Thomas R. Rowe (1857 - 1934)

Born 13 Jan 1857 in Floyd County, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Joseph) Rowe — married 5 Apr 1879 in OKlahoma

Husband of Jannette (Ballard) Rowe — married 1916 in Oklahoma, United States

Died 31 Jan 1934 at age 77 in McCurtain, Haskell, Oklahoma, United States

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Biography

Thomas Rowe's life journey, from his roots in Kentucky to his final days in Oklahoma, is a testament to the spirit of adaptability and resilience that characterized the lives of many Americans during the turn of the 20th century. Born to William Row (~1833 - >1900) and Mary (Wadkins) Row (1836 - 1878). , Thomas was a bridge between past and future, his name honoring his maternal ancestors and embodying the family's reverence for heritage.^[1]

His union with Sarah (Joseph) Rowe (1864-1936) in 1879 blended two Kentucky lineages, embarking on a life journey together that would navigate the shifts of time and tide across the American landscape.^[2] Their lives were enriched by the birth of ten children, though only seven would survive to see the dawn of the new century. This reality, poignant in its reflection of the era's harsh conditions, underscored the resilience of the family.

The move to Saline, Arkansas, near Little Rock, in 1888 marked a bold step towards realizing their dreams, driven by the allure of land ownership. By the 1900 census, their commitment had borne fruit, with their own piece of America to call home, a testament to their hard work and determination. However, they would relocate again.^[3]

The move to Bryan County, Oklahoma, in the early 20th century presented new challenges and opportunities. This area, freshly incorporated into the state from Choctaw Lands, was a tapestry of cultural and economic change. Here, Thomas and Sarah's life was filled with community engagement, from church events to social gatherings, reflecting their integration into the social fabric of their new home. The inclusion of their married daughter Maggie, her husband Thomas Cooper, and a boarder named Albert Toliver in their household painted a picture of a bustling, dynamic family life.^[4]

However, Sarah's story takes a mysterious turn around 1915. Historical records leave room for speculation—did she pass away, or did the winds of change carry her back to the familiar hills of Kentucky? This ambiguity adds a layer of intrigue to the Rowe family narrative, a poignant reminder of the incomplete tapestries of history we often encounter.

Thomas, facing life's vicissitudes with the resilience that had always defined him, found companionship and new beginnings with Janette Ballard in 1916.^[5] Their life together, filled with community engagement and agricultural pursuits, notably Thomas's famed strawberry crops, spoke to a man who, despite the uncertainties of life, never ceased to plant seeds for the future.

Thomas died on 31 Jan 1934 in McCurtain, Haskell, Oklahoma aged 77 after a short illness. Thomas was mentioned on a memorial in Felker Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery, Felker, McCurtain County, Oklahoma with a death date of 31 Jan 1934.^[6]

Research Notes

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZ19-8R5 : Fri Mar 08 22:04:52 UTC 2024), Entry for Wm Row and Polly Row, 1860.
2. ↑ "Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWRZ-8YN : 29 November 2023), Thomas, 1879.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3XW-7TF : Wed Mar 06 08:31:09 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Row and Sarah Row, 1900.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLQT-8VN : Sun Mar 10 22:11:05 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Row and Sarah Row, 1910.
5. ↑ Marriage: "Oklahoma, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1890-1995"
   Original data: Marriage Records. Oklahoma Marriages. Various Oklahoma County marriage collections
   Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
   Ancestry Record 61379 #63586704 ($, accessed 13 March 2024)
   Tom Row (60) marriage to Nettie James on 5 May 1916 in McCurtain, Oklahoma, USA.
6. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #9404054 (accessed 13 March 2024)
   Memorial page for Thomas Row (13 Jan 1857-31 Jan 1934), citing Felker Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery, Felker, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, USA.

• 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1930; Census Place: Wilson, McCurtain, Oklahoma; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0036; FHL microfilm: 2341647
  Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
  Ancestry Record 6224 #94268864 ($, accessed 13 March 2024)
  Thomas Row (76), married, Farmer, head of household in Wilson, McCurtain, Oklahoma, USA. Born in Kentucky.

See Also:

• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCCN-15F

• "The Howards of Eastern Kentucky" by the Magoffin County Historical Society. Page 151 and 172.