The Franklin A. Rowe Family

Franklin A. Rowe, a lifetime merchant at Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, was born in Adams Township, Defiance County, Ohio, on February 18, 1859, the son of Adam and Catherine (Hart) Rowe. Both were natives of Germany and early settlers in this part of Ohio. Adam Rowe bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Adams Township, Defiance County, and he spent the rest of his life there. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children: John, Catherine (Thornton), Michael, Milton, Mary (Beck), Philip, Adam, Joseph, George, Albert, Franklin and Anna (Fronk). They were members of the Catholic church.

Franklin Rowe attended the district school and the Union School at Ridgeville. He worked on the farm until of age, when he became assessor of the township. He began clerking in the store of Scofield and Chapman, in Ridgeville Corners, with whom he remained for six years. He then began his own business, opening a general store. He later added clothing, furniture and undertaking. He was township clerk for sixteen years.

In 1884 Franklin A. Rowe was married to Miss Harriet Harper, who was born near Ridgeville Corners, the daughter of James W. Harper and Grace (Hively) Harper. They had four children: Maude E., an infant daughter, Maurice Edward and Dorothy Irene.

Dorothy married Olen Claire. They had three children: Dorothy, Patricia (married John E. Tuckett) and Frank (married Evelyn Horr).

There are five grandsons: John E. and Norman Tuckett; and Bruce W., Brian G. and Bradley M. Claire.

Submitted by Dorothy Claire