Bienville County Louisiana Archives Biographies.....Rowell, Caleb M. September 29, 1833 - March 23, 1914
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Doug McBroom doug324@aol.com February 21, 2007, 7:46 pm
Author: Doug McBroom
My Great-Great-Grandfather was Caleb M. ROWELL. He was born 29 Sep 1833 in
Darlington District SC and died 23 Mar 1914 in Sparta, Bienville Parish LA.
Grandpa Caleb married twice. He married (1) Nancy Jane DUNN 30 Jun 1853 in
Wilcox County AL, daughter of J. DUNN and Susannah. She was born 1 Mar 1833
in Escambia County AL and died 1868 in Sparta, Bienville Parish LA. He
married (2) Caroline Delanie RUSTON 17 Jul 1870 in Sparta, Bienville Parish
LA, daughter of William RUSTON and Mary SIMPSON. She was born 3 Oct 1849 in
Mississippi and died 24 Apr 1923 in Castor, Bienville Parish LA. Grandpa
Caleb and his wives are buried in Old Sparta Cemetery, Bienville Parish LA.
Grandpa Caleb’s parents were John Jehu ROWELL (1783 SC – before 1870 Wilcox
County AL) and Rebecca (about 1795 – about 1837 SC). They are buried in Bear
Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Caladonia AL, but only “stones” marking their
gravesites. We believe John and Rebecca had five children: Daughter (born
about 1818), Son (born about 1818), John Jehu Jr. (1826 – before 1865), Caleb
M. (1833 – 1914), and Susan Caroline (1836 – aft 1910). Grandpa Caleb’s
father John Jehu married second Sarah Catherine PEARSON on 14 May 1837 in
Wilcox County AL. They had six children: Margaret A. (1838 – 1934), Robert F.
(1840 – 1901, twin), William S. (1840 – 1906, twin), James D. (1844 – 1900),
Catherine F. (1847 – after 1920), and Nancy Jane (1848 – after 1910). All of
John’s children stayed in Alabama except for Grandpa Caleb.
Grandpa Caleb sold his land in Wilcox County AL in 1861 and moved to North
Louisiana. He settled in Sparta, which was located between Jamestown and
Bienville, but gradually Sparta closed after the railroad was built through
Arcadia. The Sparta Post Office closed in 1924 and today, only the cemetery
remains. Grandpa Caleb enlisted in the Confederacy, Louisiana Infantry, 11th
Battalion, Company C (later consolidated with the Crescent Regiment) in
Natchitoches LA and we believe was at the Battle of Mansfield in April 1864,
which was the last decisive battle victory won by the Confederate troops. He
was at the Mount Lebanon (LA) Confederate Hospital when the war ended,
although he does not list any injuries on his pension application. Grandpa
Caleb filed and was approved for a $17.00 per quarter pension in June 1911,
which Grandma Caroline received after his death. His pension application
includes his date and place of birth, military service record, and places the
value of his property at $250. He signed both his enlistment form and pension
application with an “X”. He described himself as a farmer, with blue eyes,
black hair, fair complexion, and as six foot tall. After the War, he was a
farmer and worked at the Mount Lebanon Hospital. He owned 130 acres and his
estate was valued at $844 when he died in 1914.
Little is know about his wife Nancy Jane DUNN. Her tombstone (name only) in
Old Sparta Cemetery by Caleb’s traditional, military-white tombstone, was
placed there by descendants. Grandma Nancy is listed in Grandma Caroline’s
Bible. Grandma Caroline (picture above) was a housewife and midwife, often
requiring Grandpa Caleb to saddle her horse so she could go and care for her
patient. It was a “big, beautiful horse, and she would ride side-saddle”.
She delivered several of her grandchildren, to include my Granda Hazel Etoy
ROWELL PLUNKETT. Grandma Nancy's tombstone (name only) was also purchased by
descendants and placed by Grandpa Caleb’s tombstone. Grandma Caroline died in
1923, while living with her son Benjamin Clyde.
Grandpa Caleb ROWELL was the father of fifteen children. His children with
Nancy DUNN were:
(1) Annie Jane ROWELL was born 16 Apr 1854 in Oakhill, Wilcox County AL, and
died 24 Nov 1938 in Greenville, Butler County AL. She married Zachary
Taylor "Zack" ALLEN 30 Dec 1876 in Caledonia, Wilcox County AL, son of Warren
ALLEN and Elizabeth UNKNOWN. He was born Jan 1849 in Wilcox County AL and
died 05 Aug 1913 in Greenville, Butler County AL. Annie was a housewife and
worked on the farm. She was the only one of Grandpa Caleb’s children to
remain in Alabama and was married at her Grandpa John ROWELL’s home. She was
buried in Forest Home Cemetery per her death certificatee, but no tombstone
remains. Her husband (a farmer) was buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Greenville
AL, per his death certificate, but he also does not have a tombstone. Their
children were James, Grace Ina Jean, Mary, Bilbro B. “Bill”, Jack O’Neal,
Katie, Joe, and an infant son.
