William Rueben Rowley was born in Governor, New York on February 8, 1824. In the early 1840’s he moved to Brown County, Ohio where he taught school. During the mid-1840’s Rowley relocated to Scales Mound, Illinois where he continued teaching.
In 1847, he married Elizabeth Miller and they had four children. Around this time Rowley was appointed Assessor and Collector for Jo Daviess County. He also held a number of county government positions such as Deputy Circuit Clerk and Sheriff.
When the Civil War began, the Rowleys had moved to Galena and were living at 515 Hill Street. (You will see this house on the West Side Tour.)
In November of 1861 William Rowley became a First Lieutenant in Company “D” of the 45th Illinois Volunteers. After the battle of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, in February of 1862, Rowley was commissioned Captain and aide-de-camp to Grant. Rowley served gallantly in the battle of Shiloh, and during the Vicksburg, Mississippi campaign in 1863. When Grant was promoted to Lt. General in March 1864, Rowley was appointed Lt. Colonel and Military Secretary on his staff. Less than a year later he resigned due to health issues.
Rowley retuned to Galena and resumed his former position as Circuit Clerk of Jo Daviess County. In July of 1866, upon the recommendation of General Grant, Rowley was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers by Brevet, for his gallant and meritorious service during the war.
In 1869, the Rowley’s purchased the residence now located at 305 Park Avenue. (Seen on the East Side Tour.) During the 1870’s William Rowley and his son Lewis, ran a real estate and insurance business on Main Street. Rowley was later elected County Judge, a position that he held for nine years until his death in February of 1886 at the age of 62. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Galena.
