John M. Rowan
Encyclopedia
John M. Rowan was born May 17, 1829 in Craig County, Virginia
. When he was about sixteen years old he came to Gap Mills, West Virginia
to work as a clerk for Andrew Summers. He worked there for several years until the California Gold Rush
in 1849. After receiving word about this new opportunity he joined in partnership with several other man and purchased a ship at Richmond, Virginia
. The ship was provisioned for two years and then set on its journey around Cape Horn
and to California. It was here that John had a fair amount of success with his gold hunting. After his successful time in California
he returned to Gap Mills where he married Virginia Summers in 1855. On April 23, 1857, Virginia gave birth to a son, Andrew Summers Rowan
, who was named for her father. In 1860 and 1862 he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates
. He became a Democratic
member of the West Virginia
House of Delegates
, serving as Speaker of the House from 1887-1889. In 1891 he was appointed to the newly-created state board of agriculture and from 1892-1896 served as State Treasurer
. In 1904, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
.
Craig County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,091 people, 2,060 households, and 1,507 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile . There were 2,554 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
. When he was about sixteen years old he came to Gap Mills, West Virginia
Gap Mills, West Virginia
Gap Mills is an unincorporated community in Monroe County, West Virginia, United States. Gap Mills is located on West Virginia Route 3 east of Union. The community was established in 1775. Gap Mills has a post office with ZIP code 24941....
to work as a clerk for Andrew Summers. He worked there for several years until the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
in 1849. After receiving word about this new opportunity he joined in partnership with several other man and purchased a ship at Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. The ship was provisioned for two years and then set on its journey around Cape Horn
Cape Horn
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island...
and to California. It was here that John had a fair amount of success with his gold hunting. After his successful time in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
he returned to Gap Mills where he married Virginia Summers in 1855. On April 23, 1857, Virginia gave birth to a son, Andrew Summers Rowan
Andrew Summers Rowan
Andrew Summers Rowan was an American Army officer who served as the liaison between the United States and Cuban rebels led by General Calixto García during the Spanish American War....
, who was named for her father. In 1860 and 1862 he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
. He became a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
, serving as Speaker of the House from 1887-1889. In 1891 he was appointed to the newly-created state board of agriculture and from 1892-1896 served as State Treasurer
State Treasurer
In the state governments of the United States, 49 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. Texas abolished the position of Texas State Treasurer in 1996....
. In 1904, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
.