The Thomas D. Rowland Family

Among the early settlers of Henry County were three brothers: John, James, and Robert Rowland. They were of Scotch-Irish descent. These brothers were born in the State of Virginia and came to Stark County, Ohio, in early life.

John Rowland the eldest brother was a farmer, a miller, and a soldier who served in the War of 1812. He married Mary Morehead and had grown children before coming to Henry County about 1835. The records show he obtained a deed for 160 acres of land in the southeast 1/2 of Section 23, Richfield Township on September 15, 1835. This farm was wet and unproductive so after living there about 12 years, they rented the farm near Gilead (Grand Rapids) and John Rowland died November 11, 1862. Among their eight children was the son Thomas born March 9, 1838, who spent most of his childhood on the Purdy farm. He served in the Civil War, a member of the 68th Regiment. Soon after coming home from the war he married Harriet McClain and they built their home on the farm conveyed to them on July 25, 1860, by Mary Brown Babcock and husband Dwight located three miles east of McClure, Ohio, on the Henry, Wood Line Road and Route 6, containing 160 acres.

He also owned and operated one of the first stores in McClure. He gave the ground for the Damascus Methodist Church on Route 6 which was so badly damaged by a severe wind storm, it had to be torn down and the land went back to the farm.

Thomas owned the farm until his death August 5, 1926.

His son, James, having preceded him in death, the farm was bequeathed to his children Carl E. Rowland and Norma Rowland Brown and to William E. Rowland, brother of James.

Carl and Norma later sold their 1/2 interest to William Rowland.

The farm was later sold to the Ervin Amos family and the home is now occupied by the Michael Amos family.

Submitted by Mildred R. Rowland