Useful activities engaged the attention of Charles Augustus Rowe throughout a long and worthy lifetime. Both in his individual responsibilities and as a progressive citizen of Reading, he gave to his day and generation an example of commendable sincerity and faithfulness to duty. A man of large energy, trained in an important field, he began life in construction activities, and then later identified himself with transportation interests, but the principle part of his career was spent with the Reading Hardware Company. A veteran of the Civil War, he served for more than three years in that struggle, meeting the duties of the time with calmness and unfailing courage even under the most trying circumstances. Always gifted with the ability to make friends and possessing that nature which retains permanent friendships, even the most casual, Mr. Rowe was widely mourned when death removed him from Reading, although long years of illness and suffering preceded his passing.
Henry Rowe, father of Charles A. Rowe, was for many years a well-known citizen of Reading, and was a leading shoemaker of his day in a time when all footwear was made by hand. He constructed a shoe shop throughout his active career, and the excellence of his work made him one of the successful and widely sought men in his field of endeavor. He was one of the early influential Republicans of Berks County, and was a member of Trinity Church. In 1838, Henry Rowe married Angeline Seitzinger, a descendent of Nicholas Seitzinger, one of the famous Revolutionary heroes of Berks County. She died in Reading in 1877. The children of these parents were: Elvira, wife of Henry Pott; Anna, wife of John Umpleby, and they reside in Topeka, Kansas, he being eighty-eight years old; Emma, wife of John Levan; Charles Augustus, of further mention; Henry, deceased; Agnes, deceased; Catherine, deceased; Susan, wife of Ezra High; William, husband of Sallie Engel, deceased; Daniel, husband of Clara Myers; and Rosa, wife of Arthur H. Kretz.
Charles Augustus Rowe was born in Reading, April 15, 1840, and died in Reading, at the South Sixth Street home, June 21, 1908. His boyhood days were spent in Reading, attending the public schools and gaining the breadth of culture, which is obtainable by any youth with studious mind at the progressive institutions of the city. As a young man he learned the trade of brick mason and for some years worked at this trade, participating in the erection of the most important buildings of that period in and about Reading. He then entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company as fireman on their freight trains on the Lebanon Valley branch. Soon rising to the position of locomotive engineer, he followed that route for many years, making his home in Reading, but serving on the important trains of the line, in the capacity of engineer. With the passing of the years and the strain of this great responsibility, Mr. Rowe resigned from the railroad to accept a position as stationary engineer in the employ of the Reading Hardware Company. In the great manufacturing plant of that concern, he remained for many years, as engineer, then, as with advancing age he desired to lay aside heavy work, he was made night watchman for the same concern. His health definitely failed some years later and he was stricken with paralysis, but lingered for twelve years, during the greater part of that time in helplessness. His devoted wife and daughter cared for him during this time of suffering and he passed away eventually, serene in his faith in God.
Mr. Rowe's Military record began with his enlistment in the Civil War, August 14, 1861, in Company E, 46th Regiment Volunteer Infantry. He rose to the rank of sergeant; he was wounded at Lookout Mountain, (Battle Above the Clouds), when twelve men, one by one, were shot down ahead of him, each trying to save the flag. Mr. Rowe was the thirteenth that attempted the gallant dash for the colors, but, although wounded, he did not lose his life. The family now has in their possession part of the flag, which he thus preserved from dishonor. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Rowe was a staunch Republican and did much for the progress and growth of the party, although never in an official way. He was a man of eminently domestic tastes, finding his greatest pleasure in the comforts of his fireside and the companionship of his loved ones. He was a worthy citizen in every sense of the word, and was a consistent member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Charles Augustus Rowe married in 1868 in Reading, Mary Madeline Fritz, born in Birdsboro, Berks County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Fritz. Mrs. Rowe died January 4, 1913, her passing closing the life of a beautiful charity and devotion to the well being of her family. She was a devout Christian woman, and a member of Christ Episcopal Church. Mr. And Mrs. Rowe were the parents of three children: Daniel Fritz, who died in infancy, Mary M., who is and has been for many years, a teacher in the public schools of Reading; and Daisy B. a milliner. The Misses Rowe maintain the beautiful home at No. 104 South Sixth Street. They are active in the work of Christ Episcopal Church.
According to the 1880 Census, the name was spelled ROW. It originated as RAU, changed to ROW and then ROWE.