| From the Atlanta Intelligencer |
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| September 30, 1863 |
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| Obituary |
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Maj. John S. Rowland, late of Bartow county, Ga., was
born in the county of Rutherford, North Carolina, on the 6th day of
August, 1795, and departed this life in Bartow county, Ga., at his
residence in Etowah Valley, on Friday the 18th of September 1863, and
in the 69th year of his age. He resided with his father, Thomas
Rowland, until he was about 14 years of age, when, with his father, he
moved to Greenville District, S. C., then a new county, when the
family settled upon Saluda river. Here he aided his father in putting
up every house, and in the general improvement of the place. His means
of education being of a very limited character, all the attainments
which he ever made were for the most part acquired by his own
exertion; the time not necessarily devoted to business being given to
the improvement of his mind.
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When 17 years of age, he taught school, and was compelled
to study hard in order to keep ahead of his pupils, and to be enabled
to give them the necessary instruction.
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At the commencement of the war with Great Britain, in the
year 1812, though not yet 18 years of age, he volunteered as a private
in the service of his country, and marching from his home on foot, was
ordered to Georgetown, was soon promoted for his energy and ability to
the position of Adjutant of his regiment, and serving with honor to
himself until the close of the war, returned home, and was soon
appointed Collector of the Direct Tax of Pendleton District, S. C. He
was then appointed Assistant in the Clerk's office of the District for
some time, and then removing to Rutherford Court House, N. C.,
performed the business of the Clerk's office of that country under his
uncle, Col. Richard Lewis, where he remained until his marriage, on
the 21st November, 1816, with Miss Frances M. Lewis. He then resigned
his office and engaged successfully in farming in Spartanburg
District, S. C., was elected to positions of trust and honor by the
people and Legislature, whenever he desired, and filled public offices
for eighteen or twenty years.
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In 1838 he purchased land in Georgia, and in 1839 removed
to them (Cass, now Bartow county,) and settling upon the banks of the
Etowah, devoted himself to his agricultural interests and private
affairs. From the quiet enjoyment of his beautiful, romantic and
highly improved home, he was called by Gov. Brown to fill the
responsible position of Superintendent of the W. & A. Railroad {Western
& Atlantic RR}, and while in the energetic discharge of its
onerous duties, he was taken suddenly very ill, and reaching home,
there, surrounded by his affectionate family and weeping friends, he
quietly and gently passed away from earth.
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His aged and most estimable wife and three sons and three
daughters, with numerous grandchildren, survive his loss. The State
and the county of which he was so valuable a citizen, are now deprived
of his eminent services, and mourn his sudden and unexpected departure
from our midst, but the wife and the children and the servants left
behind him feel a deeper, keener pang in the loss of the gentle
husband, the affectionate father, and the kind and careful and
benignant master.
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Just in his dealings, he rendered to every man his due.
Mirthful and social in his relations, he was a delightful and
entertaining associate. Energetic beyond most men, he succeeded in the
aims of his life establishing himself in truth and public and private
respect. Kind and compassionate, he extended a bountiful hand to the
needy and the destitute, while the poor will long remember his
benevolence and his charity. Warmly attached to the South, the land of
his birth, and to her institutions, his age forbade him to take up
arms in her perilous defence, but he clothed her companies, fed the
wives and children of her soldiery, and keenly alive to the great
issue in which she was involved, was ready to lay his all at her
disposal for her good.
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Major Rowland never made any profession of religion, but
was an honest, earnest believer in its truths, and as is known to the
writer of this memorial of his virtues, was strongly, at times,
impressed with the importance which it demands. On the side of virtue
he was always to be found, and justice and honesty marked his life and
character. Softly then, let him sleep, the life he had is given back
to his Maker and his God. Then willingly we leave him not without
tearful hopes, knowing that He is a just and faithful Creator.
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H.
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