Hiram Rowley (1794-1878)
The Rowley family came from the east coast. Their descendents date back to the Mayflower.
Hiram Rowley was born March 22, 1794 in Rutland Vermont to Elihu Rowley (1772-1850) and Chloe Manley (1780-1878). He married Elizabeth “Betsy” Wheeler (1793-1876) at age 23 in 1817 and moved to Knox County, Ohio, where they lived the rest of their lives.
They had three children:
Ellen A Rowley 1818-1881
Olney Perry Rowley 1821-1885
John R Rowley 1825-1881
In 1860 Hiram is listed as a 64 year old laborer, not a stone cutter.
Hiram Rowley died in 1879 at the age of 84. Betsey died in 1876.
Olney Perry Rowley
Olney Perry Rowley was born February 1, 1821 in Knox County to Hiram Rowley (1794-1878) and Elizabeth “Betsy” Wheeler (1793-1876). He married Mary Elizabeth McKenzie on August 12, 1843. They lived all their lives in Gambier.
They had four children:
John Rufus Rowley 1844-1919
Hiram Ignatius Rowley 1847-1921
Olney George Rowley 1849-1919
Noah Schenk Rowley 1856-1909
In 1860 Olney was identified as a farmer, not a stone cutter. He would have been 40 years old at the time the chapel was constructed.
Olney died November 26, 1885 and Mary died December 30, 1888 and both are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Gambier, Ohio.
John Rufus Rowley(1844-191 9) served in the Civil War, 96th B and 96th C of the Ohio Infantry from 1862 to 1865. He qualified for an “Invalid Pension”. He was 18 when he enlisted.
Olney George Rowley (1849-1919) served in the Civil War the 80th Ohio Infantry for only several months in 1862, perhaps because he was only 13 years old.
John R Rowley
John R Rowley was born in 1825 in Knox County to Hiram and Elizabeth. There is no further information.
The Rowley family plays an important role in the history of Quarry Chapel and it is difficult to imagine they did not participate in the construction phase.
The Rowley family continues to be active with Quarry Chapel.
If you are a descendant please contact us.
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