1907 History of Allegan County, Michigan Illustrated Compiled under the Editorial Supervison of Dr. Henry F. Thomas Allegan Lewis Publishing Company Transcribed by Sue Baroski

E.C. Rowe

E. C. Rowe whose intense and well ! directed activity have made him one of the prominent business men of Allegan county, is one of the stockholders in the Rowe Brothers Manufacturing Company. This enterprise is of the utmost value in the town as a factor in its commercial and industrial activity, and in the management of the business Mr. Rowe has displayed thorough understanding of the trade in its practical branches as well as keen business discernment that results in securing upon the market a ready sale of the product. His life record began in Hastings township, Barry County, Michigan. His father, Joseph Rowe, was a native of England, and when a young man sailed for America. On the voyage he was married on shipboard to Elizabeth Watson, and bringing his bride to Michigan, he resided for some time in Barry county, where he followed the trade of a stone mason, which he learned in his native land. He is now engaged in that business in Grand Rapids In the family are two sons and two daughters, E.. G. Rowe being the you! ngest. The others in order of birth are: Mrs. Minnie Fry, Mrs. Hattie Cable and J. Henry.

At the usual age E. C. Rowe began his education in the public schools near his father’s home, and when he had put aside his text books he learned the trade of spindle carving at Grand Rapids, Michigan in which he continued for seven years. During the last three years of that time he was in business on his own account as a partner in the Furniture City Dowel Company, at Grand Rapids. At length the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Rowe and brother removed the machinery to Allegan, where he organized the Rowe Brothers Manufacturing Company, being associated with his brother, J. Henry. After a short time, however the latter sold his interest. The incorporation took place in 1905 with I.P. Griswold as president; J. Henry Rowe, vice president and manager; Dr. C. W. Young, secretary, and Fred I Chichester, treasurer. In 1906 the following officers were elected: B.B. Sutphin, president; ! Dr. William E. Rowe, vice president; Dr. C.W. Young, secretary; Fred I. Chichester, treasurer, and E. C. Rowe, manager. The company does all kinds of wood work, spindle work and carving, and has a well equipped plant supplied with the latest improved machinery necessary for work along this line. Its product is now quite extensive and is found to be most salable, for there is constant demand for the output. Mr. Rowe married in Grand Rapids, in 1903, to Irene Brannam, who was born in Lake City. They now have one daughter, Eva E., whose birth occurred in Allegan. Mr. Rowe is a stalwart Republican, interested in the success and growth of his party, yet not desiring office for himself. Fraternally he is connected with the Maccabees. He is regarded as one of the leading young men of the village, energetic and enterprising, with keen insight into business conditions and ready recognition of opportunities, all of which characteristics combine to make him a successful man.






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