William E. Rowe and Asenath J. Melvin were married in this county on January 29, 1863; he was born in Pike County, Kentucky, on August 9, 1835; while his wife was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, on November 22, 1845. The father of William (Reuben Rowe) died May 6, 1856, and his mother, Clara (Fry), died October 8, 1880; they came to this county in 1828.
John B. Melvin and Rhoda (Gore) Melvin are the parents of Mrs. Rowe; they settled in this county in 1813.
Mr. Rowe was a soldier in the war of 1861; he served three years in the 5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry; he took part in the following engagements:
- Second Bull Run, where he was wounded in the left hand;
- in the battles around Lynchburg, under General Pope
- All the battles in the Shenandoah Valley, under General Sheridan.
Three brothers of Mr. Rowe also served in the war.
- Lloyd was taken prisoner but was only held for one day.
- Stephen was wounded and taken prisoner in Pike County, Kentucky, in 1863, by bushwhackers, and was held as a prisoner for three months.
- Reuben H. was a member of the 39th Kentucky, serving three years.
- William Rowe, the subject of this sketch, was promoted to orderly sergeant in February 1862; on May 1, 1862, he was promoted to the second lieutenant; and on May 14, 1863, to the first lieutenant.
- James M. Melvin, a brother of Mrs. Rowe, was a member of the 195th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving to the close of the war.
- John B. Melvin, the father of Mrs. Rowe, was in the 14th Kentucky Infantry, serving fifteen months.
Mr. Rowe has held several county offices, among them commissioner for six years, township treasurer for ten years, township assessor in 1872, and other offices. He is engaged in farming in Lawrence township. Post office address, Rock Camp, Lawrence County, Ohio.
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