which these cattle are distinguished. Mr. Rowe’s farm is known as the Pleasant Dale Stock-Farm, and is located on section 1. It consists of 125 acres, mostly under cultivation, is well stocked and has good buildings. This place Mr. Rowe bought in 1876, and since then has made many improvements bringing it to its present perfect condition. He is a native of this township, and a sketch of his family history will be found on another page under the name of his father, James W. Rowe. He was born at his father’s homestead, on section 1, June 20, 1852, and is the eldest of his father’s family.

Our subject’s early life was passed on his father’s farm, and his early education was received in the public schools, and here his entire life has been spent. He was married in Galena, May 30, 1876, to Miss Bridget A. Drenning, who was born in that city Jan. 17, 1852, and is the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Corrigan) Drenning. Both parents were natives of Ireland, and both were reared there. They were betrothed in their native land, and young Drenning came to this country to make a home for his prospective bride. Here he spent some time, and then returned to Ireland, coming back to the United States with his future wife. On their arrival in New York City they were united in marriage, and later came West, locating first in Prairie du Chien, Wis.; coming to Galena about the year 1845, and in this latter place all their children were born. The father died there before the birth of Mrs. Rowe, who was his youngest child. He was then only in the prime of life, and his death was a sad blow to his widow, who was left with a family of small children. Both were members of the Roman Catholic Church. Some time after, his widow married James Sheridan, who was born in the same part of Ireland as were Mr. and Mrs. Drenning. The family are related to that of the late Gen. Phil Sheridan. Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan now own and live upon a farm in Guilford Township, this county.

Mrs. John A. Rowe has one sister, Mary, now the wife of John Farrell, a farmer of Woodbine Township, this county. Her only other sister, Jane, died while young. Mrs. Rowe was reared in Guilford Township by her stepfather and mother, with whom she lived until her marriage. She is the mother of seven children, namely: James Walter, Mary, Elizabeth, George, Alburtis, Alice, and Leo. Like all their relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Rowe are devoted members of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic in Galena. Politically, he is a Democrat, and, although but a young man, has already acquired an enviable reputation as an enterprising and progressive farmer, and as a citizen whose integrity is unquestioned.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)