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ROWE John Edgar

John Edgar ROWE (1880-1941)(62) and

Evaline Eva nee HOCKEY (1880-1955)(76)

She was a trained teacher, registered in 1905 in the Perth Registration District.
John was born in Moonta, South Australia c1880, son of Stephen and Jennifer Rowe.

 

YOUGENUP ROAD, GNOWANGERUP   1912                 #1

In 1910 Richardson's general store of Katanning opened a branch in Gnowangerup and appointed as its manager J. E. Rowe, John was employed as a "Commission Agent'.
In time John took it over as his own business.

At this stage there was no official post office and as a voluntary service Rowe did his best to see that the mail reached its destination.
He enlisted in WW1, and Evaline went to work as a teacher at Quellington, near York, during the time John served overseas. He returned to Australia in May 1919.

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J. E. ROWE & Co STORE, YOUGENUP ROAD, GNOWANGERUP  1912                  #2

 

His wife possessed musical and theatrical talents and from the beginning was a driving force in the locally organised entertainment, never sparing herself.
"Children loved her and responded to her instruction in singing and acting wholeheartedly".
"Yet another body, the Baptist Church, had held a concert in aid of their building fund with great financial gain, so that the building was expected to begin almost at once. On the programme there had been featured several ‘action songs by a company of juveniles trained by Mrs J. E. Rowe’.” (Great Southern Herald 3 August 1912)
Pearl Marshall wrote: “Mrs. E. Rowe served the (Baptist) church for many years and in many capacities, and always with zeal, untiring energy, dauntless courage and in all things was an organiser of great ability. At various times Mrs. Rowe held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Organist, Choir Master, Organiser of Services and Sunday School teacher. Mrs. Rowe had a rare gift with children, training them to take part in little concerts or choral items, bringing great delight to many in this way. Mrs. Rowe was quick to help those in need and in the name of the church many were the words of condolence sent to those in grief or sickness.
Those who knew her best knew she loved the church and its many associations and I believe it was a great satisfaction to her that the church was ultimately able to buy her home for a Manse. Mrs. Rowe's work and love for the church is commemorated by the communion table dedicated to her memory”(p33).
John was a dynamic community worker and a trusted friend to many residents. He was a local Justice of the Peace and the Secretary of the Gnowangerup Hospital Board.

 

Evaline was Secretary of the R.S.L. Women’ Auxiliary in 1935 and was presented with the R.S.L. League’s Certificate of Service in 1938.
Also a member of the CWA for 7 years, - Mrs. Rowe at that time ran a combined Sunday School, which was greatly appreciated by parents of the district."
They had a daughter named Marjorie who married Dick Pozzi.
John died 28 July 1941 aged 62; Evaline died 23 June 1955, and they were both buried at the Gnowangerup Cemetery.

GNOWANGERUP R. S. L. WOMENS AUXILERY                  #3
Rear L - R:   DORIS THOMPSON, MADEL FREEGARD, DOROTHY WHITE
Front L - R:   Mrs. EDGLEY, DOROTHY STEWART, Mrs. FENNELL, MARY JANE HEAD
Seated L - R:    EVALINE ROWE,  MARJORIE POZZI
 

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

 

References:                 Article:        ‘Gnowangerup The Town My Story’ Published 1993 by Pearl Marshall
                                                   " The Fruit of the Country’ The History of the Shire of Gnowangerup Western Australia’ by Merle Bignell Published 1977
                                                   ‘The Great Southern Herald’ Trove 3 August 1912

                                  Image:       1, 2, 3

 

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024