The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-18
The Late Peyton Rowon

Entered into Paradise. Saturday. Au- gust 10. 1907, at h1s residence, Ten Oaks" Jacksonville, Ala, Peyton Row an. aged ninety years aud eleven months.
 He was the son of James Rowan and Sarah Pullen Rowan, whose grandfa- ther served as an officer in the Revolu- ton. under General Nathaniel Greene.
 Major Rowan was born in Pendleton District, South Carolina, october IS. 1816. He was reared in St Clair County. Alabama. attending Bingham Academy and other schools. At the age of seven he renoved to Ashville, Ala, where he resided until 1866. In the meantime. in 1858. he married Miss Annie B. Forney, daughter of Jacob Generals John and William H. For ney. all of Jacksonville, Ala. Tn 1866 he removed to Jacksonville, Ala, and engaged in al general merchandise bus mess. Here he established the Fred egar National Bank, of which he was stockholder in the Jacksonville Min ing and Manufacturing Company. He also owned large interests in the Brok- en Arrow Coal Company, of which he was treasurer. He never engaged in politics, but was treasurer of St. Clair Mason since 1S47.
 Such in brief is the history of the objective life of the subject of our sketch. Turning to the subjective in reviewing the life of Major Rowan the biographer need not resort to ex- aggeration or concealment in rehears- ing his virtues or covering up his faults to paint one of the most saintly nVes that ever adorned generation.
 His was a quiet, contemplstive. de- votional character, like 10 that of tho beloved St .John--a lifc that had few storms. It was given to him as 70 few on earth to voyage over smooth seas. He was typical Christian gen tleman, of the old school Southern tyne that is rapidly passing away.
 He was of an even-tempered, retired almost reserved disposition.
 one of his distinguishing character tstics. standing out in bas-reltef, iu thtS day of sordid greed and interruptions oommercialism, was his nice sense of business integrity. He was the very soul of honor and uprightness. His business sagacity and judgment were excellent He weighed well any sub- ject before expressing his opinion, and fulfilled the sage bard's advice: Give thy thoughts no tongue, nor any unpro. portioned thought his act"
 Upon all these accounts, during his long career, he Lot only built up sue. cessful business. but he earned and had the entire confidence and respect of all whossknew him. No tainted dollar ever stained his till.
 And where shall We ind words 10 picture in fitting coforsA his beautiful domestic life? As husband and father, he was gentle and afrectionate, kind, thoughtful and provident; yet withal, firm. Rarely is the Divine ideal of the family so completely realized.
 As a friend, he was frank, constant
 As member of society and a citi- zen, he was loyal. brave and true. fin his walk and conversation. adorning the doctrine of God, our Savior"
 As a member of the church, and Sem for warden of St. Luke's Church for nigh thirty years, he left nothing to be desired. For many years this parish was largely supported by him. The rector always found in him a wise counsellor, a staunch friend and sup porter, and his seat in the church was never vacant. save by Providential hin- derance. He was ever forward In pro- noting the good of the church, and en- couraging all good enterprises to ex- tend the Kingdom of God. His unos- tentatious charity was bouhtiful; but he let not his left hand know what his right did During twenty years ac- auaintance with him cannot recall an uncharitable Judgment or word of any one.
 was no complaining. no impatience. no repining through the long months Of weary suffering and wsiting. He went not to his death as one scourged to his dungeon; but supreme and conh- dent in his faith, he quietly wrapped the drapery of his couch about him, and laid down to pleasant dreams;
 Asleep in Jesus. blessed sleep, From which none ever wakes to weep beaueathing to the world saintly life as luminous example to light the way through this chequered pilgrim age.
 He leaves a widow and four children to mourn the parting. But they "sor- row not as they that have no hope, for they are eomforted and sustained by the blessed assurance waited from the other shores, T am the resurrec- tion and the life He that believeth in Me, though he were dead. yet shall he live. And whcsoever iiveth and be- iieveth in Me shall never die"
 "Reduiescat in pace
 w. T. A.