The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1899-12-14
FORTY YEARS MARRIED.
Judge N. w. RoweIl and wife Celebrate
their Wedding Anniversary.

Judge N. w. RoweIl and wife Celebrate
their Wedding Anniversary.
Forty years ago yesterday, Judge N.
w. Rowell led to the marriage altar,
Miss Anna +. Ownby. Fitting it was
that after two score years this most
worthy couple should gather in their
children and grand children, and rela-
tives and make merry the anniversary
day of this happy union.
Would that the married life of all
could prove All congenial, as honest, as
has been the example in the lives of MIR.
and Mrs. Rowell. 1t is no mockery for
them to celebrate their wedding ami
versary, for it has proven most
fortunate day for them. Nearly their
entire married life has been spent in
Alton. Probably no couple in the
county is better known or more highly
respected. TO the poor and needy Of
our city and vicinity they have ever
proven friends. In the sick room they
have proven friends alike to both poor
and rich. All Alton rejoiced with them
| yesterday, when their children, without
one missing, and their grand children
and rels tives gathered at their home.
where feast WAS prepared such as only
Mrs. Rowell could prepare and a most
happy day was spent. That they may
live long to celebrate their golden wed.
dingis the wish of all.
Those present at their fortie tn we'd.
ding anniversary were:
and wife, and Mrs Curry, mother Of
Mrs DR.. kuwell, all of Leon.
Their Oldest daughter, Mrs. j. +.
| Wharton and husband, IF Leon.
Their daughter, Miss Bessie and
youngest son, Neal.
Their two sweet little grand children
Edgar Rowell and Ethel Wharton.
Auditor and Mrs. j.. II Cherry, MIR.
and Mrs. w. Il. Cherry, and two children
Miss Meta and Master Wear, of Creston.
MIR. and Mrs. Joseph Draper, MIR. and
Mrs. ID. q. Beard and Rev. and Mrs. Ii.
w. Maine, of Alton.
| Among the presents were forty ele.
CANT and fragrant roses from Missouri
and presented by friends from Leon.
Each rose represented a year of happy
married life.
Perhaps it IS fitting at this time to
give little of the early history and life
of Judge Rowell
Neal w. Rowell is one of the mos,
prominent lawyers Of Southern Iowa
and dates his settlement here from July
IA, lS5S,which was antecedent to thar
of any other lawyer of Union County
He was born in Athens County, Ohio,
June 10, 1886 In lS47 his father, vii
liam Rowell, removed With his family
to Wapello County, this state, purchas.
ing claim, which he afterwArd entered
and improved. Later lie removed to
Decatur City, Decatur County, where
he died in January, 1859 His wife
died at Alton, at the home ol his son in
March, 1870. In 1868 Mr.. RuweI
returned to Athens and entered the
Ohio University, where he graduated in
1856. He began the study Of the legal
profession at Centerville, Iowa, in 1857,
with Judge Amos Harris and was admit
to Alton Immediately afterward. His
entire professional life has been passed
as member of the bar of Union
County. He has been associated at
different times with most of the prin.
cipal lawyers at Alton. His first part.
nership was with Judge james &. Day
now of D.s Moines. This relation
existed two years when Judge Day
removed. In 1866 he became associated
with Judge James McDill. January 1,
1863, his partner became circuit Judge
and the partnership terminated. He
was then associated with ID. u. Gregory
until the latter was elected to the bench
in 1870. He then remained alone until
1876 when j. NJ. Milligan, ESQ.,, became
his partner, which relation continued
until 1884 and since that time he has
been alone. Few men are better known
throughout Southern Iowa than j,
Judge Rowell. His official career has
extended over a great many years. II.
was elected Judge Of Union County in
1850, serving two years. He was .
member of the Twelfth and Thirteenth
general assemblies; has twice served a.
mayor of Alton and was member of the
Alton School Board fifteen consecutive
years. The professional and oftcia
career CT Judge Rowell is one that tn,
young man who is entering upon ,
business for life, professional or other
wise, would be wise to initiate. To 4,
thorough knowledge of his profession
and an excellent Judgment Of human
nature, he adds a genial and kindl,
disposition, with firmness Of purpose
that guides HIM in the course he believes
to be right. The universal esteem il
which be is held by his fellow.citlzen
attest his influence for the best interest
OF the community, Politically he is q
decided Republican. Reaching his ma
jority about the time the Republican
party was organized he at once became
enrolled in it's ranks where he has beer
since found. He has never missed .
regular election and was ever ready il
exciting times Of the past to defend thu
principles of the party of his choice
He has from his youth preferred ant
practiced temperance and has eneraftet
] into his political creed the doctrine o
prohibition.-Afton Star Enterprise.
a Thousand Tongues