(2) James Wiley ROWELL was born 29 Mar 1856 in Wilcox County AL and died 10
Dec 1908 in East Point, Red River Parish LA of “swamp fever”. He married
Sadie Ann GARNER 29 May 1879 in Bienville Parish LA, daughter of Green GARNER
and Elizabeth DILDY. She was born 31 Jul 1859 in Atlantic, Gwinnett County GA
and died 8 Dec 1950 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish LA. James Wiley was a farmer,
fisherman and operated a ferry. He sold his 80 acres in Sparta LA in 1895 and
moved to Loggy Bayou LA. Sadie was a housewife. Both are buried in
Springhill Baptist Church Cemetery in Bienville Parish LA. Their children
were Berry M., Mertie May, Evie Irean, Leonard Linden, William Edward, and
Ollie Belle, and James Adrian.
(3) Lewis Edward ROWELL was born 12 Jul 1858 in Wilcox County AL and died 25
Sep 1944 in Bienville Parish LA. He married Martha Ann "Mattie" PERSON 15 Jun
1886 in Bienville Parish LA, daughter of John PERSON and Mary RUSTON. She was
born 19 Jan 1867 in Bienville Parish LA, and died 30 Nov 1961 in Castor,
Bienville Parish LA. Lewis was a farmer and Mattie a housewife. Both are
buried in Little Hope Cemetery, Castor LA. Their children were Hassel Melton,
John Wilson "Radio", Visie Janice “Janie”, Mollie Ann, James Nelson, Edna,
Edward, and Carrie R.
(4) Lawrence Orvel ROWELL was born 1860 in Wilcox County AL and died about
1875 in Bienville Parish LA. Although no tombstone remains, we believe he is
buried in Old Sparta Cemetery with his parents.
(5) William Charles "Charly" ROWELL was born 1865 in Bienville Parish LA and
died before 1923. A death certificate was not filed in Louisiana and he is
not listed with his mother and siblings on their 1923 mortgage documents. No
other information is known.
(6) Catherine Alice "Kate" ROWELL was born 4 Nov 1867 in Bienville Parish LA
and died 4 Nov 1954 in Louisiana. She married Talley Garrison DICKERSON, son
of John DICKERSON and Mary CLOUD. He was born 15 Jan 1858 in Jackson Parish
LA and died 19 Dec 1947 in Winnsboro, Franklin Parish LA. She was a housewife
and handwritten on the only photograph of her I have seen is, “Cherokee, Old
Indian”. That is the only document I have seen listing her as an Indian.
She was a housewife and Talley a farmer and blacksmith. They are buried in
Oak Grove Cemetery, Winnsboro LA, but neither has a tombstone. Their children
were: Ruby Mae, Spivey, John, Mary, Garrison Fuller, Atlas, Henry G., Annie
Lamora, and Lassie Mae.
Grandpa Caleb ROWELL’s children with Caroline Delanie RUSTON were:
(7) R. Thomas "Tommy" ROWELL was born Jul 1871 in Sparta, Bienville Parish
LA, and died 19 Jan 1910 in Bienville Parish LA. He married Nancy Ellen HAY 2
Apr 1899 in Bienville Parish LA daughter of Daniel C. HAY and Nancy Ann
BODDIE. She was born 17 Mar 1873 in Louisiana and died 26 Dec 1931. He was a
farmer and died after falling from a tree. His wife Nancy later married
Joseph Calvin AYRES and is buried with him in Old Ramah Cemetery, Ashland LA.
(8) William Jahugh "Bill" ROWELL (my great-grandfather) was born 25 Nov 1873
in Sparta, Bienville Parish LA, and died 24 Jun 1956 in Fryeburg, Bienville
Parish LA. He married Letha Lavora "Pete" BULLOCK 17 Aug 1899 in Haughton,
Bossier Parish LA, daughter of Robert BULLOCK and Harriett ROSS. She was born
8 Jan 1880 in New Hebron, Lawrence County MS, and died 7 Apr 1962 in
Jamestown, Bienville Parish LA. Grandpa Bill was a farmer, about 74 inches
tall, slender, blue eyes and dark hair. He lived in Bienville Parish his
entire life. “Granny Bill” was a housewife, 64 inches tall, grey eyes, and
brown hair and known for making “tea cakes” for the grandchildren. They are
buried in Old Castor Cemetery, Castor LA. Their children were Corrie Dee, Leo
Glen, Iris Lavora, Huey Dale, Cecil Butler, Ross Arlow, William Jahugh Jr.,
Hazel Etoy (my grandmother), and William Robert.
(9) Susie Benette "Susie" ROWELL was born 2 Mar 1877 in Sparta, Bienville
Parish LA, and died 24 Aug 1960 in Jamestown, Bienville Parish LA. She
married George Benjamin WAITES 17 Jun 1895 in Jamestown, Bienville Parish LA,
son of Mark WAITES and Rosa LYBRAND. He was born 17 Jun 1866 in Rockford,
Coosa County AL, and died 18 Feb 1940 in Jamestown, Bienville Parish LA.
Susie was a housewife and George a farmer and “fiddle” player. They are
buried in Providence Baptist Church Cemetery, Ringgold LA. Their children
were George W. Albert, Ida Lou, Catherine Olivia, Rosa Carolina, Infant Son,
and Ila Lavora.
