The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-02


On yesterday morning at s 20 O'Clock
Nsvns A. P. Rowe, Of this city. bfoashet
lis asst His unusually vigorous fra' l'
had been attacked some FIVE weeks ag'
by Ia grippe, aud for the past three
weeks he had been more or less confined
TO bed, but no grave apprehension VA
felt until Thursday afternoon, from
which time his condition grew worse,
and the end was expected at any mo-
ment. DR.. Tompkins stated that the
valves Of the heart, affected from the
grip, failed 30 act and was the i'm
mediate cause Of death.
The patient passed away peacefully
conscious 20 the last moment
Absalom Peyton Rowe was bora in
Spotsylvania county about miles from
Fredericksburg. November II. 1917, but
was brought by his parents to Freder-
icksburg when five years old, aud re-
sided In this city well nigh eighty
years His father, Rev. George Rowe,
is well remembered By our people as an
excellent citizen, Of commanding pres
ence aud striking personal oharacterist-
les. The Rev George Rowe had five
sons, who grew TO manhood, Of which
Mayor A Z. Rowe was the eldest,
and Mr.. + o. Rowe is the youngest
The Rev. r. s. Rowe. Of the Maryland
Protestant Conference, is still alive the
late G.. II O. Rowe was a lawyer Of
marked ability and intellectual force.
The other brother, Rev John c. Rowe.
died at Bowling Green few years ago,
and was for over quarter OF century
a prominent minister OF the Virginia
Conference Of the n K. Church South,
Two sisters also survive him, Mrs.
Mary A Luck, OF Stafford, and
Mrs Valentine Brown, Of Richmond.
The late Mayor Rowe was the father Of
Capt. NJ. B. Rowe, who has served as
Recorder Of this city, member Of the
Virginia Legislature, and was a captain
OF Company X. 3rd Virginia Regiment,
during the late Spanish war Mr.. ]. Z.
Rowe, member Of our City Council ;
Mr.. A p. Rowe. Jr., collector Of city
taxes and Of The Free Lance newspaper,
and Mr. Alvin Il. Rowe. Mrs. Alme-
dia Rowe. WAC was Miss Almedia
Gayle, wife Of MIR. A. 2. Rowe, and q
lady Of great character and personal
worth. survives him Mr. Rowe's mar
ried life extended over a peroid Of fifty.
five years. During this union no fam
lily was ever more happy or blessed as
far as earthly things are viewed Their
life was pure and simple, with al ne
cessary comforts yet not making show
OF seeking other than those comforts
that spring from c0Dtentment and q
we'll spent life, their highest gratifica-
ton, and @ natural one. resulting from
the success which their children have
secured IN the battle Of life, and the
promise Of usefulness Of their grand
children, whore rearing they have lived
TO see Mr. Rowe was a man Of strong,
vigorous mind and an sctiYe body. AS
a writer Of good English he had few
equals and fewer superiors. This at
tribute seemed to come to him naturally,
and be made good use Of 1t in many
ways, notably in the earnest efforts he
made, as Mayor, so bring about the
buildinein our midst Of the Mary Wash.
ingtOn Monument His great age and
great usefulness in the walks Of life
were not due entirely to a healthy. vigo,
rous constitution, but TO his excellent
habits as well IntOxicants never touch
cd his lips he eschewed tobacco In
every form. and during his whole life
he was an exceptionally early riser.
Though q gentleman Of iron will and
firm convictions, he was never con-
tentious man, and was never a gossiper
For more than a half century he had
been a member Of the Baptist faith and
an attendant upon It's service, and his
daily walk and conversation told only
too well that his profession Of faith was
Of the heart and not Of the lips. Oflate
years be was a regular attendant upon
the Sabbath school, having been pres
ent every Sunday until his last illness,
since 1887, and a devOut atten-
dant upon the recurring Week Of Prayer
held regularly in the January Of each
year.
In private life it may be summarized
OF Absalom p. Rowe that he was du-
tiful son. an a1fectionate husband, q
loving, consideratf father, kind and
agreeable neighb0rAa warm and faith
full friend, loved and respected oiti-
zen with an open hand for charity, and
one who, for more than a score Of years,
stood at the bier 20 perform the last
Offices to those Of his llow.citizens
who had preceded him to the great and
untraversed country beyond the grave.
That such a man was not lost sight OF
L l. Il ~ ~ - 10 cl10xun
by the fact that Mr. Absslom z. Rowe
was. for q number of years, a member
Of our City Council, served one term In
the Legislature Of Virginia, was the
hrst president Of our successful Agri-
cultural Society, and was chosen by his
fellow citizens for six terms as Mayer
Of the city Of Fredericksburg and in
every one of these places Of honor and
trust it ia enough to say that he acted
well his part, for there all the honor
lies
Our fellow.citizen and Chief Magis-
trate is no more. The flesh and the
spirit have parted company. 10 the
grave his dust will be committed. TO
the God who gave it the spirit mas al
ready flown, and II we may believe our
human senses, that spirit is already In
communion with those who are redeem
ed and washed In the blood OF she Lamb
In the never ending chorus Of the skies.
To his survivors is bequeathed that
richest, best and priceless legacy,
good name, which is far better than
great riches.
Esprit thy labors are Ger,
Thy term Of probation is run.
Thy steps are now bound to the untrod-
den shore,
And the race Of immortals begun. "
As soon ss the announcement Of
Mayor RoWe's death was made the
City Hall was draped In mourning.
Funeral service will be held In the
Baptist Church this Saturday )after-
noon at 8 O'Clock, Rev. DR.. j. 8. Dill,
officiating
The following win be the pall-bear-
ers
Active-M. B. Rowe. J. p Rowe,
A. p. Rowe, Jr. Alvin T. Rowe, sons
Of the deceased, and DR. e Coy Hop
1~s~o - nfohr.o..T oetT povkoaf poruo