Newark post., 1920-06-02
Many Friend: Pay
Final Tribute to
Presbyterian
Pastor
Impressive Ceremony Held Yes
terday Afternoon
Close Friends Conduct Church
Services; Masonic Honors
at the Grave

at the Grave
DR.. William j. Rowan, for 81
years pastor of the Presbyterian
church here, died suddenly on Fri
day evening at his home on West
Main street. shortly after six
o'clock. He was apparently in his
usual health and spirits during the
day. which he spent working in the
garden. After dinner he had gone
into the garden again to work. In
few minutes, however, he was
stricken and managed to reach the
house where he collapsed. DR.. G.
H. Blake and DR.. H. G. NJ. Kollock
were summoned but failed to re-
vive him.
Dr.. Rowan was "a years old. He
was born in Chester, Pa, where his
early education was received. He
attended Lafayette College and
after graduating there entered
Princeton Theological seminary,
where he received his training for
tn" ministry. Upon graduating he
was called to Broadway Presby-
terrain church, Baltimore. From
there he came to Newark in Sep
tember, 1899. In June Of the fol-
lowing year he married Mary Lee
Johnson Of Virginia, and brought
his hridn IN Nnyarly
For u years, from 1904 to 1916,
he was an assistant professor at
Delaware College where he taught
psychology and rehetoric. When
the Women's College opened he was
a member of the faculty there and
taught Public Speaking.
DR.. Rowan was an able pulpit
orator and a recognized authority
on the Bible Of which he was a
close student. His sermons based
on Biblical history were models of
accuracy and examples Of keen
analysis. His knowledge of the
ology and Of church history and
USaga made him a valuable addition
II tn" New Castle Presbytery on
whose examination committee he
served for years.
II" was an ardent lover of ma,
turo and was a close student Of
birds and their habits. He had
compiled a number Of charts and
pictures which he used in lectures
delivered in this and nightboring
states. He was always interested in
civic affairs and took an active in
tereSt in every progressive move
ment inaugurated here.
A mas Of keen intellect, unswerv
INC in devotion. to his church
earnest in effort to promote the
cause Of civic progress, his loss viii
be k"enly felt by the community II
which he has so faithfully labored.
His is survived by his wife, ont
daughter, Violet, and two sons, F
johnson and Archibald.
Funeral services were conducted
yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock ac
cordng to Masonic rite under th'
direction Of Hiram Lodge, No. %
a. F. and A. NJ, of which he was {
member.
TIL" services at the church wer,
IN charge Of the Rev. Joel S. Gil
Milan, formerly of Wilmington,
close friend Of DR.. Rowan's, ant
me Rev. I. Franklin Smiley, o
IImlngtOn, a classmate Of the de
cCaN"d at Princeton Theological
Seminary, and the Rev. A. Lathem
OF Chester, spoke.
The pallbearers were George /
M"dlII, Robert J. Colbert, Nathan
NJ, Mothorall, Orlando X. Strahorn
DR.. Charles w. Dunlevy, Edga
HcMulIen, Harry N. Reed AM
fobort S. Gallaher.
The attendance was UNUSUAL.
large and the floral tributes mum
trouS. lnterment was made Il
Head Of Christiana cemetery.
Mrs. Rowan and the children i
1S understood will remain in New
ark.
Professor Cummings to