(10) Martha A. Viola "Peggy" ROWELL was born Aug 1880 in Sparta, Bienville
Parish LA and died 1944 in Bienville Parish LA. She married Elige L. "Elgie"
HAY 22 Jun 1898 in Bienville Parish, LA, son of Daniel HAY and Nancy BODDIE.
He was born 4 Mar 1874 in Bienville Parish, LA, and died 5 Oct 1919 in
Bienville, Bienville Parish LA. She was a housewife and Elige a farmer. They
are buried in Camp Grounds Cemetery, Bienville LA. Their children were Nettie
J., Caleb Daniel "Pat", Ola D. "Ollie", Sam, Clyde Daniel "Case", Artie N.,
Elige "Dude", and W. O.
(11) Stephen Caleb ROWELL was born 3 May 1882 in Sparta, Bienville Parish
LA, and died 25 Nov 1956 in Jamestown, Bienville Parish LA. He married Mary
Elizabeth BASINGER 13 Sep 1906 in Bienville Parish LA, daughter of William
BASINGER and Cornelia MILLER. She was born 25 Jan 1883 in North Carolina and
died 27 Nov 1930 in Louisiana. He was a farmer, a widower for 26 years, and
Mary a housewife. They are buried in New Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery,
Castor LA. Their children were Suzie Mae, Adron Dee "Hoss", A. C. “Boots”, L.
D. "Trid", Effie Colon, George Odie, and Delaney Ann.
(12) Johnny Carl ROWELL was born 26 Mar 1886 in Sparta, Bienville Parish LA,
and died 2 May 1958 in Jamestown, Bienville Parish LA. He married Sarah
Jane "Janie" BASINGER 24 Jan 1909 in Bienville Parish, LA, daughter of William
BASINGER and Cornelia MILLER. She was born 4 Feb 1893 in Rosebud, White
County AR, and died 4 May 1963 in Jamestown, Bienville Parish LA. He was a
farmer (owned 48 acres), blacksmith, and gunsmith and Sarah a housewife. They
are buried in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Ringgold LA. Their
children were William Caleb "Buck", Robert Carl "Tobe", R. T., Ollie
Odel "Odie", Barney Harrell "Barna", Nealie Caroline, Ora Lee, Adell, John L.,
Maggie Roberta, Tommie Ivy, James Carl "J.C.", and Mary Jane. Uncle Johnny’s
family is detailed in the book, Bienville Parish History, Vol I.
(13) Francis C. "Fannie" ROWELL, born 9 Sep 1888 in Sparta, Bienville Parish
LA, and died 16 Jan 1958 in Fryeburg, Bienville Parish LA. She married
Eugene "Gene" BASINGER 16 Dec 1906 in Bienville Parish LA, son of William
BASINGER and Cornelia MILLER. He was born 10 Dec 1885 in North Carolina and
died 21 Feb 1957 in Fryeburg, Bienville Parish LA. She was described as
petite, strong willed, and with a green thumb (flowers and vegetables). She
was a housewife and he worked in the oil fields. They are buried in
Providence Baptist Church Cemetery, Ringgold LA. Their family history, with
pictures, was published in the book, “A Basinger Memoir”, in 2004. Their
children are Idonia "Ida", Etta Minyon, Trudie Catherine "Trudy", Roscoe P.,
Larule Chester, Eddie Abanell, Phodie LaFaye, Leon Howell, and Delwyn
Tucker "Bubba".
(14) Benjamin Clyde ROWELL, born 26 Jun 1893 in Sparta, Bienville, LA; died 28
Mar 1968 in Caplis, Bossier, LA. He married Jennie Abitha HINTON 14 Feb 1915
in Sparta, Bienville Parish LA, daughter of John HINTON and Annie BECKHAM.
She was born 8 Sep 1900 in Mineola, Wood County TX, and died 22 Jan 1970 in
Ringgold, Bienville Parish LA. He was a farmer, blacksmith and logger and she
a housewife. They are buried in Providence Baptist Church Cemetery, Ringgold
LA. There children are Leolie, Benjamin Clyde "Bennie", William Alton, Clyvon
Delaney, Infant Son, Dozzell Woodard, Robert James and Floyd Oliver.
The name “ROWELL” is listed in the book British Family Names as follows:
ROWELL, a location north of Gloucester, or from Rouelles, France. Gloucester
is in the sourthern part of Great Britain, its western border not far from the
Principality of Wales. We believe Caleb descends from Jeremiah (born about
1694 in Wales) and Mary ROWELL, who can be found in the Welsh Tract church and
land records, Darlington County SC, from 1734 to 1787.
Many of Grandpa Caleb’s descendants continue to live in North Louisiana, with
several ROWELL family reunions held each year.
My thanks to Pat Rowell Tucker, Ronnie Killingsworth, Steven Hadwin, Jim
Rowell, and our many Rowell cousins everywhere for sharing their family
stories.
Doug McBroom
902 Kilgore Ct, Allen TX 75013, doug324@aol.com
15 July 2006
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